Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

EJ Workman

3/11/2019

EJ Workman - 16 - Kentucky
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nominated by Laurie Pruden
Photography by Tooley Photography
With additional images by KHSAA and Laurie Pruden
Issue 17 | Athlete

The Nomination: Emma Workman, works as a peer mentor in HS. She has received level 1 USBC coaching certificate, has learned her craft in the proshop, laying put and drilling balls. She helps coach her team mates in practice, and the younger kids in league play. She is a Region 1 singles champ, 4th in State, and qualified for Nationals.

Photography by Tooley Photography

What got you interested in bowling?

It interested me because a few of my friends were doing it and I wanted to see if I would potentially find a future in it.

Tell us more about your level one coaching certificate.

My level one coaching certificate allows me to help others when learning about bowling and help those who want to better themselves in the sport. It also helps me as a bowler better understand what I am doing wrong as well as what I am doing right

Photography by KHSAA

How does it feel to be bowling at the national tournament?

It is very overwhelming for sure. You just can't let your nerves get the best of you. This is the first time I have qualified for nationals as an individual. So, I feel that it is an honor just be able to compete at a national level and I am excited to see what the future holds.

Will you continue to bowl in the future? Why or why not?

Yes, I will continue to bowl in the future because it’s one thing I truly love and it's a great stress reliever. I believe that people should do what they love as their careers and bowling is a true passion of mine and I would love to continue it in the future.

Photography by Laurie Pruden

What are some of your duties as a peer mentor?

Some of my duties as a peer mentor include helping incoming freshman find their classes and become familiar with their surroundings and be a familiar face when they are lost or need help.

EJ will be featured in Issue 17 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here to nominate an inspiring teen you know

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Raven Tikka

2/27/2019

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Raven Tikka
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Paige Lemieux
Photography by Launa Penza Photography
California
Issue 18 | Sports

Raven Tikka is an inspiration to all that meet her. She is a competitive cheerleader and a World Champion on Californian Allstars Team Reckless. She has demonstrated her love for cheering as she recovers from a major ACL (knee) surgery. Recently she participated as an All-American cheerleader representing the United States in London's New Year Day Parade. She is the Captain of her high school team and a member of three teams covering cheer, stunt and competitive cheer. She also enjoys coaching. Her favorite are special needs cheerleaders, as they have so much love for the sport. When not doing cheer, she enjoys watching the Bachelor, hanging with friends and volunteering.

When did you start cheerleading and why?

I started cheering when I was 11 years old for Westlake Braves Youth Football and Cheer. I loved sideline cheer so much that when the season ended, I started looking for a gym to start tumbling so I could gain new skills, and joined CheerForce. I’ve been cheering ever since. I’m currently a member of California Allstar Team Reckless. It’s a level 6 international team and we are the 2018 World Champions. I still do sideline cheer for Oak Park High School as well as the newly recognized cheer sport called STUNT. I cheer for fun and I cheer competitively, but mostly I cheer because I love the physical and emotional challenges the sport offers.

Tell me about your experience walking in the New Year’s Eve London parade!

Being an All American Cheerleader is such an honor. The experience was amazing meeting cheerleaders from all over the United States, coming together to show our spirit. Walking the parade route was super fun, yet nerve racking at the same time. I loved taking in the sites of London and enjoying the winter weather. The highlight of the trip for me was watching the fireworks over The London Tower Bridge.

Other than coaching special needs kids, what age levels do you like coaching best and why?

That’s a tough question. I love kids and all the energy they bring. But I also enjoy the technical skills that come with higher skill levels. I like to work with the younger children sharing the love I have for cheer with them. I want them to have someone to look up to! I like working with the senior level teams helping them improve as they get older and better in the sport of cheer. I think that’s why coaches coach multiple teams, so they get a mix of skills, patience and chaos.

What were some things you did while you were recovering from your ACL injury?

Last year I destroyed my knee and my season with one tumbling pass. It’s taught me that tough times don’t last. Tough people do! I continued to go to practice for my three teams, plus physical therapy. Recovery is a slow heal and I learned how team extends beyond being on the mat.
Do you plan on continuing to cheer in the future?

I can’t imagine my life without cheer. I’m focusing on getting my skills back and looking forward to college tryouts this spring. I would like to cheer as long as my body and life allows me to.

What is your favorite season of the bachelor and why?
I loved Arie’s season. How he got in his head about what he thought would be better at the time (Becca) and forgot to follow his heart. It was so clear Lauren was the one. I’m so happy they got married in January and that Becca found love too.

Raven will be featured in Issue 18 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

click here to nominate an inspiring teen you know

click here to purchase inspiring teens magazine

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Caitlin Cowell

2/6/2019

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Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jaki Good Miller Photography
West Virginia

The Nomination: During the summer before her sophomore year, Caitlin Cowell’s hometown of Richwood, West Virginia was devastated by a flood that destroyed her high school and forced students to be relocated to an abandoned grade school. Despite the adversity, Caitlin has managed to do something few can boast—she is an upcoming freshman in the Harvard class of 2023. Caitlin is the senior class president, student council vice president, a member of National Honor Society, a majorette, the clarinet section leader, and the top varsity distance runner on her school’s track and cross country teams. A LEADER inside and outside of the classroom, Caitlin boasts many awards and honors including an AP Scholar award, three All-State track awards, and multiple titles as a part of the majorette line. She actively volunteers in her community and helps to serve her peers as a part of the Christian Young Life organization.

Tell us about your transition to the abandoned grade school after the devastating flood.
The transition between school situations following the flood was interesting, to say the least. It was an undeniably bleak scenario, but one that students, faculty, and the community as a whole worked to make the best of. The hardest part was the lack of space that the grade school/portable pods combo offered. The first year we had no room for science labs of any kind and teachers had to work harder to adapt their teaching plans to the space available. Three years later, there is still no room for quintessential high school activities like pep rallies, class tournaments, or Greek week festivities. It has taught everyone how important it is to cherish what you have and not dwell over what’s missing.

When did you become interested in cross country and track?
I started my running career in the 6th grade as a way to get involved at school. By the end of the season, I realized that I had the potential to be competitive in the sport. Running has taught me the value in hard work and determination and the importance of having a team that supports you along the way. It’s become such an important part of my life that I can’t imagine stopping anytime soon.

Photography by Jaki Good Miller

Tell us about you Christian Young Life Organization and your duties within.
The Young Life program has allowed me to serve others while exploring and cultivating a relationship of my own with my Creator. One of the truest lessons Young Life has taught me is how important it is to make sure your spiritual health is flourishing before you try to help others. I think that’s a lesson everyone needs to learn and can be applicable whether you are religious or not. I am a senior Young Life leader at my school. I help run Campaigners (Bible studies), Young Life Clubs, and help to spread God’s word. As a leader, I received the opportunity to serve as a “buddy” at a Young Life Capernaum camp. Capernaum was created solely for giving people with disabilities the chance to experience the love of God with no judgment. At camp, I saw the “outcasts” of society honored for their differences. It is an experience I will forever cherish.

Photography by Caitlin Cowell

Congratulations on getting into Harvard! I’m sure your family and community are excited for you! What is your success formula?
I am so proud of being accepted to such a prestigious school and joining such an accomplished class, but there was no secret formula for success that got me there. I’m a dreamer at my core. I knew I wanted to accomplish something out of the ordinary and worked every day to put that dream into fruition. I was lucky enough to have my friends, family, and school supporting me the whole way.

What are you most excited about when thinking about going to school there?
I love the town where I have grown up, but it is very typical of poor, rural areas in West Virginia. Families live in poverty and drug abuse is an issue, but there is a sense of community that is found nowhere else. More than anything, I am so excited to have the opportunity to experience life so different from what I’m used to. The diversity, freedom to explore your interests and map out your own education, and connections to the world made Harvard into a bit of a fairy tale for me. I hope to take what I learn there and implement it into my home-state and the world around me.

What will you be studying?
Currently, I want to study Cellular and Molecular Biology with the hopes of attending medical school.

What advice would you have to give younger teens on being inspiring (like you!)?
When I think of someone inspiring, I think of someone fighting for the rights of minorities, supporting the less fortunate, or overcoming insurmountable odds.
If you had to take anything from my story, I want it to be that you don’t have be great in all aspects to achieve your dreams. Find what you are passionate about and work every day to make it your reality.

Caitlin will be featured in Issue 17.

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen you know!

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EJ Workman

EJ Workman - 16 - Kentucky
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nominated by Laurie Pruden
Photography by Tooley Photography
With additional images by KHSAA and Laurie Pruden
Issue 17 | Athlete

Raven Tikka

Raven Tikka
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Paige Lemieux
Photography by Launa Penza Photography
California
Issue 18 | Sports

Caitlin Cowell

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jaki Good Miller Photography
West Virginia

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EJ Workman

EJ Workman - 16 - KentuckyInterview by Zoe D'AngeloNominated by Laurie PrudenPhotography by Tooley PhotographyWith additional images by KHSAA and Laurie PrudenIssue 17 | Athlete

Raven Tikka

Raven TikkaInterview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination by Paige LemieuxPhotography by Launa Penza PhotographyCaliforniaIssue 18 | Sports

Caitlin Cowell

Interview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination and Photography by Jaki Good Miller PhotographyWest Virginia

Featured

Archives

Categories

EJ Workman - 16 - Kentucky
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nominated by Laurie Pruden
Photography by Tooley Photography
With additional images by KHSAA and Laurie Pruden
Issue 17 | Athlete

Raven Tikka
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Paige Lemieux
Photography by Launa Penza Photography
California
Issue 18 | Sports

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jaki Good Miller Photography
West Virginia