​The Nomination: Ashlynn Prince; She has a taste for the world as shown when she studied abroad in Japan for six weeks the summer of her sophomore year. She is extremely artistic and wants to inspire others the way the world has inspired her over the years. Art Club

​
​How did your art career begin? When did you start getting interested in art? 
​
My mom is the elementary art teacher at my school—naturally, I as I grew up, I wanted to do art, too, and she always supported me in my growing passion. In about seventh grade, I started to get serious about the arts—music, traditional art, digital art, writing, all of it. My high school art teacher, Lisa French, is my amazing mentor and good friend, and she has helped me so much throughout my high school career.

​Where does most of your art inspiration come from? What is your one favorite piece you have created? Why? 
​
Most of my inspiration comes from the world around me; other art pieces online or near me. Other times is it solely on my emotions and experiences. I am still learning and growing in the art world, so it’s very impossible to pick a favorite art piece of mine, but I am very proud of my murals honoring Vietnam War Veterans, which I painted with my best friend, Summer Rose Rohrer.

Tell us about your trip to Japan. 
​
My trip to Japan included my first plane ride—or, should I say my first seven plane rides? Through Youth for Understanding (YFU), I was granted a scholarship and the unbelievable opportunity to stay with a host family for six weeks as well as attend high school in Ichinomiya, Aichi during the summer of my sophomore year.
​

​
What were some interesting places you saw? 
​
I saw the Japanese Sky Tree, went to Shirakawa-go, Tanabata (The Star Festival) in Ichinomiya, and Nagoya Castle, and experienced so much of their culture. My host family consisted of nine people other than me: 5 boys, 4 girls—and their cat. They were so welcoming, and they made my trip unforgettable. 

What was your favorite part about the whole trip? 

There’s just no way that I can pick a favorite part of the trip; it was all so sensational. I will never forget the people that supported me and the experiences I had in Japan. It was life-changing and gave me a thirst to explore the world around me.
​
I would love to go back to Japan to visit my host family and explore some more! 

​
​Where is another location you would want to visit? Why would you want to go here? What would you do when you arrived to your dream location? 

I plan to study abroad in college; I would love to go Italy, France, Britain, or Japan again. In the far future, I want to live in one of the aforementioned countries and pursue my career in animation.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
​
Don’t wait around for someone to chase your dreams for you. You have to work, and branch out, and let those around you support you when you step out of your comfort zone. And never, ever, stop dreaming.

​Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
I am going to attend Webster University for animation, and I want to travel the world, inspiring everyone I can the same way my family and the world has inspired me.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I try to look on the positive, and I dream all the time. I work to pursue my dreams, even though I am a small-town girl who just wants to explore the world around me.

How do you keep yourself organized with everything you have on your plate?
Well, that one’s tricky; I just go with the flow. I keep my dates straight by writing them down in a planner, and the rest of the time I have to spare is pretty much just balancing my life as I go.

​What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in your nomination?
I love watching anime and sniffing out animators online.

Who do you find inspiring?
My parents have inspired me my whole life. I want to work like they have to provide for me and my siblings, and I want to do it while doing what I love. I want to make them proud.

Pizza or Tacos? Soda or Water? Cats or Dogs?
Pizza. Water. Dogs. Period.

3 Things on your bucket list
Eating pasta in Italy, making enough money to buy my parents a great house in a great place, and hosting at least one foreign exchange student.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
I couldn’t be where I am today without the support of my friends and family. I will always hold them dear and I will make them proud. I am ready to move on from home, but I will never forget the arms the held me up throughout my life. I thank them and love them all. I would also like to again thank Inspiring Teens Magazine and Esther Luna for this amazing opportunity to share my story!


Ashlynn Prince will be featured in Issue 20 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​The History of Stockholm, Sweden - Written by Amanda Wisner
Stockholms historia, Sverige - Skriven av Amanda Wisner

Upon coming across this article, you may have thought: “Isn’t this an article in an earlier issue?” And, yes, it is practically the ‘sister article’ to The History of Gothenburg, Sweden, which I wrote about a year ago, but I chose to venture into a different city. This city is the capital and most populated city in Sweden. This particular city is Stockholm, Sweden, and the city that will be featured in this article. 
Stockholm dates all the way back to the thirteenth century, as time was nearing to the end of the Middle Ages, which had taken place from 1201 to 1300. At the time, trade and commerce were popular all across Europe, and many new towns were founded throughout these years. In the year 1252, Birger Jarl, (the regent of Sweden at the time) had founded the Stockholm.

Fast forward to 1289, Stockholm had been described as the largest place in Sweden, despite it seeming small to people today. 211 years later, Stockholm was a small city with a population of approximately 6,000 people. 

However, not all good things last forever, right? In this case, that’s correct. In 1519, the King of Denmark had invaded Sweden, and a year later he had seized Stockholm and had over eighty Swedish nobles executed for not sharing the same beliefs as he wanted the city to have, which is known as heresy. This series of events had been known as the “Stockholm Bloodbath”. Contrary to the terrible turn of events, in 1523, the Swede Gustav Vasa had recaptured the city. 
Moving forward to the seventeenth century, Sweden was a great power to Europe. Stockholm had begun to flourish. By the end of the seventeenth century, the population was approximately 50,000 people. Between 1641 and 1674, Riddarhuset, The House of Nobility was being built. But as quickly as everything had begun to thrive, through 1710-1711, plague had torn through the city, and an abounding amount of people had died. Not lowering its reputation as a city, Stockholm had recovered and flourished once again in the eighteenth century.

Following the plague, Tullgarn Palace was built in 1720, the Royal Palace was opened in 1754, the Obelisk was created in 1799, and the statue of King Gustav III was also sculpted in 1799. 
Throughout the mid-nineteenth century, Stockholm had been an extremely unhealthy city. With a lack of sewers and no piped water supply, there were most likely smaller illnesses and all types of ‘colds’ that, without a doubt, would have spread like wildfire. However, in the late nineteenth century, Sweden had transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. (In 1850, Stockholm held a population of 93,000, and by the twentieth century, it had grown to approximately 300,000). 

As Sweden had begun to flourish as an industrial country as a whole, many inventions had cancelled out the poor plumbing systems and other issues that were apparent (especially in Stockholm). For example, Stockholm had gained gas light in 1853, then a piped water supply was introduced in the 1860's. Following this, the National Museum was created and built in 1866, Stockholm Central Railway Station was constructed in 1871, horse drawn trams began running in Stockholm in 1877, followed by the first electric trams, which were introduced in 1901. While transportation and business were growing rapidly, the educational and historic parts of Stockholm were also brought into the light. Stockholm University was founded in 1877, the Swedish Army Museum was opened in 1879, Skansen Open Air Museum was introduced in 1891, the Biological Museum was introduced to the public in 1893, and Stockholm Music Museum had been founded in 1899. 
As a reader, you may be thinking “Wow, Stockholm flourished faster than anything!” And really, it had. As it continued to grow, the extremely successful city hadn’t brought disappointment, and continued to thrive throughout the twentieth century.

​Here’s a list / timeline of many more successes (with a minor downfall or two) that took place in Stockholm:
1628 - The Vasa (a Swedish ship) sinks
1905 - The Parliament House is constructed
1906 - The Postal Museum is introduced to the public
1907 - The Nordic Museum is built
1923 - City Hall is constructed
1943 - The Museum of National Antiques opens
Approximately Mid-Twentieth Century - Stockholm escapes damage by bombing in World War II; a program is created to modernize the city (This program included many old homes being demolished and replaced)
1953 - The Museum of Dance opens 
1961 - The Vasa is recovered and put on display in a museum
1986 - The Medieval Museum is introduced to the public

Throughout the years of its existence, Stockholm has overcome several obstacles on the way to becoming a wonderful, successful city. Nonetheless, from new inventions being put into use for the sake of the citizens’ health and safety to many museums celebrating the history of Stockholm, the city is now an unbelievably stunning and impressive city. The capital of Sweden is a popular tourist attraction, in which the industry shares its part in the city. From starting at a population of approximately 6,000 people in 1300, Stockholm is now the most populated city in the Scandinavian region, holding a population of about 960,031 people as of 2017.

​What inspired you to start playing volleyball?
I started as a basketball player at the age of 4 but at age 7 I watched my older cousin, Abbie, play a high school volleyball game and knew that volleyball was the sport for me. I started playing that next season and loved it. I hope that I have been able to inspire another young athlete the way Abbie inspired me.

What has been the biggest challenge being a student athlete and how have you overcome it?
My biggest challenge being a student athlete is finding the time to balance my volleyball schedule and rigorous school curriculum. Playing volleyball all year round, overcoming it has not been easy but sacrificing social events to make time for academics has been well worth it.

In your opinion, what is the most rewarding part of being an athlete?
Although there are many, if I had to narrow it down to one reward it would be the family like bond I have made with my teammates past and present. I have built many friendships with coaches and players that mean so much to me. I know they will last a lifetime.

​
Is there anything else besides volleyball that you are well known for?
I love to travel! My family has always made travel a priority and I have been lucky enough to see a lot of the world. I enjoy seeing and participating in the customs of other cultures. This has been such a big part of my life that my family even took our photographer, Jennifer Dunn, on a couple trips with us to capture my love for traveling. I hope to continue this into my adulthood.

What are your plans for the future?
I plan to attend college and become a Speech Pathology/American Sign Language major. I have a passion to help people and tend to gravitate towards children. I hope to have a career working with special needs children. 

Alexis was featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

1. Check the weather for your location.  Pack your clothes based off the temperature. Bring layers if you’re unsure, or if it is going to be chilly bring a jacket.
2. Don’t forget toiletries! If you are going to be in the heat pack a lot of deodorant and perfume.
3. Wear the right shoes. If you are planning on walking a lot bring sneakers, but if you are going to a beach bring flip flops!
4. Stuff for your Hair.  Most hotels don’t have the best hair products, so bring your own shampoo and conditioner. In addition, anti-frizz spray, as well as dry shampoo, can be a lifesaver in different climates.
5. Makeup. Blotting pads can be a necessity in hot locations. In addition, make sure to keep all liquids contained so they don’t spill.
6. Clothes. Make sure all your outfits are picture ready because based off of your location
you can take cool pictures! Always bring a backup outfit in case your outfit isn’t appropriate for the setting.

1. Go surfing at Waikiki beach
2. Go snorkeling at Shark’s Cove
3. Do the tom tom/ makapu’u trail and reach the puka
4. Try scuba diving
5. Watch the sunset at Waikiki Beach
6. Visit the Dole Plantation
7. Jump off the rock at Waimea Beach Park
8. Try shrimp at the north shore
9. Swim with sharks
10. Try to surf the waves at Sandy Beach
11. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay
12. Visit the Honolulu Art Museum
13. Go to the Aloha Stadium Meet and Swap flea market
14. Try shaved ice at Waiola
15. Jump off the rocks and snorkel at Alan Davis
16. Explore the north shore beaches
17. Get malasadas from Leonard’s bakery
18. Visit the Ko Olina lagoons and try and find the secret beach
​

Other Handy Tips:
·        When you want to order food, you can say je voudrais… which means I would like…
·        Make friends! Ask how someone is doing by saying Ça va? If they ask you, reply by saying bien, merci. Et toi? (Good, thank you. And you?)
·        If you don’t understand what someone is saying just simply say Je ne comprends pas (I do not understand)
·        Confused about how to pronounce a word in English? Don’t sweat! Just ask Comment dit-on… en français?

 In our world, there are many popular countries, many iconic places, and several historic, yet beautiful cities. One of these colorful, astonishing cities is Gothenburg, Sweden. Also known as; in Swedish; Göteborg, this place is Sweden’s chief seaport and and second largest city, one city behind Stockholm. Gothenburg lies along the Göta River estuary, which is near Kattegat.

 Back in 1603, Gothenburg was first founded by King Charles IX. The placement of the city was out of strategy, since at the time, the Göta River estuary was Sweden’s only direct outlet to the Atlantic Ocean back then. However, during the Kalmar War against Denmark, Gothenburg was destroyed, but later refounded by King Gustav Adolf II in 1619, and was chartered two years later, in 1621.

Moving forward to the Eighteenth Century, Gothenburg’s prosperity increased with the development of the Swedish East India Company. Later on, during Napoleon's continental blockade, the port became Europe’s chief market for British goods. Another period of wealth rose in Gothenburg, in the year 1832 when the Göta Canal was completed, and a transoceanic shipping service was on the rise.
 Gothenburg has a few post-principal exports, which include the automobile brand Volvo, ball bearings, and paper. Along with these, shipbuilding yards on the island of Hisingen (Closer to the north) were important at one time, and the industry had ended in the 1970s. Thanks to the Göta Canal and railway lines, Gothenburg is connected to the rest of Sweden, and also with nearly Landvetter Airports, which support both domestic and international air traffic.

 Today, Gothenburg includes magnificent landscaping and beautiful towns, which feature an old, welcoming feel to them, along with a sense of organization and comfort.
​
Overall, Gothenburg, Sweden holds a great history, along with beautiful scenes that adjectives cannot give justice to. With amazing architecture, welcoming cities, and overall beauty, Gothenburg is an astonishing city with many loveable features.

Photo: Le Champs-Elysee (1998) taken by my dad, Matt Soloff,
when he traveled to France while studying abroad in Israel.
 
Q: What country did you travel to?
A: France
 
Q: Do they speak a different language there? If so, what language?
A: Yes, French
 
Q: What was your experience communicating with the people there?
A: The French people were not so nice, especially if you didn't speak French. If you
     did speak French, they were nicer, but they were cold to English speakers.
 
Q: What was your favorite landmark or attraction? Why?
A: Le Champs-Elysee in Paris because I like shopping.
 
Q: Explain some of the cultural differences or traditions that you enjoyed or thought  
      were interesting during your time there.
A: Meal time in France takes a lot longer. You eat for 20 minutes and then sit and     
     talk for 45. It's a lot more community bonding. People at the beaches are not
     wearing clothes and that was just normal there.
 
Q: Did this trip inspire you to want to travel to another country? If so, where would
     you like to go and why?
A: Yes! I want to go to Sweden, Turkey, Columbia, and back to France. I have family
     in Sweden I’d like to visit. I want to see the architecture in Turkey. I know lots of
     people from Columbia and I enjoy the culture.
 
Q: Do you feel traveling abroad is something that all teens should experience? Why
     or why not?
A: Yes, because it opens them to new cultures and helps them understand how the  
     world works outside of the little bubble of their own country.
 
 
Since I haven’t traveled abroad and because I am very eager to, I decided to interview a local teen that has. I was excited when I learned that Mark has traveled to France. I am taking French this semester and I am very interested in the language and culture. We’ve learned about Paris and Le Champs-Elysee in class, so it was awesome to be able to hear from someone who’d actually been there. Mark was very fortunate to have been able to visit France. I agree that teens should have an opportunity to travel to another country. I love learning about history and different cultures and can’t wait for my chance to visit another country.  I’m glad I had the chance to interview Mark. He inspired me to travel even more! I’d even like to study abroad someday like my dad did in college. Until then, au revoir!

If you are a young college student who is given the opportunity to study abroad, definitely don’t pass it up. No matter what country it is, studying abroad is truly an experience of a lifetime. I started by study abroad journey in Florence, Italy about a month ago and since coming here I have seen so many amazing things.
 
Here are some of the top things I suggest doing while studying in Europe:
1.      On the weekends, travel to as many places as possible. When you’re studying abroad, most schools don’t assign mandatory classes on Fridays so that you have longer weekends to travel. When you’re in Europe it is super easy to travel since countries are so close together. Since coming here, I have ventured outside of the country once and I have been to two other Italian cities. Throughout the course of the semester, I will be visiting 14 more cities and six more countries.
2.      Take advantages of galleries and museums. There are some amazing pieces placed in museums all throughout Europe. Even if art may not be your thing, I would still suggest seeing as many museums as possible because each piece tells an amazing story about history. Trust me, learning history through art is 1,000 times better than sitting in a class listening to a teacher talk for hours. You may even find a piece you really like and fall in love with a something new.
3.      Expand your palette and try some local foods! A big part of the study abroad experience is adapting to cultures and becoming one with the locals. So maybe do something crazy and try some lampredotto and gelato in Italy, chocolate and cheese in Switzerland, or even steak tartare and macarons in France.
4.      Spend some time exploring your own city. When you find yourself sitting in your apartment with nothing to do, definitely use that time to your advantage and walk to some new places. Don’t use a GPS for this, see where the streets take you. If you do this, finding your way around the city on a daily basis will become so much easier. Who knows, you might even find some hidden gems right around the corner.
5.      Do something adventurous! Conquer your fears! I just recently did something super adventurous in Switzerland and I am so happy that I did. I got to paraglide over the Swiss Alps and it really opened my eyes to how truly beautiful this world is. I’m not suggesting jump off a mountain like I did, but if you ever get the opportunity to do something as amazing as this, definitely don’t turn it down. You will not regret it and it will be something you can talk about for the rest of your life.
 
And most importantly…
6.      Enjoy yourself and have the time of your life! Treasure every day and spend your time doing amazing things. Don’t waste a single minute while you’re studying abroad because sooner than you know it, it will all be over.
​

In the United States, different states have different laws. There are many strange and bizarre laws throughout America. Here are some strange and bizarre laws from  each state that I bet you never heard of before. Which ones are your favorite?
 
In Alabama, it is illegal to wear a fake mustache that causes laughter.
In Alaska, it is illegal to whisper in someone’s ear while they are moose hunting.
In Arizona, you can’t walk through a hotel lobby with spurs on.
In Arkansas, it is unlawful to walk one’s cow down main street after 1:00 PM on Sunday.
In California, it is illegal to rob a birds nest from a public cemetery .
In Colorado, it is unlawful to walk under a ladder .
In Connecticut, it is against the law to see a UFO.
In Delaware, women may not drive while wearing a housecoat.
In Florida, it is illegal to eat cottage cheese on Sunday after 6:00 PM.
In Georgia, donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs.
In Hawaii, by law, twins must not work for the same company.
In Idaho, bicycles are not allowed on tennis courts.
In Illinois, it is against the law to make faces at dogs.
In Indiana, it is against the law to pass a horse on the street.
In Iowa, horses are forbidden to eat fire hydrants.
In Kansas, hitting a vending machine that stole your money is illegal.
In Kentucky, is it illegal to put an ice cream cone in your pocket.
In Louisiana, “fake” wrestling matches are prohibited.
In Maine, dog leashes may not be over 8 feet in length.
In Maryland, it is illegal to mistreat oysters.
In Massachusetts, it is illegal to read newspapers or books on the streets after 8 PM.
In Michigan, alligators may not be tied to fire hydrants.
In Minnesota, animals may not sleep in bakeries.
In Mississippi, you can’t honk horns because it might scare horses.
In Missouri, it is illegal to honk someone else’s horn.
In Montana, is is illegal for married women to go fishing alone on Sundays.
In Nebraska, sneezing or burping is illegal in a church service.
In Nevada, it is illegal to have a spray painted shopping cart in your basement.
In New Hampshire, it is illegal to pick seaweed off the beach.
In New Jersey, it is illegal to slurp your soup in public places.
In New Mexico, it is illegal to carry a lunchbox down a main street.
In New York, it is illegal to shine shoes after 1:00 PM on a Sunday.
In North Carolina, it is illegal to sell cotton lint at night.
In North Dakota, it is illegal to keep an elk in a sandbox in your backyard.
In Ohio, it is illegal for stores to sell cornflakes on Sunday.
In Oklahoma, clothes may not be washed in bird baths.
In Oregon, it is illegal to eat a donut while walking backwards on a city street.
In Pennsylvania, you can’t sit down while watering your lawn with a hose.
In Rhode Island, you may not sell toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday.
In South Carolina, it is illegal to shine a flashlight on a sea turtle.
In South Dakota, it is illegal to fall asleep in a cheese factory.
In Tennessee, it is illegal to roller skate and listen to the radio at the same time.
In Texas, it is illegal to milk another person's cow.
In Utah, no one may walk down the street carrying a paper bag with a violin.
In Vermont, it is illegal to whistle underwater.
In Virginia, it is illegal to hunt any animal besides racoons on Sundays.
In Washington, it’s illegal to buy a mattress on Sunday.
In West Virginia, one may not walk a lion, tiger or leopard, even on a leash.
In Wisconsin, it is illegal to produce cheese that is not “highly pleasing”.
In Wyoming, it is illegal to take a picture of a rabbit from January to April without a permit.
​

I went to Bermuda last summer on a cruise. This is a picture of one of the towns that I visited called King’s Wharf. The sun was just setting, and the sky seemed to light up the palm trees. It was beautiful!
​

 
1)      Why did you travel to Spain?

I traveled to Spain because I wanted to meet new people, work on my Spanish and experience what it was like in a different country.
2)      What were your feelings about traveling to Spain?

I was very excited for the experience, but I was also nervous about being away from my family.
3)      What was your first impression of Spain when you arrived?

I was very cool and different. In a way it was different from the town of Idaho I live in, but it had the same idea as Idaho.
4)      What were some of the major differences between the United States and Spain?

The language barrier and the types of food they eat and the rules they have in place.
5)      What do they have in Spain that you wish we had in the United States?

Their food in Spain is good and we don’t have anything like it in Idaho.
6)      What was your favorite food dish you ate in Spain?

My favorite meal was a dish with yellow rice, shrimp, clams, and mussels
7)      What did you dislike about Spain?

I didn’t dislike anything! I loved it all.
8)      What was the best thing about going to Spain as a foreign exchange student?

Meeting new people and the lifestyle
9)      What was so different about their lifestyle from ours?

Well their rules are very different for example, one night I came downstairs for dinner with bare feet and my host family made me go upstairs and put on socks. They cared a lot about me and were very protective.
10)   Finally, how long were you in Spain?

​ I spent three week there.

Is it possible to travel the whole world in one day? Well believe it or not Walt Disney made it possible by creating Disney’s Epcot. Epcot is a Disney park that showcases 11 countries of the world; Mexico, Italy, Norway, France, United Kingdom, China, Germany, America, Canada, Morocco and Japan.

​When it first opened on October 1st, 1982, two people from each of these countries brought a container of water from their nation and poured it into the fountain to show they are all unified.  This fountain still stands today and is known as the Fountain of Nations. Epcot is one of the best places to eat because there are all different types of food to enjoy and most of it is very healthy with the exception of desserts. There are over 30 tons of fruits and veggies grown and served in the restaurants in Epcot.
I know that if I go to Epcot one place that I always have to visit is Mexico. Mexico has to be one of the best countries in Epcot because the people in Mexico are the best at making really beautiful and colorful art. Mexico also has amazing food and the servers they are fantastic they are fast and very nice. Mexico also has a ride that a lot of people don’t know about and it’s called the Gran Fiesta Tour and it is a water boat ride I have always loved this ride because it is funny but at the same time relaxing.
China is also a great place to visit in Epcot for souvenirs. When I went to China in Epcot and I got a Chinese fan and I went up to the desk to pay for it and the offered to write my name in Chinese on it!!! So cool! Also, China is one of the most relaxing countries and if you take a close look at the pavilion you will find many amazing carvings that you may not notice at first glance. China is the kind of place that you can look at and just admire all of the beauty.
If you like fish and chips The United Kingdom is the place to go they defiantly have the BEST fish and chips I have ever had. But there is more than just amazing food there!  A few of your favorite Disney characters such as Mary Poppins, Alice and Snow White can sometimes be found. Also, I thought that the red telephone booths were so much fun to play and take photos in.
I hope you get the chance to travel through the world in just one day.

How did you find out about the Zero Gravity jump rope team?
Zero Gravity was started by members of an old team I was on based in Bucks County. I was with Zero Gravity from the beginning because I had the privilege of my friends actually creating and building the team.

How old were you when you started jump roping?
I was six years old and it was the summer before first grade.

What inspired you to start jump roping?
I started through a summer camp. This then evolved to being on the school team the same year. It just grew from there and I will always tell people I will jump until my legs fall off.

What are the different categories of jump rope?
There are many different categories of jump rope, (over thirteen to be exact). Some categories include double dutch, single rope speed, single rope power, and freestyle routines. There are many categories that branch off from these that are all unique in their own ways. These categories are also judged differently so It is a pretty cool system.

What is your favorite category to perform?
My favorite events are singles freestyle and any double dutch freestyle event, especially in pairs. I also recently started to like triples, which is a category under power that you can start at fifteen.

What is the hardest thing about jump rope?
There isn’t really one specific hard thing about jump rope. There are a bunch of little things that you personally can find hard based in your own stamina and endurance. Personally, I find speed events hard and talking myself into doing new tricks. The mental game can drag you down, so you have to have a new sense of trust with yourself.

Is there anything you dislike about jump rope?
There is nothing that I will ever dislike about jump rope. I may complain time to time about a speed workout, but I will never dislike it because it makes me better, and it feels amazing in the end. I get a big sense of accomplishment at the end of practice, so there will never be any dislikes or regrets that I will associate with jump rope.

What is your favorite part about being able to jump rope for others around the country?
It’s extremely refreshing to share my passion and spread education about fun exercise. It’s great to see the looks on people’s faces, especially kids, when you are jumping double dutch or on a pogo stick. I have also had people call me their hero and ask for my autograph, which is really cool and amazing since I know I touched someone in some way.

What is your favorite routine you have performed?
My favorite competition routine I have ever performed was my singles freestyle last year at the regional competition in Maryland. It is my favorite because I got first place and I had just recovered from an injury, so it was hard to practice and super rewarding after awards. My favorite performance routine was at St Joseph’s two years ago because it was the first performance as Zero Gravity and it was during Christmas, so it was like a miracle to see the crowd get so into our routine.

What are some of the coolest places you have traveled with Zero Gravity?
The coolest place I have been to with Zero Gravity is Disney World in Orlando. It was so cool to experience this for the first time with my closest friends. Also, competing in the ESPN World of Sports complex. It was an experience like no other! The coolest place we have ever performed was at Madison Square Garden. It was so cool because it is such a well-known stadium and is like a dream come true to perform there!

I heard you went to the Junior Olympics, can you tell me more about that?
Yes, I went to the Junior Olympics two years ago in Houston, Texas. It was a great experience as a team since it was our first major competition, and everyone did so well! It was also extremely cool because there were other sports competing in the same building, so we were exposed to more unique sports such as cup stacking. Being there exposed us to the competitive world of other sports like cup stacking, as I mentioned, and sports like cheer and gymnastics.

What was the road you took to get to the Junior Olympics?
The process was long and hard, practice was at least twice a week for three hours each. Also, we went to smaller competitions to prepare ourselves since we had never competed before. In the end it was extremely rewarding, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

What was your favorite part about competing in the Junior Olympics?
My favorite part about competing in the Junior Olympics has got to be the feeling of community and utter support from every team there and especially your own team. This competition really opened me up to the world of competitive jump rope where you can be friends with people from North Carolina, Virginia, and even Australia. It got me used to how a competition worked and that is very valuable going forward.

What other competitions have you competed in?
I have competed in various competitions in Maryland and about three regional competitions. The biggest competition I have ever competed in was last year at nationals in Florida. You must qualify at a regional competition in order to go to nationals or junior Olympics and right now my team is planning to go to nationals again.

Do you keep track of all the states you’ve competed in?
I keep a map of the United States on a shelf in my room and I stick push pins in the states where jump rope has taken me.

What is one of the biggest things you have gotten out of jump rope?
Jump rope has been a great way for me to explore many different places in the United States. I have also gotten to see many colleges and even consider some to apply to in the future.