Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Aubrey Julian

1/17/2020

Aubrey Julian - Tennessee
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Meagan Hofmann
Issue 29 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Aubrey Julian is one of the most amazing girls you will ever meet! Her Dad is a career navy man and their family have moved a lot throughout the years (she is attending her 11th school) which can be very difficult. No matter what she has kept her upbeat charismatic personality, making friends wherever she goes.
Aubrey has been a scholar athlete all four years of high school. She is a captain of varsity lacrosse, varsity golf, as well as a member of the bowling team. And she doesn't stop there! Aubrey is an active member of the Key Club & Community of Chair of FCCLA. Her non-school activities include volunteering at the Humane Society, hunting (including bow hunting) and fishing!
Aubrey has so much ambition and a really great role model to her peers and younger sisters!
Aubrey has such a bright future ahead and we know that she will do amazing at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas next year!

Photography by Meagan Hofmann

What it is like going to 11 different schools?
I think that it’s really unique to be able to say I’ve gone to 11 different schools. Every area is different, so being able to adapt to different places has been a fun challenge. I believe that since I started moving at such an early age, it had gotten to be a norm. As I got older, it became more difficult, and even now I envy people who have been in one place all their lives. It’s always a struggle leaving people who I’ve gotten to know and love.

What kind of experiences do you have with the Community of Chair of FCCLA?
Being the Community Chair in FCCLA has been an awesome experience. I always try to get involved with my community, no matter where we move. Overseeing finding ways to have my peers get involved and give back to their community as well as doing it myself, has been really fulfilling.

Photography by Meagan Hofmann

What are the benefits of being a military child?
Being a military child has been a life changing experience. I have gotten to see more places at 18, than most people do in an entire lifetime. My Navy Dad has taught me to be punctual, diligent, and responsible. He’s learned these traits are essential from seeing it affect him and people in his workplace. I have also learned how to adapt to new places and their atmospheres, which are really going to help me in the future. Being a military child has given me the opportunity to prepare for the rest of my life.

How has being a military child impacted you and your sisters?
I believe that being a part of the military has brought my sisters and I closer. Every time we move, we only have each other for the first few weeks. We depend on each other and can go to each other for anything. My sisters and I are each other’s one constant; we know we aren’t going to be separated or have to move away from each other. We have created a bond that I genuinely think is unbreakable.

Photography by Meagan Hofmann

Congratulations on getting accepted into Sam Houston State University! What do you want to study and why?
I plan to major in Kinesiology and minor in Family and Consumer Sciences. I plan to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist, and getting a degree in Kinesiology is a beginning step toward this goal. I also would like to be able to help families be smarter with their money as a financial planner; a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with help me get there.

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing that I have accomplished, was finding who I am. I have grown up seeing so many different personality types, all with flaws and beauties of their own. I would find myself trying to be who people wanted me to be. The girl I was becoming wasn’t someone I liked, so I decided to allow myself to like the things that weren’t considered “cool”. I allowed myself to be who I wanted to be, instead of the girl that would be accepted by my peers.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I would tell them to keep their head up. A lot of people get discouraged when something difficult comes their way, but I think it’s very important for them to realize they are so much stronger than they can imagine. Life can be full of setbacks, but you have to push through them for a better outcome.

Photography by Meagan Hofmann

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
Five years from now, I want my life to be officially started. By then I will have finished college and have a steady job somewhere in Texas. I want to be giving back to my community through my work, as well as still being an avid volunteer.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in your nomination?
Unlike most girls my age, I love to hunt and fish. My dad, uncles, and grandpa have been taking me since I was 8. I love the feeling of being able to help provide for my family, while also spending quality time with the people who have impacted me.

3 Things on your bucket list
Adopt a rescue animal
Wake up to see the sunrise for a week
Hunt in Alaska

Who do you find inspiring?
I find Sadie Robertson very inspiring. She has been a role model since I was 10 years old. She has always stayed true to who she is and to her roots. Sadie also is very close to God. She has always been so faithful both to God and her family. She continues to spread the word of the gospel and shares her journey with her fans.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think that my ability to overcome obstacles makes me inspiring. When I’m forced to move, I hold my head up, and look for the positives that come with it. I have excelled in school despite being taught differently at each school. I believe I have a drive that keeps me pushing myself to be strong, no matter what life throws at me.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
I am extremely excited to be a part of the magazine. I really went outside my comfort zone, by accepting Meagan’s offer to model for her. I’m so glad that I did though, because I never would have thought that an average girl, like me, would ever be able to get the opportunity to be in a magazine.

If you have an idea for a teen who is inspiring enough to be interviewed, please list them here and tell us why you think they would be perfect for the next issue of our magazine. (They wouldn't be contacted until your issue is closed):
Meili Tanzillo
Meili was adopted from China at a very young age. She has many siblings, who she helps care for. She plays varsity lacrosse and is set to be a Captain in the 2021 season. Her sister, Aubrey, Died from cancer during 2019. Meili has been through so much and she has an amazing story to share.

Aubrey will be featured in Issue 29 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 29

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Alexis Filmer

3/20/2019

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Alexis Filmer - Indiana
Interview by Sierra Zaccagnino
Nomination & Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The nomination: Alexis is an AMAZING volleyball player! To know her in person you wouldn't expect her to be so aggressive on the court, but she is! She is a sweet, kind and funny girl too!

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.

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

click here to purchase inspiring teens magazine

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Mallory Lough

2/20/2019

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Mallory Lough
Interview by Larissa Chelius
Nomination & Photography by Sharon Holy Photography
Ohio
Issue 15

The nomination: Mallory brightens any room with her smile. She holds a 4.44 GPA, participates in many school organizations, and is a talented athlete. She’s been playing both school and Junior Olympic volleyball since she was nine. Mallory earned a scholarship to play college volleyball at UMass Boston where she will study nursing.

Playing on JO team since age 9: I’ve been playing with the same girls all my years. It’s been such a fun experience. I’ve been able to travel to cities I would’ve never gotten to go to at my age: Indianapolis, Columbus, Chicago, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Texas, Colorado, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and many more. I’ve loved getting to know all the girls, coaches, and directors and really have grown as a player and person. I have learned how to work together as a team and grown as a team leader.

The JO Volleyball team is very competitive. With high school volleyball teams, coaches do not pick their teams or players, it’s just whoever is a student at the school plays there and goes through a tryout process. Whereas with JO, it’s the best of the best players being recruited from many different area Clubs. Every Club is trying to put together the most talented team in the surrounding area. Everyone wants to play, be the best, and win. I am very competitive and love to excel in everything I do. I've been very fortunate to play for the top team throughout my JO years and we have qualified for Nationals each year to compete further with the top teams around the country.

I have gotten very good at time management with trying to do most of my homework in school or car rides or any free time I get to keep my GPA high. I just really work hard on my grades and value my academics a lot and really want to do well. I stay disciplined both on and off the court, and in the classroom.

UMASS was my top choice because I knew I wanted to major in Nursing in college, but a lot of universities do not support it, due to its difficulty, except UMass. I never wanted to go to college far away, but right when I met the girls and coaches and set foot on the campus, I just knew it was a great fit for me. When I found out about my scholarship to UMass, I was overly ecstatic. I do not think there are any words to describe the feeling of all your hard work, determination, and perseverance pay off. It’s just such a rewarding feeling.

I am interest in nursing because I am a very compassionate caring person, who wants to make sure everyone is always okay. When I was growing up, I loved playing babies and pretending to be a doctor. I dream and hope to become a pediatric nurse and share my love and compassion for children in the medical field.

Mallory was featured in Issue 15.

Click here to purchase issue 15

click here to nominate an inspiring teen you know

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Aubrey Julian

Aubrey Julian - Tennessee
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Meagan Hofmann
Issue 29 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Alexis Filmer

Alexis Filmer - Indiana
Interview by Sierra Zaccagnino
Nomination & Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Mallory Lough

Mallory Lough
Interview by Larissa Chelius
Nomination & Photography by Sharon Holy Photography
Ohio
Issue 15

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Aubrey Julian

Aubrey Julian - TennesseeInterview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination and Photography by Meagan HofmannIssue 29 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Alexis Filmer

Alexis Filmer - IndianaInterview by Sierra ZaccagninoNomination & Photography by Jennifer Dunn PhotographyFeatured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

​Mallory Lough

​Mallory LoughInterview by Larissa CheliusNomination & Photography by Sharon Holy PhotographyOhioIssue 15

Featured

Archives

Categories

Aubrey Julian - Tennessee
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Meagan Hofmann
Issue 29 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Alexis Filmer - Indiana
Interview by Sierra Zaccagnino
Nomination & Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Mallory Lough

Mallory Lough
Interview by Larissa Chelius
Nomination & Photography by Sharon Holy Photography
Ohio
Issue 15