Ciarra Brock

Ciarra Brock – Michigan
Nomination by Angela Hamilton
​Photography by Tiffany Marie Photography
Issue 96 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Ciarra Brock makes a positive impact wherever she goes. She takes pride in her academics, being a member of the National Honors Society, maintaining a 3.9+ GPA, while also taking several college classes. She is a three-sport athlete who serves as Team Captain, where she is a great leader and teammate. She enjoys helping everyone on her team, on and off the court and field. Ciarra also serves the Lord as a "Student of Service" at her church, organizing activities for Youth Group and Sunday Services, and volunteers at the nursery often.

Photography by Tiffany Marie Photography

​What inspiring qualities or accomplishments weren’t highlighted in your nomination?
In addition, something I value is, above all, my strong devotion to Christ. On August 13th, 2023, I decided to get baptized. This is something that I’m proud of and build my foundation on. Aside from this, I strive to be the best version of myself by being involved; therefore, I was on the part-time student dean’s list at my local junior college, I received academic all-conference honors on each sports team I have been on, First team all-conference honors, as well as MVP two times for soccer. I am also involved in Student Council, serving as the Vice-President.

What else would you like to talk about?
I’m currently looking forward to graduating high school in the top 10 of my class, and continuing my education in college to work towards becoming a Pediatric Occupational therapist because helping others is something I love to do, and children hold a special place in my heart.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Something I am very passionate about is friendships and the staple that they hold in my life. I have been blessed with the best friends who I’ve never doubted to be there for me. Showing ongoing support, encouragement, and care for me. I believe that I would be half the person I am today without the encouragement that my friends have given me along the way, and I am very grateful to have them. I believe that everyone deserves friends who love them for who they are and do everything with their best interest in mind.

How did you find your photographer and what did you love most about the experience?
I found my photographer, Tiffany, through one of our mutual friends who used her for a wedding. What I appreciated most about my experience with her was, first, her happy personality, which helped keep me motivated and engaged throughout our very long (5-hour) session. I also loved her enthusiasm and excitement behind the camera, always hyping me up. She is also very flexible, accommodating, and easy to work with, offering numerous sessions to ensure all of my senior picture dreams came true.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
The person who nominated me, my mom, has taught me the greatest life lesson: nothing comes easily; you must work hard for everything you get. Growing up, my mom worked three jobs to provide for my siblings, not only all we needed, but also sports, activities, and other events that we wanted to do. I know this is not something that she had to do, which is what I admire most about my mom. Not the fact that she did it, but the fact that she did it for me, for my siblings, instead of herself.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
Coming from someone who had little confidence and lower self-esteem as a child and adolescent, I want to be able to inspire others to overcome anything they might be struggling with. I was able to overcome so many challenges, and it made me the person I am today: a leader, a mentor, a successful student, and an athlete.

If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?
If I win a scholarship, I will use the money towards my education, as I plan to attend a 4-year university for my undergraduate degree, and then continue to graduate school.

What does being both a student-athlete and a leader on multiple teams teach you about balancing responsibility and teamwork?
Being both a student-athlete and a leader has taught me how to balance responsibility and teamwork by managing my time and priorities. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about giving direction, but also about showing it. I’ve learned to set an example by communicating clearly, especially when things get busy, supporting others when they need it, and not only keeping myself accountable, but being able to hold those around me accountable as well.

You mentioned your strong devotion to Christ—how has your faith influenced the way you approach challenges and leadership in school and sports?
My faith has greatly influenced the way I approach challenges and leadership. When facing difficult situations, I am reminded to stay patient and know that there is a purpose behind everything. In leadership, I aim to lead the way Jesus did, with love, kindness, and humbleness. My faith has influenced me to lead by putting others before myself, lifting them up and encouraging them, as leadership is about serving others, not being in charge or above others.

What was the experience of getting baptized like for you, and how has that moment shaped your outlook on life since then?
For me, getting baptized was a really powerful experience. It felt like a fresh start where I was finally handing everything over to Him and publicly committing to my promise to live with faith. Since then, I’ve tried to approach life with more forgiveness, gratitude, and patience. It reminds me that my identity is rooted i something way deeper than my circumstances, and to reflect my values daily.

How do you stay motivated to maintain such a high GPA while also being involved in so many extracurriculars?
My motivation really comes from my faith and my desire to use the opportunities that I’ve been given. I see my academics and extracurriculars as an opportunity to serve others. Therefore, even when things get stressful, I remind myself that I’m doing it for someone greater than myself, which helps me stay motivated. I also surround myself with people who remind me of this daily, keeping me positive, which has helped a lot.

Which of your sports has taught you the most about perseverance or teamwork, and why?
Soccer has definitely taught me the most about perseverance and teamwork, as it is a sport where things can change fast and unexpectedly. Soccer has taught me that I have to keep pushing even when I’m tired or the score isn’t in our favor. Aside from the sport of soccer itself, my team has also demonstrated aspects of teamwork to me through our connection; we have all become best friends, always supporting and lifting one another up. Our bond is reflected on the field, which has also taught me that teamwork is built on relationships and trust, not just skill.

Why did you choose to pursue a future as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, and what draws you most to helping children?
I’ve always loved supporting kids and witnessing how much they can grow with the right support system. I want to be an occupational therapist because I want to make a difference in the lives of those I admire most, kids, their determination and bravery is what inspires me in my daily life. Being able to help them build confidence in things that may be hard for them and looking forward to being able to get excited and celebrate their growth with them is what really inspires me to pursue this career.

You talked about the importance of friendships in your life—how do you support your friends the way they’ve supported you?
I try to support my friends the way they’ve supported me by being present and dependable. Whether it’s celebrating them, giving them advice for tough situations, or just listening to what they have to say, I make it a priority to be there for them and show them how much I value their presence in my life. I think friendship is about consistency and empathy, so I try to be someone they can count on, at all times, to encourage them, pray for them, and remind them of their worth when they may be struggling to see it.

Looking ahead, how do you hope to combine your faith, leadership, and passion for helping others in your college years and beyond?
Looking ahead, I really hope to keep growing in my faith while using my leadership skills to help others grow as well. Throughout college and after, I want to stay involved in both my church and volunteer opportunities that allow me to give back. My faith keeps me grounded, and I aim to use that to lead with compassion and integrity, on my future campus, career, and eventually within my future household for my family. I want my life to reflect service, compassion, and encouragement in all that I do.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
Above all, I would first like to thank God for every blessing He has given me. I would also like to thank my family for supporting me in all that I do, my friends for always encouraging me to keep going, and Pastor Matt Rohde and Zach Potter for helping me become the person I am today.

Look for Ciarra in issue 96 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

click here for more information on issue 96 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Photography by Angela Hamilton