Dominoe Custer

Dominoe Custer – Indiana
Nomination & Photography by April Moore Creations LLC
Issue 94 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​Nomination: Dominoe Custer is inspiring because she reflects light, even on hard days. She dreams big, challenging others to dream too. She keeps going when things get tough, showing a quiet, powerful strength. She encourages others and never gives up on them, even when they’re ready to give up on themselves. Whether she’s stepping onto the cheer mat or cheering people on in life, she shows up with faith, grit, and grace. Her mom loves watching her grow and reminds her that God is working. That truth inspires her to keep showing up, believing, and loving well.

Photography by April Moore Creations LLC

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I try to find the good in every situation, even when it doesn’t go the way I planned. I’ve learned that my attitude can change the way a whole day feels, and I want to be someone who brings hope and joy whatever I go.

What else would you like to talk about?
In hard practices and seasons in cheer when everyone else gives up on hope, I find the positive.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I could talk about how I don’t want anyone to be alone. I want to be the light and show that there are people who do care about them no matter who they are.

How do you personally stay motivated during difficult seasons—whether in life or cheer?
How I stay motivated in life and cheer is that I know God is in control and whatever is happening is all part of his plan.

Can you share a time when your positivity helped lift someone else up?
At cheer, we competed at Disney World. On our last night, we headed to Epcot for one final ride, but after a 45-minute wait, it shut down just as we were about to go. Since it was our last night, we couldn’t try again—but we were given flash passes. Some in my group were upset, saying it was a waste of time. I reminded them we could now skip a long line and ride two rides while others may only get one. They smiled and said, “That’s a really good way to look at it.”

What does it mean to you to “reflect light,” and how do you live that out daily?
To “reflect light” means to let the goodness, kindness, and truth within you shine in a way that uplifts others. I try to live this out daily by encouraging those around me, choosing kindness even in tough moments, and staying positive when things don’t go as planned. I believe in being a light in someone else’s day—whether through a smile, a helping hand, or a word of encouragement. Reflecting light isn’t about being perfect; it’s about pointing to something greater than yourself and making the world a little brighter wherever you go.

What advice would you give to someone who feels like giving up on themselves?
That they are perfectly made in God's image and they are beautifully made.

Who inspires you to keep showing up with faith, grit, and grace—and why?
Who inspires me is my mom because she is there for me and is willing to go out of her way to help others. She also keeps God at the center of her life.

What role has cheer played in shaping your confidence and strength?
Cheer has shaped my confidence and strength—especially because I didn’t have close friends or a strong team beside me. In those lonely moments, I leaned on God. He reminded me of my worth, gave me courage when I felt unseen, and strength when I wanted to give up. I learned that true confidence comes from knowing who you are in Christ. With Him by my side, I kept going, even when it was hard. Cheer taught me how to stand tall on my own, but it was God who helped me believe I could.

When things don’t go as planned, how do you shift your mindset to find the good?
When things don’t go as planned, I try to pause and remind myself that God’s plan is always greater than mine. Even in disappointment, I trust that He’s working things out for my good. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, I look for what I can learn or how I can grow. Sometimes the detour ends up being the real blessing. I’ve learned that joy isn’t about everything going perfectly—it’s about choosing to see the good, even in the unexpected. With faith, I can move forward knowing there’s purpose in every moment, even the hard ones.

How do you balance being a source of encouragement for others while also caring for your own well-being?
Even when I feel empty, I find I can still pour into others—because it’s not just my strength I’m relying on. God gives me what I need, even when I feel like I have nothing left. But I’ve also learned that caring for others doesn’t mean ignoring myself. I check in with my heart, spend time in prayer, and let God refill me. It’s not always easy, but I believe He uses even my weakest moments to encourage others. And in that, I find purpose and strength all over again.

What are some ways you show people they’re not alone—even when they might feel invisible?
I know what it feels like to be invisible, because I’ve been there. That’s why I try to show others they’re not alone. I pay attention to the quiet ones, reach out with a kind word, and remind them they’re seen and valued. Sometimes just knowing someone truly understands can bring comfort. I share my own story to help others feel less alone, and I remind them that God sees them—even when no one else seems to. Because I’ve felt that way too, I can meet them in it with real empathy and love.

How has your faith influenced the way you support others and face challenges?
My faith is the foundation of how I support others and face challenges. I believe God has a purpose in every situation, even the hard ones. When I go through struggles, I lean on Him for strength—and that helps me stay steady for others too. I try to reflect His love by showing compassion, patience, and hope, even when things feel uncertain. My faith reminds me that I’m never alone, and I want others to feel that same comfort. Because of God, I face challenges with courage and support others with a heart full of grace.

If you could start a movement or campaign around encouragement and hope, what would it look like?
If I could start a movement around encouragement and hope, it would be called “You’re Seen.” It would focus on reaching people who feel overlooked, reminding them they matter. The campaign would include handwritten notes, social media challenges to speak life over others, and random acts of kindness in everyday places—like coffee shops, churches, or online spaces. I’d share real stories—mine and others’—to show people they’re not alone. Most importantly, it would point to the truth that even when the world doesn’t see you, God does. The goal would be to create a ripple effect of hope, one heart at a time.

What do you want people to remember about you long after they've met you?
I want people to remember that I made them feel truly seen, deeply valued, and unconditionally loved. Even though I was often alone and had no friends, I was still there for everyone—especially in the shadows, through texts and quiet moments when no one else could see. Not because I had all the answers, but because I showed up with a heart wide open, even in the hardest times. My strength comes from my faith, and I never judged anyone’s struggles. No matter what they carried, I was ready to listen and offer hope, reminding them that God sees them, they matter, and they’re never alone.

How did you find your photographer and what did you love most about the experience?
I found my photographer when I was is 4th grade. I did cheer with her daughter through all my years in cheer. I told my parents for years that she was going to do my Senior pictures.
What I love most about this experience is we get to do poses we want and she makes them look better, she’s very sweet and makes it fun.

Are you a part of a model team with your photographer, and if so, tell us about it.
yes I’m a part of the modeling team for my photographer. Everyone is super friendly and its a fun environment. It builds a good community

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with the person who nominated me, is when we get to go out one on one and do things together and just talk about random stuff. There’s just so many things I can’t just pick one.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be on Inspiring Teens Magazine because I want to show that yes the pictures are good, but the person in the picture has a story. I want to get my story and voice out there.

If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?
If I win a scholarship I will use it towards going to my dream college to pursue pediatric emergency medicine. To give kids hope in the most difficult times they will experience.

What is your ideal dream job if it were offered to you today?
My ideal dream job is being a Pediatric ER doctor

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
I want to thank my mom for being my biggest supporter and guiding light. Through every challenge and every step, she believed in me—even when I doubted myself. Her love, encouragement, and faith shaped who I am today. She taught me to keep going, to trust God’s plan, and to always show kindness to others. I’m so grateful for her endless strength and the example she set. I wouldn’t be where I am without her.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
I want to say that no matter what challenges we face or how invisible we might feel, there is always hope and purpose. My journey hasn’t been easy, but my faith has been my anchor. I believe every person has a unique light to shine—even in the darkest moments. If my story can inspire just one person to keep going, to feel seen, or to know they’re not alone, then sharing it is worth it. Thank you for this opportunity to be heard and to lift others up.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
At the amusement park riding roller coaster

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I’m excited about volunteering at the hospital and getting my CCMA license

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Focus on yourself and lean on God for support.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years I see myself in college and about to go off to Med school.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I really enjoy putting Lego sets together and painting.

3 Things on your bucket list
Go to Six flags in California
Go to Universal Studios
To swim with the dolphins

Look for Dominoe in issue 93 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 93

click here to nominate an inspiring teen