Elise Hayen

Elise Hayen – Georgia
Nomination by Susan Anderson
Photography by Michelle Petteys
​Issue 54 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Elise Hayen is an Inspiring Teen because of her academic achievement, musical talent, leadership qualities, kindness, and faith. Now a Senior, Elise is characterized by her top-notch grades as well as being ranked first-chair oboist for all four years in the state of Georgia’s All-State Orchestra. She was selected to serve as Drum Major for the marching band and was the principal author of a book for teens entitled “I Am - Answering Life’s Biggest Question: Who Am I?” With all these accomplishments, Elise is still a caring friend and a true seeker of God’s plan for her life.
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Photography by Michelle Petteys

​What should we know about you?
I am very passionate about mentorship and teaching. I strive to honor the memory of my late music teacher by teaching others through private music lessons and being Head Drum Major in my high school band. I also mentor people through sharing my testimony in the book “I AM”, in which I am a co-author of in conjunction with my school’s leadership team. In this novel I share my fight with sickness due to anxiety and how my faith healed me. I hope to become an English teacher in the future to feed my love for teaching.

Tell us about your music - what got you interested and why did you choose the oboe?
As a young musician, my parents were in debt and unable to pay for my music lessons. At twelve years old I worked around the town to save up lesson money. I started taking lessons with Bob Burks and instantly had a connection with him. After my private teacher told me I had the potential to continue professionally, I started working very hard. Now I’m absolutely in love with the instrument! I take every chance I can to play.

What does it mean to be the first-chair oboist for all four years in the state of Georgia's All-State Orchestra? What opportunities has this provided you?
The All-State Band and Orchestra clinic is a selective event held every year in Athens, Georgia. Students must audition to be accepted into this program. It’s very prestigious— on average a high school has one student make All-State every four years. Attending every year has been an honor; the musical experience is unparalleled, and the friends I have made are lifelong ones.

What does a Drum Major do and why is this a prestigious position?
A Drum Major is the conductor of a marching band– during halftime they direct the band’s halftime show from a podium. Being a Drum Major has been one of the most demanding and rewarding positions. It requires lots of confidence, precision, and energy. As a drum major, it is your responsibility to train with the other drum majors and look exactly alike, communicate information between the staff and the band members, and be a leader during hardship. I’m very lucky to have worked with amazing co-drum majors and a wonderful band; they made my job easy!

What is your favorite type of music to play and why?
I love playing music from the Romantic Period (1825-1900). There are some amazing (and occasionally daunting!) oboe solos in that period of repertoire.

What have you learned about yourself while teaching others to play?
It is always a good reminder for me musically to teach others basics about the oboe. In a way, I fall in love with the instrument again by seeing others fall in love with it for the first time. My favorite aspect of teaching is seeing something click with students. When they can implement a new concept right away, I get so excited!
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Photography by Michelle Petteys

Why did you choose Michelle Petteys as your senior photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
Simply put, Mrs. Petteys is one-of-a-kind. She makes everyone feel like themselves in their pictures and is willing to try anything to achieve the look you want. I have taken pictures with her twice and each time I have finished feeling beautiful and relaxed. Mrs. Petteys is also a superb Spanish teacher at my high school! Her dedication to photography and teaching is inspiring.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I took part in the renaming of my school’s hallways: an effort that diversified the representation of US generals. Within school, I am on the leadership team for NHS and am part of Beta Club, NEHS, and Culture Club. I have received awards for my poetry and speech submissions to local writing competitions. I am an alumni of the Chattanooga Youth Symphony and the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program.

What made you want to take such a big initiative to rename the hallways and what did this entail?
Renaming my school’s hallways was heavy on my heart when racial injustice was at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Our hallways were named after famous military generals– however there was no diversity, and some men featured were generals of the Confederate army. I emailed my principal and asked that he consider changing our hallway names. He responded saying that he was already planning on doing so and that other members of the community had also reached out urging for the same thing. We now have hallways that represent men and women of all cultures and nationalities.

Photography by Michelle Petteys

​What do you do on the leadership team for NHS?
The NHS leadership team is responsible for putting together monthly meetings and organizing projects for members. My favorite project this year has been making Valentine’s Day cards and delivering them to our local police stations, firefighters, teachers, and medical workers. We got lots of positive feedback!

What are your strongest leadership skills?
I am thankful that I stick to my decisions as a leader. I take confidence in the moves I make and trust myself that they will benefit people, even if they don’t see it. Especially as a Drum Major, it is important to make a decision and not be swayed by people’s opinions. I am grateful for the leaders and staff that supported me in making those decisions and guided my thinking.

What do you do in Beta Club and what is a favorite accomplishment?
Beta Club is another service club. My favorite projects in Beta Club have been helping local families when they are in need because of crises. Multiple times, The Beta Club has collected thousands of dollars in gift cards to support our community.

What are some of your favorite high school memories?
Some of my favorite activities have been painting my senior parking spot and traveling to football games with the band. A specific favorite memory was playing our halftime show in heavy rain during band camp– we were soaked from head to toe, but it was so fun!

Tell us more about Culture Club.
Culture Club was founded by one of my friends when she was a freshman. It is all about highlighting different cultures and informing the student body about them. Every month a different culture is featured, and the members create a visual to put in the hallways about that culture!

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be?
Confidence and being a pioneer. Because of the small town I live in, moving far away and competing against musicians with more resources felt intimidating at first. But I persevered and was given the opportunity to audition at some of the most elite music schools in the nation. Don’t be afraid to be first-- show others that this journey is possible and empower them to pioneer their own story. The struggles, waiting periods, and ultimately blessings that have come my way have shown me that motivating others to continue on the road less traveled is a story worth telling.

What do you enjoy writing about?
Writing is an emotional outlet for me, so I usually write about my worries. I’ve written about college, mental health, and the stresses of modern life.

Share with us more about the book you are co-authoring. How did it come about, what is it about, and what do you hope others will gain from reading it?
This book was the brainchild of the Heritage football coach and leadership teacher. He wanted to create something that could encourage young people to make the right decisions in a world that supports wrong ones while also sharing real stories and testimonies from people who have gone through very difficult things. I believe if this book can change one person’s life, all of our work will have paid off. “I AM” is available now on Amazon– all proceeds go to our sister school in Nicaragua!

Photography by Michelle Petteys

​What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Playing oboe at my late teacher’s funeral was heart-wrenching. I got through it because I knew it would make him proud if I played with confidence.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Remember that your worth is not based on your productivity or performance.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I hope to teach English at the middle or high school level and continue playing oboe.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
Reading!

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I wish I did! Maybe it’s yet to be discovered…

3 Things on your bucket list
-See the Northern Lights
-Travel to Greece
-Go see a gameshow live

Who do you find inspiring?
My parents are the most inspiring to me. They have taught me so much about being positive in hardship and the strength of love.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I have a unique story– I hope that my unconventional circumstances and my perseverance is inspiring to others.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I’m so thankful for this opportunity!

Look for Elise in issue 54 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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click here for more information on issue 54

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