Ella Yelton

Ella Yelton - North Carolina
Nomination & Photography by Waugh 2 Waugh Photography
Issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Ella is such a kind and compassionate young lady. Her quiet, confident leadership is easily seen in her dance and cheer commitments, as well as on our W2W Senior Ambassador Team, making her a role model for kids and peers alike. She is always willing to take on a challenge with positivity and enthusiasm and inspires us to do the same.

Photography by Waugh 2 Waugh Photography
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What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I feel most passionate about my love for dance. At the age of three I took my first dance class and now I'm going into my fifteenth year. I started competitive dance at the age of four and have been competing ever since. Another reason I'm so passionate about dance is that now I'm able to teach younger students my love of dance and watch them grow just like I did. I have studied all genres of dance and I'm most passionate about Lyrical because it allows me to bring out my feelings.

What do you love most about dancing?
There are several things I love most about dancing but one thing that has always stuck with me in my love for dancing is the friendships and support I have at my studio. My teachers are some of the most supportive people in my life. They never fail to congratulate me on any of my accomplishments even if it isn’t in dance. I have also made so many friendships along my dancing journey and made some of my best friends from dance, which has brought me so much love.

What has dancing taught you?
Dancing has taught me how to have determination, confidence and a great work ethic. It has made me who I am today. Being a competitive dancer takes dedication, determination, and confidence. In today's world being who you are is hard because of social media but at a young age I learned how to be confident and not listen to other people's opinions.

If you could dance on any tv dance show, which one would it be and why?
If I could be on any tv dance show I would want to be on “So You Think You Can Dance”. I have always watched this show since I was a little girl and I have watched so many people go so far in life because of their opportunity to showcase their art of dance. The tv show is also such a positive influence for the art of dance. Personally it would just be an honor to dance for the judges.

Describe your favorite cheer moment.
My favorite cheer moment is when my cheer team took a three day trip to a UCA cheer camp in August 2024. We got to learn from some of the kindest, most talented instructors. Cheer camp helped to expand the friendships between each other. We also got to stay in hotel rooms which was such a fun experience. I will forever remember and cherish the memories that were made at UCA cheer camp.

What is your cheer team like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My cheer team is a hard working, determined and collaborative team. We are always trying new things at practice whether it be stunts, cheers, or dances. I fit in with my team because of my leadership and hard work. I stand out because of my ability to tumble, my strength to be a base, and my leadership to be a captain.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
My love for volleyball. I have been playing competitive volleyball for seven years both school and travel and was the captain of the team for the past two years. Being a captain brought my confidence up, my leadership and taught me many things.

What position do you dominate in volleyball and why does it suit you?
I used to play setter on my volleyball team which made me a leader and stand out because you can’t do much without a setter setting up the ball to score a point. Being a setter shows that you are a hard working leader that wants the best for your team. This suits me because it brings me joy to be a leader for someone, and lead others to victory.

What were your roles and responsibilities as captain?
My roles were to be a leader for the team and make sure we stay as one and work hard to win. As my dad says “be a scarper for the team” every time before I play a game has taken me to the leadership role of my past volleyball teams. He also always tells me to have a positive attitude because how you act reflects everyone else's attitude. From my past coaches they always tell me I have that leadership role in me and to work hard and be a leader for the team because they know I am.

How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style is to always be kind to your teammates. I have always been told to be kind to everyone and as a leader you have to be kind to your teammates if you want to be a successful team.

What is your strongest leadership quality?
My strongest leadership quality is how I’m a quiet teammate but if something needs to be changed or fixed I will speak up to benefit the team. I have been told I have good judgement which has put me at where I am today with being a leader for my cheer team as well as my dance studio.

What else would you like to talk about?
My biggest goal in life is to be an inspiration and role model for young children. I have always dreamed of becoming an elementary school teacher because of the teachers who have made an impact on my life. My love for teaching, mentoring, and inspiring young children is something that is so fulfilling to my life.

What has working with children taught you about yourself?
Working with little kids has taught me so much about myself. It has taught me what I want to do in life and that's to be a second grade teacher. Teaching children has also taught me to be a role model for younger kids because I had a role model that I looked up to and I want to be that for someone.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I found my photographer through social media as well as visiting my school during sport events. My experience with them was a fun, creative, and relaxing experience. They are so kind and are always open to suggestions and willing to work with me. They have made my senior year exciting because I'm always looking forward to taking pictures with them because of my ambassador spot I have with them. I loved their positive, encouraging, and professional attitudes. My photographer is so friendly and made me feel comfortable.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
Being featured in Inspiring Teens Magazine would be life changing. I have always wanted to be a model but never fulfilled that dream. Being featured would make my dreams come true. I also want to have an impact on people's lives and would love to be a role model for other teens. I also feel that my photographer deserves this amazing opportunity. It would just be an honor.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with Misty who nominated me would have to be my first photo session with her. Going into my session I was super nervous and didn't know what to expect. Throughout the whole photo session she made me feel comfortable, relaxed, and confident. By the end of the session I felt like we were best friends and had known each other for years.

Tell us more about the W2W Senior Ambassador Team and why you love to be a part of it.
Being a W2W Senior Ambassador is such an honor. I have never met two people who are more dedicated to their job. Being an ambassador has allowed so many opportunities for senior year pictures. They care so much about their ambassador team and allow us to have a group picture session almost every month. I love the friends I have made and the senior year experiences I have already had.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
If I had nothing to do and all day to do it you would probably find me shopping. I love to shop for new clothes, shoes, and accessories. I also love to shop for other people because it brings me so much joy to get someone else something that they like, and see their reaction.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I plan to attend Appalachian State University where I will be studying elementary education. My goal is to get certified to teach second grade in my hometown. I also plan on continuing to teach dance throughout my college experience.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I see myself working in my local elementary school as a second grade teacher while still teaching dance classes. I also see myself with a small average house with a golden retriever dog.

3 Things on your bucket list
Visit Bora Bora, attend Appalachian State, and dance for a NFL football team.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my mom and dad inspiring because they are extremely hard working. They also have provided more than enough for me and I hope I can be just like them one day.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think I’m inspiring because of my willingness to help whenever there is a need whether it be my dance studio, cheer team, my parents restaurant and community.

Look for Ella in issue 86 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 86

click here to nominate an inspiring teen