Emily Stone

Emily Stone – Texas
Nomination & Photography by Loretta K. Wall Photography
Issue 76 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
​

Nomination: Emily Stone has gone above and beyond. 4 years ago, she set herself a goal to be done with high school at age 16. She worked hard both with school and with her jobs. She is family-oriented. Gets along with everyone and is now getting into her first semester of college.
​

Photography by Loretta K. Wall Photography

​Tell us why you wanted to graduate high school early and what you are doing now.
At 12, I started looking at my life plan to age 19 and I wanted to achieve goals that wouldn’t
work with a traditional path. By choosing to finish high school early, I will be able to have my degree finished in time to be on to go on a mission for my church at age 19. Right now, I am enjoying the choices that I have made, I’m enjoying college, serving at church, and have been picked for one of the lead roles in my college play. I’ve also been learning Japanese, and loving it!

What is your favorite class right now, and what is the most interesting thing you've learned?
I am excited about my public speaking class! I am learning how to best present myself and learning to communicate my message better to others. These are skills I can use in all aspects of my life. I look forward to presenting myself better as a Follower of Christ.

What do you love most about college that is different from high school?
I completed high school early, by choosing to use a two-year homeschool program. This was a lonely route! I love sitting in class again, chatting with classmates, and all the other simple things that I didn’t get while completing high school. While all great goals come with sacrifice, I’m glad to be walking school halls again with my peers.

Photography by Loretta K. Wall Photography

​What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Living in a small rural area, I try to create fun, safe activities for teens. I work with members of the community, getting sponsors, to create events that have reached young people in a 100-mile radius. My events have reached hundreds of teens. These activities have helped create healthy Christian friendships that are so needed in small communities.
I have served in my church and youth group for many years. My love for my Savior has been a large motivator in my goal-setting. I plan to have my Radiology Tech degree before serving a church mission when I turn 19.

What community events have you run for teens?
I have built and run many events in my small community such as: Teen game nights, Community Game nights, Nerf Gun battles, dances, and weekly teen socials for my church. I have also been part of helping other nearby cities start their local events.

Tell us about your favorite community event and why it was your favorite.
The Nerf Gun battle has been my favorite! This is because it brought youth from over 8 cities together! We had teens ages 11 to 18 in attendance. I built an amazing team of people who believed in my vision enough to help me bring it to life! Becca Murray listened to my ideas and helped by providing the venue, snacks, decorations, etc. She is a huge reason I have been able to accomplish the work of “safe places for teens” in my sweet town as much as I have! We plan to create many more events together!

What have you learned about the teens in your community because of your events?
We are better together! We are strong! When you give teens a safe place and creative outlets, their personality shines! Covid hit us teens hard. We lost a lot of our social skills and even motivation to leave the house. Events have helped create safe places for teens to venture out and learn how to have fun again. I enjoy meeting new people at these events. Seeing kids my age enjoying themselves and meeting new friends has been the best reward ever!

What has your leadership style been throughout the process of creating these events?
I have surrounded myself with amazing people. I have learned what motivates them and have learned their strengths. Having everyone provide their feedback helps make building events so much easier. I listen often to all the great ideas, then we decide the best outcome. I have also realized that I can delegate assignments to those who are naturally more skilled in certain areas. We have an amazing team that can create an event rather quickly! Delegating, trusting, and building together, I feel, are big parts of my leadership style.

Photography by Loretta K. Wall Photography

​What else would you like to talk about?
It has been a hard journey with many discouraging my alternative choices and goals. I believe that age shouldn’t define what you can and cannot do. The youth of this world have the power to make a difference now and we just have to keep fighting for causes we believe in and find great people to help. Teens have a voice and can do amazing things to make the world better. If young people can gather together often in safe places and lean on each other, we can be an impossible force for good.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I love my Heavenly Father and Savior who have given her the courage to make smart goals and keep fighting for the things that matter in life. I love all things nerdy. I enjoy board game conventions, Harry Potter, Brandon Sanderson books, and Winnie the Pooh. I love meeting new people. I love being around like-minded people and am fueled by their energy!

What is your favorite board game and why?
My favorite game changes regularly. Right now, Ultimate Werewolf is my favorite game! It's easy to teach people and plays an unlimited amount of people. It’s a good way to make new friends. Werewolf is in the social deduction genre of games. I love games where everyone can join in, laugh, talk, and everyone can win!

What book would you change the ending if you could - and to what?
I love my books! I love to see why the stories go in the direction they do and watch the characters grow in the book. However, in DragonWatch 1st series, one character’s story didn’t progress how I wanted for him. In the first book series, Seth started to grow and mature into a character that I loved to watch throughout the series. However, by the 2nd book series, he reverted to the immature boy he was before. Reading how Seth’s character loses growth and maturity in the story was unfortunate to me. I feel the book series could have used a different method or introduced a different character to create the amazing story without losing Seth’s maturity.

What do you love about Winnie the Pooh?
I grew up with my dad singing Winnie the Pooh songs to me and we would sing them together. He would have the stories memorized and would quote them. I got my first Pooh Bear at age one. My dad is a huge inspiration to me. He gets along with everyone and is in constant service to others. I would love to be more like him. He is such a teddy bear! Me and my dad still love singing Winnie the Pooh songs together to this day. I love Pooh Bear because my dad loves him, too!

How did you find your photographer, Loretta K. Wall Photography? I found Loretta on Facebook and have been following her amazing work for some time. I was impressed by her range of photography. She has done so many things. Her range was what inspired me to get photos from her. Her photos were unique.

What was your experience like?
Loretta was amazing to work with! She made Emily feel comfortable and welcome. This amazing Senior trip adventure they went on was great and an experience she will hold dear her whole life. Emily was treated with the same respect as everyone else invited on the trip. Emily felt she was on a road trip with her friends. Loretta created that environment so quickly!

What did you love most about it?
When asked if Emily qualified to attend a senior photoshoot, she welcomed her and validated her right to hold the title. Emily never felt younger than, or less than anyone else on the trip. She was one of the seniors. With so many discouraging Emily’s journey, Loretta made her feel like she belonged. Loretta didn’t just take great pictures, she took Emily to amazing sights and she had great experiences traveling to amazing places with her.

Photography by Loretta K. Wall Photography

​If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
You would find me in a group of people. I’d be with friends or making more friends to add to my group! I love opportunities to meet other amazing people. I love learning, laughing, and listening to others. I love hearing what inspires them and knowing their stories. People are one of God’s greatest blessings on earth, with everyone being a child of God.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
It feels like the sky’s the limit at this point! I feel I’m on the path I want to be on and plan to stick with it. I will continue to help my 4 younger siblings reach their potential. I have loved reading with them, studying scriptures together, and helping them learn new skills. I plan to continue to create great events for my friends and community. I will also continue to grow my knowledge of Jesus Christ by attending my early morning bible study class daily. I hope to always serve in my church and show up big for the people in my life.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Besides completing high school from home in two years, the next hardest thing was having surgery. My appendix almost burst when I was 7 years old the recovery took a lot of time. My parents have always been great at knowing my limits and encouraging me through all of life’s challenges.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
You have to look ahead at your life and plan out each step. Check your sacrifices and your rewards on this path then prepare to enjoy your journey.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I’ll be 21 in 5 years and I hope to be home from my 1 1/2-year church mission. I hope to be stable with my career and ready to support a family of my own.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I have been learning Japanese through Duolingo for the last year. I love learning new things and this has been my favorite pastime.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I can do impressions. I have loved developing this skill and practicing imitating my favorite voices.

3 Things on your bucket list
Going on a church mission is something that I want to do and am so excited to share Jesus with others!
Traveling is something I'd love to do more of. My amazing photographer took us to many amazing sites and now I want to see it all!.
Going to Universal Studios and Harry Potter World is something I want to do! Just to nerd out like crazy!

Who do you find inspiring?
My mom and dad are the most inspiring people I know and they have also pushed me to be the best person I can be! I am grateful to have a home that has taught me the importance of growing a relationship with my Savior!

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I’m the oldest of 5 kids. I hope they see my love for my Heavenly Father and my goals for the future and are inspired to be their best self.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Thank you for this opportunity! I have a hard time making things about myself. This has been a humbling experience to be acknowledged in this way. It means a lot to me. Thank you!

Look for Emily in issue 76 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 76

click here to nominate an inspiring teen