Jamisyn Kolaczynski

Jamisyn Kolaczynski – Pennsylvania
Nomination by Heather Kolaczynski
Photography by Redford Photography
Issue 91 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Jamisyn Kolaczynski is inspiring for many reasons, but most of all her tenacity through years of bullying at school. Through it all she kept her head held high and maintained distinguished honors grades. When things got worse with bullying, she transitioned to cyber school. While others may have let this get them down, Jamisyn decided it was time to stop shrinking to fit what made others comfortable. She was able to travel more and pursue her career in modeling. She is an inspiration that you can always find a way to persevere.

Photography by Redford Photography
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​What was it like to transition to cyber school and how is it a good fit for you?
My transition to cyber was not as peaceful as I had intended. Quickly the closest people to me turned on me. I had a hard time understanding why. Yet, I never let that stop me from achieving my dreams. Once I realized I only needed myself, success creeped up on me quickly. Cyber school allows me to have time for education, family, my mental health, and my career.

What is your favorite class this year and what is the most interesting thing you've learned?
My favorite class this year has been fashion design. I couldn’t believe a high school offered it. It would so cool to learn about textiles, fabrics, and the history behind fashion. Who knew men and women use to wear the same clothes? Fashion design sparked my interest so much further in the fashion industry.

What is the most exciting thing you've done in the last 30 days?
In the past 30 days I created my own podcast alongside my sister. It felt so freeing knowing I could do what I aspired to do without worrying about what another teenage girl would say. The positive reactions to my new podcast mean the world to me. I love continuing to find myself every day. Sister Shakedown is now a new safe space for me. Not only that, but it’s another second of the day I get to smile.

What is coming up next for you that you are very much looking forward to?
Coming up I am walking in Miami swim week. I was a Florida baby, so I am excited to go back home. There are so many amazing models that I will be walking next to. It is truly a privilege to model for another designer. I will also be filming a lot of content in Miami. On the way there I will be stopping in Savannah to check out a dream college of mine!

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I feel passionate about the art of modeling. I could talk for hours about how freeing modeling feels. The adrenaline rush when you walk out on the runway and the lights hit your eyes. The glimpse of the future when a picture snaps a shot of you. The excitement you feel when you get to a red carpet. It is such a beautiful experience to find something you love. I’ve learned to hold on to it.

Tell us about your modeling career.
I started modeling at a young age with simple photogenic contests. Once I won Miss Pennsylvania volunteer I knew this could be serious for me. I tried to stay away from modeling because if there was less attention on me maybe I would stop getting bullied. Obviously that wasn’t true, so I decided to pursue my dream full force. Once I went cyber school nothing was stopping me. I spend everyday looking for the next opportunity. I have Miami and New York coming up! Also some amazing new photos and magazines.

What surprised you most when you entered the world of modeling?
I believe the people shocked me the most in the modeling world. All I ever knew were girls and boys who were not good people. I couldn’t believe there were actually good people out there. I found some of my closest friends in modeling. They made me realize what a real friend is. You get to choose who gets the privilege to know you. I’m proud to say I know that now.

What do you wish others knew about preparing for and being in front of the camera?
I wish people knew that the whole world kinda stops when you step in front of the camera. It’s just you and the camera. There is no need to worry about who is around you. When you are in your element nothing can mess it up. For preparation I really enjoy getting in the zone and thinking of what inspires me. When I get in front of the camera I know it’s go time.

What has been your favorite experience so far in modeling and why?
My favorite experience in modeling has definitely been helping a girl back stage before stepping on the runway. When I saw a fellow girl crying I was quick to tell her the second she was done with the runway she’d say “I wanna do it again” and how quick it went. That’s exactly what she said when she stepped foot off the runway. I love modeling with my whole heart, but apart of that is sharing it with other people.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I found my photographer through family connections. My experience has been nothing short of amazing. It is so hard to find photographers that incorporate your opinion into it. My photographer lit my vision to life on multiple occasions. I could not choose what I love most with my experiences with my photographer. Every second is filled with inspiration and excitement. When a vision comes to life, the photo is worth everything.

Are you a part of a model team with your photographer, and if so, tell us about it.
I am not a part of a model team with my photographer, but I am always at the studio! I am always looking for new opportunities!

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with [my mom] is the look on her face while I was walking down the runway. The look on her face made me feel like I made it. We all need someone in our life that will be our biggest cheerleader in everything we do.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Something inspiring about me is my heart. I constantly give to others. I know what it is like to feel like you don’t belong, so I enjoy spending time helping others realize they are enough. I also love working with elders and making them feel loved. I will always be the helping hand we all need in life.

What else would you like to talk about?
I want to make the world a better place. I am willing to work to help others through hard times in a world full of bullies. It is so important to have role models and inspirational people in your life. Through the past six months of traveling for modeling I have met so many genuine people. We all need a reminder some times that there are good people out there. 

 Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine because I want to inspire others. I grew up reading magazines and studying the girls in it to find out how I could be like them. I’ve learned, however, that the people who inspire you are those who you relate to. The people you grow up knowing, in reality, inspire you in the things you do. I would be honored to inspire anyone.

If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?
If I won a scholarship I would love to invest in my own company which represents powerful women and men. I would love to use those clothes on the runway and have teens with inspiring stories represent my brand. Every person you see has a story and everyone deserves to share theirs. A scholarship would not only be life changing for me, but also for those who want a platform to share their story.

Tell us more about your company.
The moment I went cyber I knew I wanted to help inspire others. I wanted a company named “averee” which means to prove. I wanted to prove to others that you don’t need other people’s validation to be what you want to be. I want Averee to be a reminder or what’s in-front of you in the mirror. Never lose yourself for anyone. How you look does not make you a “model.” YOU make you a model.

What is your ideal dream job if it were offered to you today?
My ideal Job would definitely be Milan Fashion Week. I have dreamed of being in Milan since I was a little girl. The day I step foot in Milan I know I made it. It would truly be an honor to represent someone in Milan.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
All of my thanks will go to my mom. I would not be where I am today without her. She inspires me every day to keep going. I continued fighting for her.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
It is truly a beautiful thing to be a nice person. Never forget that you will always be rewarded in some way for being a good person. Never let peer pressure influence the way you treat someone else. You never know what someone is going through.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Be confident in who you are and what you believe in. What’s meant for you won’t pass you by.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I have a weird talent with numbers. If you ask me a question with a number in it I will always guess the right number.

Look for Jamisyn in issue 91 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 91

click here to nominate an inspiring teen