Jesi Abney

Jesi Abney – Louisiana
Nomination & Photography by Jennifer Abney Photography
Issue 64 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
​

​Nomination: Jesi Abney is inspiring because she is unafraid to speak openly about mental health and has made it her mission to help young adults. She is the reigning Miss Slidell's Outstanding Teen and is using her social impact platform E.P.I.C, Every Person Is Crucial, to reach her peers. She is working with mental health professionals within her community to help those suffering have a voice. Jesi is a leader in many aspects of her life and has committed herself to community service. She is encouraging her peers to step out of their comfort zone to impact lives one person at a time.

Photography by Jennifer Abney Photography

​Tell us about your rise to Miss Slidell's Outstanding Teen and what steps you took to get there.
I decided two weeks prior to the pageant to compete to help me get more comfortable with interviews. Since I am moving to New York in the fall and will interview with producers, casting agents and directors I really wanted to polish my interview skills. I was required to prepare a talent, fitness routine and on-stage question along with evening wear competitions. It was a whirlwind of preparations in only two weeks but in the end, I won the crown and will compete for the state title of Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen in April.

What does it mean to you to be in this position, and what are your roles and responsibilities?
This position has given me an audience to promote my social impact statement as well as be a public face within my community. I am not only representing myself but also my school and community. My responsibilities include appearances, interviews, speaking engagements and preparation for the state competition.

Why did you choose mental health for your platform?
Someone who has struggled with my own mental health and feeling like I am alone, I want to help someone else find that inter peace. It is not enough for you to tell someone that they are not alone or that you are here for them, to help them overcome feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness. We must normalize these feelings and give young people and adults the ability to freely talk about how they feel without stigma. I am one of the lucky ones that my family listened and helped me talk through what I was feeling without judgment. So many people are embarrassed or feel judged because that is the stigma our society has placed on individuals who are struggling with mental health crisis. It is okay to not have it all together or to simply feel sad sometimes.

What do you feel is the biggest weight on teens shoulders today, and a suggestion to lighten the load?
Acceptance is the biggest weight teens are shouldering today. So many teens are finding ways to fit in or be accepted within their community that lead to a bad outcome. The first step is loving yourself. You cannot love others and be accepted if you don’t first love yourself. Also, our society needs more kindness and love. Everyone is facing something that we know nothing about. As teens we need more empathy for others but instead, we are self-absorbed and don’t want to find out why someone is struggling.

What has been your favorite community service project and why?
I recently participated in a fashion show sponsored by Children’s Hospital. Disabled and terminally ill children were able to get their makeup and hair done along with modeling the outfit of their choice. To see a child smile impacted my life and is an event I will never forget. These children are facing so much and could choose to be sad, instead choose happiness and spread that throughout our community. This is a gift I wish other teens could witness.

What leadership roles have you had within your opportunities and what have you learned about yourself as a leader?
I am currently the Historian for Thespian Troupe 775; Secretary for Slidell High Choir and Spiritual Leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I have learned that I am an observant leader that brings ideas to the table but also listens to others’ ideas. I am also a empathic, open minded, passionate and motivating to those around me.

Photography by Jennifer Abney Photography

​As a senior, what legacy do you hope to leave behind to younger teens?
I hope the legacy I leave for younger teens is to not be afraid to be your true authentic self and to be kind. The world is lacking kindness, so I am accepting and kind to others to help change our world.

With your senior year half over, if you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
I would be on a stage performing all day every day. This is my true passion in life, and it gives me great joy.

How did you find and why did you choose Jennifer Abney Photography for your photographer?
What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
Jennifer is my second cousin but beyond that one of my biggest supporters. I have seen her work grow over the years and loved that she styled her clients. She has a gift to guide her clients to reflect their personalities in the outfits they choose from her style closet. My shoot was so much fun because she allowed me to try new things and really had a vision for my shoot.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Jesi is a four-year member of the talented theatre program and a part of the theater community since the age of five. Jesi’s drive and passion for her craft has opened opportunities beyond her imagination. She recently took the biggest leap of her life by auditioning for The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and was accepted. She wants to share with her peers to pursue your dreams no matter what or who stands in your way.

What has been your favorite role you've played? What was the production and why was this your favorite?
My favorite role was Little Red in “Into the Woods.” It was vocally challenging, but the music is beautifully written. I really liked that it took me outside of my comfort zone and challenged me with the dept of the character.

What do you wish everyone knew about acting on stage?
I wish people knew that acting on stage is not as easy as it looks. A lot of time, commitment and character building goes into making the character believable. Not only is the choreography physically taxing but acting is mentally challenging.

Photography by Jennifer Abney Photography

​What would you most like to talk about?
My generation is often criticized for the many things we do wrong. I want to teach the generations before us that we are accepting and diverse which sets us apart. Our inclusivity has open doors for acceptance and diversity that I feel we can teach other generations to come.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be?
Forty three percent of young adults aged twelve to twenty-five have experienced some type of mental health crisis in 2021. These statistics keep doubling each year. Society has placed a stigma of embarrassment if you have a mental health crisis. We should be encouraging our children to share their mental health, good or bad with others. No-one should be embarrassed or feel different because of their own mental health. We cannot change these statistics unless we are sharing and normalizing our own mental health experiences.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I have ever had to do was auditioning for The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. This was a huge leap of faith hoping that all the hard work and time I put into my craft would gain me acceptance to my dream school. I worked hard for months with acting and voice coaches to prepare me for that moment. After the audition I felt wonderful and knew that I could not have done anything more. It was one of my favorite moments when they told me that I had been accepted.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Stay true to yourself and never change for anyone. Hard work, commitment and passion will always get you where you need to be in every aspect of your life. Ignore anyone who tells you that you can’t do something or that you won’t do something. Always network and stay in contact with those that can help you along your journey.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I will be in living in New York and see myself on Broadway in a musical living my dream.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
When I am stressed or have anxiety over something, spending time in nature, grounding myself with the earth and writing in my journal are my favorite things to do.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I discovered a couple of years ago that I know how to Yodel. This form of vocal performance is a dying art and not many people know how to control voice cracks in order to Yodel.

3 Things on your bucket list
1) Meet Harry Styles
2) Visit Rome
3) Skydiving

Who do you find inspiring?
My sister is inspiring to me because she believes in me and is always there for me. She has pulled me through some dark times in my life and made me see how important and special I am. She is observant and has an innate way of pulling the best out of each person she encounters. She gives incredible advice and I know that no matter what she will always be there for me.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I feel that I am inspiring because I am true to myself and kind to others. I do not waiver who I am even if it is the uncool thing to do. I stick up for the underdog and absolutely do not tolerate others mistreating or being unkind to others. I stand up for what I believe in and am following my lofty dreams of performing on Broadway.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Fun Fact: I have three functioning kidneys.

Look for Jesi in issue 64 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 64

click here to nominate an inspiring teen