Jessie Pointer

Jessie Pointer – Texas
Nomination & Photography by Angie Read Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Jessie Pointer is a gracious young lady who is compassionate about those in need. She loves to help others by participating in community service projects and assisting her dance instructor with the Special Needs class. Jessie has worked hard to overcome her anxiety about crowds to become a member of her school's varsity drill team and a line leader on the Girl Scout drill team. Academically, she’s a superstar, with membership in National Honor Society, Latin NHS, Student Council, and many additional clubs while maintaining straight A's. Jessie aspires to be a NICU nurse with a minor in American Sign Language.
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Photography by Angie Read Photography

​What are you most looking forward to during your senior year?
As I look ahead, I am most excited about the thought of making unforgettable memories with my friends, teachers, and directors that will last a lifetime. Time flies by so quickly, and before I know it, high school will be over, and I will have to move on to the next chapter of my life. When that time comes, I will reflect on my high school journey, appreciate all that I have achieved, and celebrate every success along the way.

What will you miss most about high school?
High school has been such an incredible journey for me, and I can already tell that I will miss so many things about it. This being my last year on the dance team, I know it will be bittersweet. The friendships I've made, the amazing directors, especially Ms. Thompson, and our supportive principal have all made my high school experience unforgettable. I will cherish all the incredible memories we've made together. Seeing my best friend, Tori every day has been a blessing too. High school has given me so much, and I'll always hold these moments close to my heart.

How did you find your senior photographer, Angie Read Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
I discovered Angie Read Photography through a friend on my school's drill team and also on Instagram.
Working with Angie has been a wonderful experience. She has a unique way of making each session personal to every girl. I appreciate the fact that she takes her time with each of us and pays attention to every little detail to ensure that we are happy with the results. She is simply amazing.
It was great meeting new people and making friends. I was thrilled about the photo opportunities that awaited me in my Senior Year with them. Hearing about the community service projects she was planning got me even more excited.

Tell us about your community service projects.
I have been involved in various community service projects for some time now. When I was in 5th grade, I made tie blankets for the NICU babies to earn my Bronze Award for Girl Scouts. Later, in 8th grade, I built Little Libraries for the local neighborhoods to earn my Silver Award in Girl Scouts. Although I have done other smaller projects since then, these two projects remain my biggest achievements in terms of community service.

Which has been your favorite and why?
One of my favorite community service projects was making blankets for the NICU babies. Even though the work was long and hard, the result was worth it. Although we couldn't see the babies, I knew that they would come to love and cherish the blankets. I've always enjoyed helping people, especially the little ones, and this project warmed my heart.

What leadership opportunities have you had as a result?
Through my experiences, I have been privileged to lead children in various activities. These include teaching Girl Scouts the steps to earn a patch, instructing dance to a Green Starlette, and assisting my director in teaching her dance class to special needs children. I have greatly enjoyed these opportunities.

Photography by Angie Read Photography

​How would you describe your leadership style?
I would describe my leadership style as compassionate, determined, and empathetic. I genuinely care about helping others and being an inspiration, especially to the young ones. My dedication to the dance team and my drive to leave a great impression on the school show my determination. And my ability to connect with others and understand their perspectives demonstrates my empathy. These qualities help make me a natural leader who can inspire and uplift those around me.

Tell us about your love of dance. What has your journey been like?
I have mentioned previously that I have been dancing for 13 years, starting when I was a little girl. This has been an incredible and unforgettable experience. I still vividly remember my amazing first dance teacher. After finishing my senior year, I am thinking of trying out to become part of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes. I know it will require a lot of hard work, dedication, and time, but I am confident that I can handle it. It would be a dream come true if I could continue my dance journey through college and finish it there.

What is a typical week for you being on so many drill teams?
As a member of the school drill team, my week during football season is busy with morning practice Monday-Wednesday, after-school practice on Thursday, and games on Friday. During contest season, we have after-school practice Monday-Wednesday, night practice on Thursday, a long practice on Friday, and contests on Saturdays. Spring Show means early morning practices again. The Girl Scout Drill Team practices on Monday evenings, parades on Saturdays during the Christmas season, and performances at different colleges in the spring. The year ends with a Spring Show. It's a packed schedule, but I enjoy being part of these teams and performing.

What do you love most about being in the Latin NHS?
Being a part of the Latin NHS has been an amazing experience for me. I love the friendly and welcoming community that it provides. It's a great place to meet new people, make friends, and share ideas. The club is full of motivated individuals who are passionate about their academics and are always willing to help each other out. It's truly amazing to be a part of such a supportive group of people.

What responsibilities do you have in the NHS?
In the NHS, members are required to maintain a minimum overall GPA of 4.0, complete at least 15 service hours per semester, attend a minimum of 50% of the monthly meetings, and be an active member by participating in Committee Events. These requirements help ensure that members are committed to academic excellence and community service, and actively contribute to the organization's goals and objectives.

What has been your proudest accomplishment being in the B.E.S.T Club?
Being in B.E.S.T. Club has been truly inspiring for me. It provides an opportunity for special needs kids to come together, participate in various activities, and experience joy. We are paired up with a B.E.S.T. Buddy for the year and get to engage in different activities with them. I feel honored to have become the official photographer for the club this year. I get to take pictures of all the amazing events and capture the happiness on the faces of the kids. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a meaningful club.

What other clubs do you participate in that mean a lot to you?
One of the clubs I am involved in is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We gather as athletes to discuss our challenges as well as our accomplishments from the week. We come together to offer prayers to the Lord, seeking His help and expressing our gratitude. Our time together is focused on fellowship, where we learn about Christ, support each other's growth, and achieve our goals together.

Photography by Marlena Vanlandingham

​What is your strategy for being so involved and still maintaining straight A's?
I struggled to maintain all A's in my early high school years, but I realized the importance of staying focused in my junior and senior years. I manage my club schedules and school work through reminders on my phone and Google Keep. Sticky notes have helped remind me of upcoming tests, quizzes, assignments, and project due dates. Though it can be overwhelming, I stay committed and focused to manage both school and extracurricular activities.

What is the most interesting thing you have learned in school so far this year?
I would say that the most interesting thing I have learned so far in school this year is that it’s never too late to explore different interests and change your mind. It’s okay to pursue new passions and redefine my goals, even if that means taking a different direction from the initial plan.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am a dedicated and empathetic person who values loyalty towards others. Dancing has been a significant part of my life for the past 13 years, teaching me valuable lessons in discipline, perseverance, and self-expression. Although I'm naturally reserved, dancing has helped me come out of my shell and boosted my self-confidence. I have also played the violin for 13 years and have been a member of the orchestra since fourth grade. Engaging in these activities throughout my schooling years has enabled me to express myself without relying on words or others to speak for me.

What else would you like to talk about?
In 7th grade, I encountered American Sign Language for the first time. It was through a girl who was deaf with her interpreter in my classes. I found myself fascinated watching the interpreter. When I was in 8th grade, I was given the chance to take ASL, which I immediately did. Although I have some basic knowledge of ASL, I have always wanted to learn more. It is something I would like to pursue in college. Learning ASL would allow me to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing and don't always have the same opportunities as others.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I have a deep passion for helping people in need, even if I sometimes feel anxious about approaching them. One of my favorite ways to help is by helping teach in a special needs dance class, where I can see the joy on the children's faces. Working with them is one of the best decisions I have made. When I'm older, I aspire to work with NICU babies, particularly those who require extra attention. I love seeing others thrive after receiving even the smallest amount of help.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
It is rare for me to have nothing to do all day, but if it were to happen, I would probably be relaxing at home by either listening to music or watching TV in my mom’s bed. Otherwise, I would take the chance to spend quality time with my best friend, Tori, whom I don't always get to see, but is the best friend anyone could ask for.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Up next for me that I am super excited about is graduating and going to college. It is a big and scary moment, but it is the start of a new life filled with new opportunities. I am excited for the journey that lies ahead waiting for me.

Photography by Marlena Vanlandingham

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing that I have ever accomplished was trying out for my school drill team. What helped me was constantly practicing and going over the different dances. I practiced until I knew I wouldn’t make a mistake in the middle of tryouts. I am so thankful that I was given the chance to be on the team.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Advice that I would give to someone who wants to be where I am today, is: Nobody’s opinion about you matters except yours. If you can believe it, you can absolutely do it. Never let anyone stop you.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years, I hope to be graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from college, and continuing to work hard to become a NICU Nurse.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
Something I like to do in my pastime is to go shopping with my mom. I love when she and I have the chance to spend mother-daughter time together. During these trips, we make some of the best memories together.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
Alright, brace yourself for this one. I have a unique talent where I’m able to contort my tongue into various shapes. For instance, I can form a regular taco shape, create a wavy pattern, fold it in half, and even flip it upside down in both directions. It might sound unusual, but it’s true.

3 Things on your bucket list
For me, I try to live life to the fullest, not necessarily narrow it down to a bucket list. But I have always wanted to travel the world and see all of the amazing features that there is to see.

Who do you find inspiring?
To me, my mom is the most inspiring person I have met. She has been an amazing mom, supporting me in every little thing I do, she has done countless tasks for me, and I can’t thank her enough, she is the best.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I believe that I am inspiring to others because of my determined and compassionate nature, as well as my commitment to helping others and being a role model. My resilience and dedication make a positive impact on others around me.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
From the time of Kindergarten up until now, (13 years), I have played the violin and have excelled in the art of it. It has been a joy getting to play this instrument for so long and from such a young age.

Look for Jessie in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

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