Kiersten Gagnon

Kiersten Gagnon – Indiana
Nomination & Photography by April Moore Creations, LLC
Issue 53 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Kiersten Gagnon is inspiring because she is very active in school and her community. She is an officer in FFA, varsity cheer and cheer competitions, gymnastics, and softball. FFA does many activities to help the community. Through this she has volunteered time to CASWA, Adopt A Family, Making Tie Blankets for Riley, Tom farms Appreciation Supper. In the summer she volunteers to run the baby animal barn at the county fair. She also works as a server at local diner.
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Photography by April Moore Creations, LLC

​What do you want us to know about you?
One thing everyone should know about me is that I like to be involved in my community and I do that by participating in school and out of school activities. I have been a cheerleader since I was six. This year, I decided to go out on a limb and try gymnastics and softball. When I’m not participating with my athletic teams, I’m either participating in an FFA activity or am working as a waitress. I have gained so many skills with all of these activities from teamwork, work ethic, and communicating with others. Most importantly, I have developed relationships with people I wouldn’t have if I wasn’t involved.

Tell us about your cheer career.
I started tumbling classes when I was three. During my classes, I became interested because I could see the cheer teams practice. At age seven I joined my first All-Star completion cheer team and immediately fell in love with cheer! Since then, I have been on multiple All-Star teams which have been very successful. While competing, we qualified for Nationals and received 2nd in our division. My sophomore year was the last year I competed All-Star, but I still compete with my high school competition team. What I love most about cheer is the connection I make with my teammates.

What is your cheer team like? What is a favorite memory with them?
This year I cheered for High School Varsity Football and competed with two of our Highschool competition team. My team is very close and we work really well together. We all have a drive to be successful in cheer. My favorite memory was getting 5th at state and getting recognized at our school for being the first squad at our school to be in the top 5 in our division. Our success drives us to better making us stronger every year.

What did you find most surprising in gymnastics?
The thing I found most surprising about gymnastics was how much mental strength and physical strength it takes to learn new skills and compete in the events. Tumbling comes more naturally as I’ve been doing it for thirteen years. However, getting on a balance beam where I have to focus on staying on the beam while completing my routine (skills) is very challenging.

Photography by April Moore Creations, LLC

Have you started softball yet and if so, what is your team like?
Softball in Indiana is a spring sport and will begin in March thus I have not started softball yet. Since this is my first year, and I am a junior, I have been working with multiple coaches outside of school to assist my batting, throwing, and speed work to prepare me for tryouts.

What do you do in FFA and what is a favorite accomplishment?
Currently, I’m the FFA chapter’s secretary. I am also in charge of the social media posts for all FFA events/ activities. My favorite accomplishment was receiving the Leadership Award my first year in FFA while at Leadership Camp.

What have you learned working as a waitress that might surprise others who have never worked in that industry?
I have learned that there are lots of responsibilities while waitressing. Time management and multitasking are big factors. While I’m waiting my table, I also have to complete multiple tasks such as prepare certain sides, refill beverages and anything else requested from any customer (not just at the table I’m waitressing at). It’s not the easy job I thought it would be, but I love it and the challenges that come with it.

What do you feel is your best leadership skill that you've learned through all these activities?
I have learned how your attitude can affect everyone around you. Whether it be cheering on my fellow teammates in gymnastics or being extra kind to a customer that appears to be in a bad mood, just a little positivity can change others attitudes around you.

Photography by April Moore Creations, LLC

​Why did you choose April Moore Creations to be your photographer? Are you on her model team?
I chose April Moore Creation to be my photographer because I love how versatile her photos are. My experience with April was fun. I loved that we told her our visions and she made them even better than we thought possible. I am on the April Moore Creations Senior Model Team for 2023. I love that I get to do photo shoots with a bunch of my friends!

Tell us more about CASWA. What is it and what are your roles and responsibilities as a volunteer?
CASWA is a Community Appreciation Supper Worker Auction. Our FFA chapter hosts on an annual basis a free dinner for everyone in our community. My main role this year was to collect donated items to make chili and hot dogs for everyone that attended. However, I also helped set up, serve, and tear down the event.

Where do you spend the most time volunteering and why do you love it so much?
I have volunteered the most at the animal shelter. I love volunteering there because I get to play and love on dogs and cats that do not have owners. I enjoy interacting with them and seeing all their different personalities.

What is a favorite memory from volunteering?
My favorite memory from volunteering is when I was showing my rabbits at family fun night for FFA. We put on a big petting zoo for everyone in the community to come out and play with baby animals. It is really rewarding to see children pet farm animals for the first time.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I love animals, big or small. 4-H really allowed this passion to develop. I showed dairy steers, feeder calves, goats, rabbits and chickens. I showed mostly at open shows, county fair, and at the state fair. 4-H taught me a lot about responsibility while I was caring for all the animals. However, during my sophomore year, I had to make a difficult decision – if I continued with 4-H, I would not be able to participate in athletics. Therefore, I chose athletics. FFA has helped fill the void of 4-H since I’m still involved at the county fair.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
A topic I would like to present to my peers is how FFA is not just about knowledge of agriculture. FFA has positively influenced generations for more than 85 years. FFA develops leadership skills, healthy living, confidence, work ethic, community service, lifelong friendships, communication, business development, good sportsmanship, and so much more. Most of my favorite memories so far include service work I have participated in with FFA. We work very hard completing these tasks but knowing we helped others, is worth it. FFA is what helped me develop into the person I am today.

Photography by April Moore Creations, LLC

​What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
My advice to someone would be to always look forward. Try to always keep a positive attitude and use every mistake made as a learning opportunity.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years I plan to be a senior in college about to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I also hope to be in my final year of cheerleading for the university I attend.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
My favorite activity aside from what has already been mentioned is snowboarding. I learned to snowboard last year and I have loved it ever since. I try to go as much as my schedule will allow.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
My hidden talent is that I can knit and I REALLY enjoy doing it. Not many 16 years know how to knit. I have learned how to make scarves and blankets.

3 Things on your bucket list
3 things on my bucket list are Sky Diving, going to Big Major Cay Beach in the Bahamas, and traveling to the Haiti to volunteer with the children there.

Who do you find inspiring?
The most inspiring person in my life is my mom. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her. She solely ensures I have everything I need to be successful.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
My positive attitude inspires others. Also, I think I am inspiring because I have the drive to be successful and while caring about others.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I really appreciate this opportunity that April Moore’s nomination to Inspiring Teen Magazine has given me. I hope that my story can inspire others.

Look for Kiersten in issue 53 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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