Lexi Azpurua

Lexi Azpurua – North Carolina
Nomination & Photography by Waugh 2 Waugh Photography
Issue 100 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
​

​Nomination: Lexi strives to be a positive role model while allowing her faith and passions to shine through. Her genuine enthusiasm-in athletics, volunteering, and school endeavors-naturally shines a positive influence on those around her. She hopes that her love and commitment to animal rescue inspires others.

Photography by Waugh 2 Waugh Photography​
​

What inspiring qualities or accomplishments weren’t highlighted in your nomination?
I love getting involved in hobbies that benefit others, hoping my actions inspire others to do the same. By volunteering in other things like local sports teams and contributing to clubs like HOSA or FFA, always aiming for my efforts to be genuinely helpful. Ultimately, I try my best to participate in activities and surround myself with people who I can inspire as much as they inspire me.
Inspiring others often starts with inspiring yourself. By striving to be my best, I aim to be a positive role model, allowing my faith and passions to shine through. I've found that when people witness genuine enthusiasm - whether it's through athletics, volunteering, or prioritizing my education - they naturally connect with that drive. It is also my hope that my love and commitment to animal rescue can inspire others to channel similar dedication into their own aspirations. Ultimately I believe that in striving to be the best version of yourself, this passion will naturally shine a positive influence on others.
 
Can you share a moment when you realized someone was inspired by your example?
Being positive can really lift people up, especially when things get intense or tough, I've noticed that having an optimistic attitude at athletic events, whether as an athlete or as a volunteer, can make a big difference for everyone around me. That is why I'd hope my positivity inspires others to have this same outlook during any situation.
 
How has your faith shaped the way you approach leadership and service?
Faith has shaped my leadership and service because it's shaped me as a person, not only in church but everywhere. Having God beside me means everything, and I hope to be a positive role model, allowing my faith to shine through me. I pray for others to find God and follow Him, because with Him, anything is possible. Ultimately, faith has shaped the way I approach leadership and service because it shaped me first.
 
What have you learned about yourself through your involvement in HOSA, FFA, or athletics?
I've discovered my true passions: animals, people, sports, and community or family. I've also learned that a community of people with passions is incredibly powerful. Plus, I've figured out how to pursue my goals and what I truly value.
 
Is there a specific volunteer experience that had a lasting impact on you?
While animals are a true passion of mine, I also greatly value my experience as a wrestling volunteer and scorekeeper. I've enjoyed the different athletic environment and the amazing parents, coaches, and athletes. I'll forever value the volunteer experience and its impact on me. Although to most people it might not sound super exciting or enticing, it has allowed me to connect with so many people and build such a strong family.
 
How do you stay motivated when balancing so many commitments?
While balancing many commitments, I found it vital to build friendships and relationships. Making those connections helps motivate and hold each other accountable, while also enjoying the experience with someone just as passionate as I am.
 
What originally sparked your dream of working with animals?
Growing up, I've always had so many animals around the house, whether exotic or domestic, and I've always enjoyed their presence. I can't say there's one moment that sparked my dream of working with animals. However, I think you just know what your passion and desire are, and over time, I've found that working with and benefiting animals is my true dream.
 
What current goals and/or projects are you working on now?
Right now my focus is on starting at Wilkes Community College for a semester or two. After that I aim to transfer to a four-year university to major in biology, keeping my love for animals at the forefront. Whether I end up in a zoology or in a veterinary program, my ultimate goal is to make a real positive impact on animals, which is something I have dreamed about since I was a kid.
 
What qualities do you believe are most important for someone entering the veterinary or zoology field?
I think dedication, passion, and compassion are the most important traits for someone entering the veterinary or zoology field. With any career involving people, animals, or healthcare, it's vital to have someone who is caring and compassionate, but also dedicated and hardworking.
 
How are you preparing now for the academic challenges of a biology major?
In all honesty, I don't think there's much you can do to prepare for the academic challenges of a biology major. Regardless of how hard-working you are in high school, college is a new level, and it's always gonna be a bit of a culture shock. However, I believe that with a good support system and so many friends and family looking out for me, the challenges along the way will be easier as I dedicate myself to a new goal that will help me ultimately achieve my dreams and passions.
 
What kind of impact do you hope to make in the field of animal care long term?
With both exotic and domestic animals, I hope that I can make a difference in their lives. Realistically, I know that I'm unable to help all the animals in the world as much as I would love to. However, I strive to affect and touch as many lives as I possibly can. I think animals are so innocent and capable. I think they deserve  an opportunity for people to give them a life that they were meant to have, that they deserve to have, and ultimately, my goal is to do my best to give as many animals as I possibly can a better life.
 
What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I have a really deep connection with animals and could spend forever talking about how much I want to help and protect them. What truly drives me is how unfair it is that so many animals worldwide lack proper homes or are in unfortunate living situations. Thankfully, I can choose to pursue a career that will allow me to work towards giving them better lives, though I do tend to get incredibly passionate and sometimes sidetracked when I talk about it.

If you could change one thing about how animals are treated in the world, what would it be?
I would change the number of unfortunate animals who have bad lives. I would wish for them to be treated with love and respect. I think house pets deserve to have loving owners and homes. Any animal should never face neglect or improper care and ownership. As for animals in nature, they deserve their habitats and homes to be respected and maintained. I would wish for animals to be treated as humans are. Just because they don't have a voice doesn't mean that they don't deserve respect and good lives.
 
How do you handle the emotional side of working with animals who may have experienced neglect or hardship?
In any career working in healthcare, with animals, or with people, there's always going to be an emotional factor. However, I think knowing that you're doing the right thing for the animal, in whatever way that may mean, helps make that job come easier. Obviously, seeing animals in a neglected or hardship state is super unfortunate, but I think that's when it becomes my job to make their life easier and rescue them. I also believe this emotion shows how compassionate you are to be able to express care for that animal. It not only makes you stronger as a person, but stronger as a worker too.
 
What would you say to someone who thinks one person cannot make a difference in animal welfare?
If someone thinks that they cannot make a difference in animal welfare, then maybe it's not something they have enough passion or dedication towards. I think with dedication and hard work, anything is possible, especially when you have a strong support system and faith behind you. If you want to make a difference, then make the difference.  All it takes is some time and hard work, but if you want to make changes in animal welfare, then put your mind and life into it.
 
In what ways do you hope your passion for animals will influence others in your community?
I hope my passion for animals will influence others in my community by enlightening them on what it means to have proper care for their pets and animals. I also hope that my passion for animals will influence others to pursue their dreams and desires. Especially living in a small town, it can be easy to feel limited to only what is local. However, your dreams don't always mean staying in the same place you grew up or currently live. I hope to encourage other people to expand and branch outside the box and see other places if that means pursuing their dreams.
 
How did you find your photographer and what did you love most about the experience?
I discovered my photographer through social media, impressed by their dedication, often seeing them out shooting sports or portraits. What I love most is that from the very beginning, their support and welcoming attitude have been what I value most about working with them. They consistently give me a lot of creative input, and they're excellent at customizing our photoshoots to beautifully combine both my personal style and theirs, always striving for the highest quality photos. I also really value their morals and how they manage to create such a positive and comfortable space.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with Waugh to Waugh Photography was definitely our first senior ambassador meetup. We all got together, played some icebreakers, and introduced ourselves. It was such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and it was great to really chat with the photographers and meet all the other ambassadors. I also really enjoyed my first individual senior session. Both photographers truly brought my dream to life, even expertly navigating tricky spots like busy traffic and quickly capturing amazing angles in crosswalks with the mountains in the back.

What do you love most about being in their ambassador program?
What I love most about being an ambassador is being able to meet so many other young women and men. Both Scott and Misty, along with all the other ambassadors, have taught me so much about what it means to be a good role model and influence. It's also allowed me to meet so many friends and people who have taught me so much. I also take being an ambassador as such an honor, to be able to promote Waugh 2 Waugh's photography in such a way that allows me to have creative opportunities but to also explore their business and entrepreneurship is such an amazing way.
 
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
Watching Waugh to Waugh's journey, and seeing so many other teenagers, including my own friends, get nominated and featured, always made me feel proud and think, "I'd love to be a part of that too." So, getting this opportunity to even fill out these interview questions feels like a real blessing and an incredible chance I could not possibly pass up.

If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?
If I am fortunate enough to win this Scholarship, I'd put it towards a four-year university to chase my dream of becoming a zoologist or veterinarian. My goal is to either attend NC State University or Gardner Webb University.
 
What is your ideal dream job if it were offered to you today?
If I weren't already dedicated to the well-being of animals, I would absolutely love to be a wildlife photographer. Creating a sustainable life for myself by taking photos of animals in their natural habitat and capturing intimate moments like that would be a dream. However, I am determined to help animals and rescue them from neglectful homes, focusing on their health and well-being.
 
Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
With God first in all elements of my life, I thank Him for guiding me on this path. I also couldn't have reached this point without my family and friends, who have created an amazing support system. I'm grateful for their votes, which helped me get her, but especially for their unwavering support, which means the world to me.
 
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
I want to express my gratitude to Waugh 2 Waugh photography for their support in nominating me. I'm thankful for my family and friends. Above all, I believe God comes first and he is the answer to everything. With passion, faith, and dedication, anything is possible.
 
If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
You'd find me cuddled up with my dog, Avalanche, reading and watching movies all day!

Look for Laney in issue 100 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
* Each interview is shared in the teen’s own words so their authentic voice shines through.

click here for more information on issue 100

click here to nominate an inspiring teen