Logan Eddington

Logan Eddington - Indiana
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by
grin&barrett photography
Issue 38 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

​The Nomination: Logan Eddington is a fierce, hardworking young lady. Logan achieved a Black Belt in Karate by the age of 10, while playing every sport imaginable. After, she was a competitive dancer for 6 years, competed in all four years of show choir (women's and mixed), has been a show choir dance captain for three years, cast in every HS musical and HS play, volunteered for several community organizations, member of National Honor Society, taught herself Piano and will now represent Plainfield in the DYW State competition. Logan spends most of her time outside of activities giving back and helping others.

Photography by grin&barrett photography

​How old were you when you started learning karate and what inspired you to start learning it?
When I first started Karate I was seven years old. The art of Karate inspired me to learn because it looked fun and had many positive impacts in both physical ability and character. Karate teaches strength, agility, confidence, and discipline. Learning Karate not only helped me build confidence in myself, but I have been able to utilize the positive impacts in personal relationships and leadership positions. It has been a pleasure to pass what I have learned about dedication and hard work to my peers, so they can achieve the goals they have set out for them as well.

How much work did it take for you to earn your black belt by the age of 10? Tell me about everything you had to accomplish and the process of getting your black belt?
Earning a black belt took a lot of hard work and dedication. I studied the art of Shorei-Goju-Ryu at least 3-4 times a week after school and on the weekends for four years. In that time, I was trained on six weapons, learned many different self-defense and sparring techniques, and was inducted into the very exclusive SWAT (special winning attitude team) and Masters club. Accomplishing this so young allowed me to apply the leadership skills and discipline in my work, academics, personal relationships, sports, dance, theatre, and music.

Tell me more about how you got started with music/acting/dance and how you got the opportunity to represent Plainfield in DYW state competition and what this competition is!
When I first got started in music I began by participating in choir at school and my church, doing as many musicals as possible and joining a competitive dance team for six years. As I moved on to High School, I was accepted into an all-girls Show Choir as a Freshman. Competing in Show Choir has been one of best decisions I could have made because I was able to apply my love of dancing, singing, and acting all at the same time. I have also been cast in roles in each of our High School Plays and Musicals. Being able to share my love of dance with my peers, by obtaining the role of dance captain for the past three years, has been very rewarding and has allowed me to develop skills in public speaking, cleaning choreography, assessing ability and guiding my peers to success.

As a Junior I was able to participate in the Distinguished Young Women (DYW) program, formerly called Junior Miss, introducing a participant and going through the process with them while they participated. I have also had several friends participate in previous years that were very motivating and successful in the competition. DYW is an organization that provides leadership classes as well as scholarship opportunities for young women. This program teaches young women about important life skills including, leadership, advice on interviewing, public speaking, and self-confidence building. Watching my friends participate and what they learned through joining the program inspired me to participate as a Senior. There are five categories the young women are scored: Interview, Fitness, Self-Expression, Talent, and Scholastics. I was awarded the title of Plainfield’s Distinguished Young Woman of 2021, and was the top scorer in Interview, Fitness, Self-Expression, and Talent. I am honored to represent Plainfield in February in the State DYW competition and hope to continue to learn leadership skills that I can carry with me throughout life into my career.

Photography by grin&barrett photography

​What are your responsibilities as choir dance captain and what does it mean to you to have been selected as captain?
I am extremely honored to have been chosen as a Show Choir dance captain. This position has provided opportunities in leading practices, teaching choreography, and cleaning choreography. Being able to learn a significant amount about what it means to be a servant leader has been life changing. It has been an honor to be in Show Choir leadership for three years, and through that time my confidence has grown exponentially. Being able to help others with something I am passionate about is such a rewarding feeling, and it has given me many opportunities to broaden my knowledge of dance as well.

What different volunteer projects have you been a part of and which has been your favorite? Why?
To name a few volunteer projects, I have raised money for JDRF, the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, volunteered to tutor my peers, and the GM Get Wise program. Volunteering for the Get WISE program at General Motors has been my favorite experience overall. The Get WISE program encourages 6th grade girls to consider future careers in the STEM field to close the gender gap within the careers. It has been such a rewarding experience the past few years to help these young girls realize their full potential. Mentoring, encouraging, motivating and teaching kids that they can be anything they set their mind to is an extremely important thing, and I am honored to have been selected from many to be a part of that experience.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
If you stay humble and put in the work, you can achieve anything.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plan for the future?
I am not sure where life will take me in five years, but whatever happens I will be working hard and living happily.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in your nomination?
I love poetry. Whether it is in a book, a song, or spoken word, I love everything about poetry.

Something on your bucket list?
I would like to travel to Europe and learn a new language.

Who do you find inspiring?
My choir teacher. She has been an inspiration in so many ways, and has proved to me the value of kindness, respect, and servant leadership.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I have been told that my positivity and kindness can be inspiring.

Photography by grin&barrett photography

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
I was a competitive dancer for six years where I studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and tap. I am currently trying to study these virtually to stay up to date on the industry, to help further my career.

Currently I am a Consultant for Rodan and Fields. Since I am not 18, I am working with my mother and plan to take over the business after my birthday. It is fun to have a business like this because everyone is aging, and I get to teach youth as well as adults the importance of self-care. Developing a routine in the morning and before bed has been proven to minimize anxiety and what better way than making yourself look more youthful in the process. Having healthy skin helps build self-confidence and gives everyone the ability to put their best self forward.

It is an honor and a privilege to be named Director of County Operations (DCO) for ELM Services, LLC. Not only do I get to change the course of children's lives, but I get to assist guardians of troubled youth in parenting their child better. I may not be able to work directly with the clients right now since I am not 18 years old, but I am able to help develop curriculum that will be used in teaching important life skills. The best part is I get to develop it from a child's perspective while integrating theory and industry standards. Most curriculum throughout the industry is built from an adult perspective and I have the ability to change the industry for the better, to give children a voice and make children's lives better.

Logan will be featured in issue 38 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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