Lucy Conner

Lucy Conner – Tennessee
Nomination by Jennifer Conner
Photography by Beverly Reid Photography
Issue 53 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Lucy Conner is an inspiring teen! Lucy’s passion for life is evident through her contagious smile. She has a servant’s heart, always giving of her time and attention. She is both fun-loving and responsible. As an honor student, Lucy is dedicated to her education and is looking forward to attending college. She has a passion for business and culinary arts. When she isn’t studying or volunteering in her community, she enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family, friends, and her puppies. I am so pleased to share Lucy’s character with you. She is a beautiful young lady, inside and out.
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Photography by Beverly Reid Photography

​What would you most like to be interviewed about?
I would love to be interviewed about perseverance and what it looks like to accomplish your goals, even in the most challenging of circumstances. I was adopted from a rural town in Poland six years ago. When I came to the United States, I did not speak any English, and I was adjusting to a new family and a new culture. I did not let that discourage me. I was determined to find joy in the journey. I want others to know you can accomplish your dreams if you possess the desire and perseverance to do so.

Tell us more about this process. How did you come to live in America at 10?
I was 10 when my mother adopted me and my sister. I lived in an orphanage my entire life, as both of my parents died when I was an infant. My mother flew to Poland to get to know us. After our court hearing, we left Poland and I flew on a plane for the first time. We landed at the airport on November 7, 2015. I was surrounded by family members with greeting signs, balloons, and plenty of hugs. I didn’t speak their language, so all I could do is grin from ear to ear and hug them back.

What was your biggest struggle with adjusting and how did you overcome it?
The biggest struggle was the adjustment to a new language and culture. I was so fortunate to be blessed with the most wonderful teachers, Mrs. Lisa Holland, and Mrs. Jennifer Greer. They dedicated their days to helping me learn English and acclimate to my new school. I will be forever grateful to them. In the rural community where I lived in Poland, we walked dirt roads to school and church, and most of the food we ate came from our garden. I had to adapt quickly to commuting to school, using technology resources, and familiarizing myself with fast food.

What was your first big accomplishment here where you knew everything was going to be ok?
The first moment that comes to mind occurred during the school Christmas pageant in December of 2015. I had only been here for a month, but nonetheless, I stood on stage, and in front of thousands of parents and students I sang “One in a Million” from the Flakes soundtrack. The lyrics were so perfect for the moment, “You’re one, one in a million! No other ‘neath the sun. You’re one, one in a million! And the reasons you’re special are a million in one.” In that moment I thought, nothing can hold me back. I can do this!

Do you travel back at all and if so what is it like?
I have not traveled back to Poland since I left in 2015. However, my Christmas gift this year was a passport, so I am hoping to travel to many places, including Poland. The caretakers of the orphanage I lived in are wonderful people and I would love to visit them and thank them for taking such wonderful care of me. I lived in a very rural farming community in Poland, and I would love to visit the cities and soak my feet in the Baltic Sea. As a student of culinary art, I am also looking forward to the food.

What would you say is a big difference between Polish and American teens?
I would say there are more similarities than there are differences. Of course, my situation was unique, but the thing that stands out the most to me is the pace of life. In Poland, after school activities were rare, and consisted mostly of playing soccer. In America, everything seems to move at the speed of light. Having multiple extra-curricular activities as a teen is normal, and social media use is commonplace. I didn’t have a phone or a computer in Poland. While I enjoy those luxuries now, I can say with certainty that I am also comfortable without them.

Photography by Beverly Reid Photography

​What inspiring things about you does your nomination does not cover?
I feel so blessed with opportunity. I want to experience all the joy life has to offer. I have been fortunate to play a variety of sports, but my favorites are sailing, cheerleading and golf. I began playing golf at age 10 and I haven’t put my clubs down since then. I also began sailing at the age of 10, and I’ve become quite skilled at it. All these activities were new and unfamiliar to me. However, I didn’t let fear stop me from discovering some of my greatest passions. I want to inspire others to follow their dreams!

Where do you sail in Tennessee and what do you love most about it?
I learned to sail at the Privateer Yacht Club in Hixson, TN. I was absolutely terrified the first time I sailed in high winds and was hit on the head by the boom. Since then, I’ve learned the benefits of awareness and good communication before making any maneuvers. I love sailing because it combines the elements of freedom, excitement, and competition. The feeling of being on the open water with the wind in my hair, combined with being responsible for my vessel is empowering. I never dreamed I would sail, but now it is one of my favorite sports.

Tell us about your cheer team and experiences on it.
I have loved to dance, flip and twirl since I was a toddler. I never heard of cheerleading until I moved to the U.S.; but once I discovered it, I was hooked. I began gymnastics lessons in elementary school, and then tried out for the squad in middle school. I served as team captain my 8th grade year. We cheered for our teams and competed at NCA events in Nashville. Stunting is my favorite physical aspect of cheer, and that is where I focus most of my effort these days.

What is a favorite memory with your cheer team?
A highlight of my experience was cheering on the Atlanta Hawks court in State Farm Arena. Following a Hawk’s game, my school was invited to play on their court, and of course, we were there to support both our boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. The energy in the arena was contagious. The sights and sounds were magical, and it helped us perform even stronger as a team. It was our moment to shine, and we made every second count. I also enjoyed pep rallies, because that is when we could get the entire study-body involved in supporting our school teams.

We would love to know most about your golf career. How did you get involved and what do you love most about it?
My golf career began when my mother was shopping for a tennis racquet. As she shopped, I explored the store’s golf section, hitting golf balls into the cup on the artificial green. I fell in love with golf right then and there. I purchased a beginner set of clubs and my mother signed me up for lessons with the First Tee organization. From there, I went on to play in the PGA Junior League and on my middle school and high school teams. Golf requires patience and confidence. Those are traits I have, but also want to continue developing.

What is a favorite accomplishment from golf?
My favorite accomplishment might sound trivial, but it occurs each time I step onto the course. Golf can be intimidating, even to a seasoned pro. And while I do measure some success based on my score or rank in a tournament, I am more fulfilled by acknowledging my resolve to confidently participant in a male dominated sport. In junior high, I was the only girl on my team, but I held my own. I seek continuous improvement in developing my technique, strength and power with every ball I hit at the driving range and every round of golf I play.

Where has been your favorite place to play, and where would you love to play if you could pick any golf course in the world?
So far, The Osprey Point Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina has been my favorite course to play. The scenery is beautiful, and there is plenty of wildlife to observe throughout the course. The last time I was there, a large alligator was basking right in the middle of the cart path. Like most golfers, I dream of playing at the Augusta National Golf Club. I would also be thrilled just practice and work on my skills at Bubba Watson’s Pensacola Golf Center. Watson is my favorite golfer and a great source of inspiration for me.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
I want to talk to my peers about being more present and connected. Life is about relationships. Spending quality time with people you care about is important. It’s also important to connect with people in your community through the gift of your time and random acts of kindness. We are created with a purpose, and to fulfill that purpose we must invest our time and energy. I would encourage all my peers to be intentional with their time. A phone call, a hand-written letter, a walk to visit a neighbor, all these things could change the course of someone’s day.

Photography by Beverly Reid Photography

​Why did you choose Beverly Reid Photography as your photographer? What was your experience like and what did you appreciate most about it?
My experience working with Beverly Reid has been delightful. I carefully examined the photography of other artists in my community, but I was consistently drawn to her aesthetic. My perception of her work was confirmed when I saw the prints from my first photoshoot with her. The styling and lighting were attractive, but more importantly, I recognized the girl in the image. She captured both my physical attributes and my personality. I most appreciate her commitment to create beautiful, yet authentic photographs that I will enjoy forever. I also love that she is inclusive and cares about my opinions.

Are you on a model team there? If so, what do you do in it and what do you love most about it? (we're asking because of the cute Valentine’s pic with a friend!)
This year I am part of Mrs. Reid’s Teen Model Team. Next year, I will represent her brand on the Senior Model Team. The fun picture you referenced was made with my sister as part of a Galentine’s mini-session. My sister is my best friend and we have so much fun working together on photo shoots. We feed off each other’s energy. Given the circumstances in which we grew up, we do not have a lot of pictures from our childhood. Working with Mrs. Reid has given us the opportunity to fill our picture frames and scrapbooks with lovely photos.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I have ever done was leaving the only home I had ever known to create a better life and future for myself and my sister. My faith, determination, and ability to adapt were the tools I used to accomplish this goal.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Anything worth achieving takes your full effort. You were designed with a purpose, and you should never stop striving to fulfill that purpose. You are worth it!

Photography by Beverly Reid Photography

​Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I plan to graduate from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism, with a focus in the culinary arts. I endeavor to pursue a career that allows me to travel, create, and inspire.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I have a penchant for the performing arts. My show choir group placed 2nd in the state for our performance of “Carry on Wayward Son.” I have also been cast in performances of Mary Poppins, Cinderella and Peter Pan.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
My hidden talent is creating and editing videos. In fact, I placed fourth in the state at the 2022 Tennessee Beta Club convention in the Technology division. I was awarded for a video I created that featured the convention’s theme, “Beta Together.”

3 Things on your Bucket List
1. Cooking with Erin French from “The Lost Kitchen.”
2. Serving displaced families and orphans following natural disasters.
3. Battling a billfish in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

Who do you find inspiring?
I watched my mother battle cancer surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Through it all, she was faithful, humble, and determined. She modeled her values for us, and I will always be inspired by her strength.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
Laughter and smiles are contagious, and I genuinely enjoy sharing them. I am an imperfect person, but I am grateful for my talents. I’m not afraid to let people see that I am vulnerable and sensitive.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I am incredibly thankful to Beverly Reid, Leslie Conway and the team at Inspiring Teen Magazine for giving me the opportunity to share my story. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. I have faith that my story will reach the right person(s) at just the right time.

Look for Lucy in issue 53 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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click here for more information on issue 53

click here to nominate an inspiring teen