Madison Steinlage

Madison Steinlage – Kansas
Nomination by Katelyn
Photography by Eduardo Godinez from Cuervo Media
Issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Madison Steinlage is inspiring because of her kindness, loyalty, and faith. Madison is constantly reaching out to those around her and genuinely cares for everyone she encounters. She goes out of her way to make people feel loved and welcome. She is loyal to her friends and family and continuously shows up to support them. She is an example of deep faith to all in her community through her words and actions that point to Christ. She inspires me to be a better person, welcome all, and show up to support those closest to me.

Photography by Eduardo Godinez from Cuervo Media
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Tell us about your friend group and what you like to do together.
Recently one of my teachers said that your friend is a “group” when there is welcoming and inclusion, and a “clique” when the group of people is not open to adding others into the group. I have found senior year that I have made the greatest friendships by being open to grow in relationships with new people as well as flourishing in old ones. I have close friends who I usually get together with and do fun things like blueberry picking, going to pumpkin patches, eating meals together, and just be goofy and hanging out.
 
What is a favorite memory with your friends?
One particular memory with my friends that I’ll always cherish was when we slept on my friend Annie’s trampoline. We hung sheets, fairy lights and draped blankets over the jumping surface to make a cozy and cute outdoor sleepover setting. We made videos answering questions such as who we thought we would become, what our favorite memories have been, and what we look forward to our last year at the same school. We decided we will watch them for the first time when we graduate from high school!
 
What is your family like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
I am the second of four kids, raised by two loving parents. My older sister Lauren is competitive and goal-driven. My younger sister Jacqueline is my go-to for outfit advice or an honest opinion, and the “baby”, Caleb, is very into athletics and is one of the most amiable people I know. Our parents raised us to be disciplined in our schooling and sports, to have compassion for all, and to give our all and whatever the outcome, give God the glory. I would consider myself extremely determined and the best cookie baker. 
 
What is a favorite family tradition you hope never ends?
My parents met in college at Kansas State University, as did the majority of my other aunts and uncles on my dad’s side, so naturally our family bleeds purple. There are thirteen of us grandchildren on my dad’s side of the family, and we have grown up going to a home game or two as a family all dressed in our Wildcats gear, tailgating before the game, cheering on our team, and sometimes even playing catch or racing our cousins on the field after the games. As we grow older, I hope that this tradition will stay alive.
 
How has your faith helped shape you as a teen?
My faith has been such a gift for me in my life, especially as a teen. The noise of the world will present the message that I am and will never be enough; I am the sum of my past mistakes. But through my faith in Jesus I can know that my identity does not rest in who I am as a broken human in a world of chaos, but that I can find my peace in Him. As a teen, believing the truths that God tells me instead of worldly deceptions are what has helped shape me.
 
What do you enjoy learning most about your religion?
This semester, I have been taking a religion and philosophy based class called Apologetics. I have enjoyed being a sponge in that class as nearly every time I step foot into the door, I leave with a mind-boggling realization about the truths of Christ, my Catholic faith, and Jesus in Himself. There is always more to learn about Catholicism, and I love to embrace all aspects of what we believe in and the truth that is revealed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I love to serve in the community. G.R.A.C.E. (Girls Respond Actively to Christ's Example), is a girls youth group I am involved in through my school, and the junior and senior girls have the opportunity to partake in a local mission trip over the summer. Whether it was filling up jugs for Uplift vans to hand out to homeless people, or dancing with adults at Willow Tree who have developmental disorders, I loved getting to help make a difference in the lives of those around me whether big or small.

What have you learned about yourself through serving others?
Through serving others, I have realized that it truly is in giving that we receive. Being able to help others, either through direct acts of service or behind-the-scenes acts of kindness has given me the hope that I can make a difference in the lives of others. “Make a difference”, is a phrase instilled in me since I was young as my Nana and Papa always taught me and my cousins to live by. Through serving others, I can see Christ in each of them and recognize that we are alike through our identity as Children of God.

What have you learned about the world around you?
Being only eighteen years old, I am still navigating the world around me and always will be. One thing I have learned though, is that some of the happiest people are the ones who have the least. Two of my close friends in high school have gone through and overcome pediatric cancer, and their witness to joy and hope in times when I would expect the most despair has changed my outlook on life. The world will always have trials and tribulations, but if I take courage and trust in God, I will find joy in all things.
 
What would you most like to talk about in your interview?
I am a captain for St. Gianna Molla Community at my school, a position voted for by the community at the end of my junior year. At St. James Academy, there are eight communities named after canonized Saints. Within each community are typically six houses. Every day, there is built-in time for prayer and announcements within our community, and time to break into houses and play games with the intention of growing in relationship with peers at school. I get to jump into houses, plan competitions amongst the communities, and ensure members of Gianna Molla feel known, seen, and loved.
 
What leadership opportunities have you had through fellowship?
I am on the  Leadership Team for Draw Near, a faith-related monthly night of praise and worship as well as Adoration of Jesus being exposed in the monstrance, with the opportunity for the sacrament of Reconciliation. I was a Coordinator for G.R.A.C.E. Summer Mission Trip this year, and led a night with two other girls focusing on “sweetness”. I was a Board Member for KAY Thunder Service Club my sophomore and junior years, and was a member of the Student Advancement Committee my sophomore and junior year as well.
 
What is your strongest leadership quality?
My strongest leadership quality is empathy. I am able to make connections with others and get to know them which enables them to count on me because I can relate to them. Being able to relate to others and feel what they are feeling, or read into what someone may be going through is a quality which allows me to build a relationship with them and in turn, they want to help too because they know I care and want the best for them. 
 
What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I could talk about Italy forever. Last year I saved up to go on a pilgrimage to visit Rome and Assisi over Spring Break. Going on that pilgrimage had to be one of the best decisions I have made. Being immersed in the culture of Italy and taking in the architecture and food was amazing, but most of all I loved getting to step foot in the Basilicas and Cathedrals. The extravagance and beauty to behold in them is only a fraction of the beauty that the Lord has for us in Heaven.
 
If you could go anywhere next in the world, where would it be and why?
I would love to visit Austria next. The movie, The Sound of Music, was filmed there and I think the scenery and culture would be a very peaceful yet adventurous atmosphere. It would be so fun to run up the open, grassy hills singing songs from the movie! 
 
How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I found my photographer through my school. Eddie worked at St. James doing lots of media coverage and would incorporate me into some school event photos or promotional videos! He reached out to us and was eager to help us get senior photos taken. I loved his “dad” jokes to get the raw photos that captured the giggles and fun pictures. He’s an awesome photographer, and an even better person!
 
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine because it is a great opportunity to display the gifts that God has given me and to remind others that they can showcase theirs as well! Being on Inspiring Teens Magazine would be a delight to see that others have taken interest in what I have worked hard for and who I have grown to become. The opportunity to earn a scholarship is an added bonus!
 
What is a favorite memory you have with the person who nominated you?
Katelyn Menghini and I met the summer going into our freshmen year at a basketball get together, and the joy and faith that has stemmed from our friendship is something I will always cherish. Our friendship has flourished in many ways throughout high school, with the highs and lows of life and our love for the Lord and each other has gotten us through hurdles life has thrown at us. I am forever grateful to God for the many fruits of a competitive, freeing, and wholesome relationship which Katelyn and I have been blessed to receive.
  
If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
I would be taking a nice day off from extracurriculars and schoolwork. Daily Mass would be my only pitstop for the morning, then I would come home and get back in bed with my heated blanket. I would read a book for a while, then browse Pinterest for baking inspiration. A hobby I really enjoy but struggle to make time for is baking, so I would concoct sweet treats in the kitchen, and have my family taste-test. To end the day, I’d make myself a big batch of popcorn and watch a romantic-comedy movie. 
 
What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am super excited for the rest of my time at St. James Academy, and for the last memories I will make in high school. While I have not discerned where God is calling me to attend college, I desire to double major in Catholic Studies as well as either business or education. I am looking forward to fostering new friendships at college in addition to sustaining friendships with those I have encountered in high school, and the teachers I have gotten to know along the way.
  
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Start by building a foundation of trust in the Lord, and you will find Him in all things! Journaling at the beginning or end of every day, reading the Word of God in the Bible, and striving to love others in the same way Christ loves each of us is a great place to start-whether that is through a sport, activity, club, or community of people you can love. 
 
What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I enjoy being a manager for the girls basketball team at my high school. I have been involved on the team since freshman year and have formed close friendships with the coaches, as well as gotten to know the girls on the team and the other managers.
 
Is there anything else you would like to tell us? 
I just want to thank my parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins, as well as my friends for helping me become the person I am today, I love you! Thanks be to God for blessing me with these people in my life, and for this opportunity to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine.

Look for Madison in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!
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click here for more information on issue 86

click here to nominate an inspiring teen