Inspiring Teens
  • Home
    • Teams
  • Nominate
  • Scholarships
  • Featured
  • Magazines
    • 2023 Issues >
      • Issue 64
      • Issue 63
    • 2022 Issues >
      • Issue 62
      • Issue 61
      • Issue 60
      • Issue 59
      • Issue 58
      • Issue 57
      • Issue 56
      • Issue 55
      • Issue 54
      • Issue 53
      • Issue 52
      • Issue 51
  • Essays

Natalie Howard

11/18/2021

 
Picture

Natalie Howard - Arizona
Nomination & Photography by Nicole Carson Bonilla Portrait Studio
Issue 51 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
​

Nomination: Natalie’s gift of positivity has allowed her inner light to shine in the face of adversity as she has endured the challenges of Covid-19 and moving to a new community and high school. Like the soaring spires of sorghum next to her, she has grown from these experiences and found a way to express who she is and be true to herself. As the youngest of four children, she brings laughter and joy to her family and is always ready with a joke or funny story. She is active in her community and a wonderful example of caring for others.

Picture
Photography by Nicole Carson Bonilla Portrait Studio
​Tell us about your dancing.
A big part of my life is my dancing. I’ve been doing dance for about half my life. When I was about 7, I started ballet and fell in love with it. A few years later, I was on acrobatic competition team and participated in several competitions. I loved being on the stage with my teammates. There were some tough moments, but I learned so much by being a part of a team that relies on each other so much. We won a few awards and had a great time. I’ve also taken, jazz, contemporary, modern dance, gymnastics, and hip-hop classes.

What has been a favorite accomplishment from dance and why?
When I am practicing for a dance that I have been working on for a while, I feel so much accomplishment and reward being able to perform in front of others. I know all my hard work has been worth it and I feel good about myself.

What has been your favorite dance competition?
 In June 2019, I performed at the KARS dance competition with my Jazz group. The experience was amazing! When the adrenaline kicked it, I was able to perform at my best and have tons of energy on stage. It was definitely one of my best performances of my life!

Tell us about a struggle you went through with dance and how you overcame it.
When I was on the acrobatic team, my back was slowly deteriorating. I ended up having to quit that team so I could recover. I was so sad to leave that team but now I am grateful that happened. Because of this break, I was able to try different types of dancing and I discovered my love for contemporary dancing.

What else should we know?
I am starting to get into art and willing to work hard at developing my talents.
I usually just use pencil and paper. I have also made some pieces out of clay.

How has Covid-19 changed you? What is something positive that came out of it for you?
Going through Covid was hard for me. My dance programs were closed, I couldn’t attend church every week, friends couldn’t hang out and school was cancelled for the rest of the year. I just didn’t have anything in my life to inspire me. But coming out of Covid, I have realized how grateful I am for my friends, family, and the activities I can be a part of again.

What things do you do to stay active in your community?
I have been able to help at lots of activities at the YMCA throughout my life. My mom worked there for about 10 years up until Covid hit. Every year she asked me to volunteer at some of their community events working with little kids. Within my church community, I have been a part of food drives, service projects cleaning debris from a property and also helping families in need living in my community.

Picture
Photography by Rene Photography

​What is like being the youngest of 4 kids? What is a favorite memory with your siblings?
 I love having older siblings that I can talk to. We are all really close in age and in school. We all get along so well, hardly ever disagree on important stuff and my sisters are my best friends. My brother is always there to help when I really need him. My favorite memory is shopping with my sisters, going to lunch and jamming out to music in the car.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
How much I love my friends. Even friends I’m not super close with. I just love all of them and they are all amazing people. Being social is something that I need and crave. I just enjoy the feelings I have around others. I love to make jokes, make others smile and feel their positive energy. Making friends hasn’t always been easy for me. It was extremely tough and difficult for me to find friends that I could rely on. Going from a big friend group to only one friend was difficult. Now that I am a new high school and didn’t have any friends from Junior High, it’s been a positive experience. Even though I was dealing with this, something good came out of it- I got to spend more time of my family, and myself. I’m so grateful for that and I wouldn’t change anything.

​​Tell us why you chose Nicole Carson Bonilla Portrait Studio. What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My family has known Nicole Bonilla for about 20 years. She has become an award-winning photographer in the past 3-4 years, and she offered to take photos of me. She worked with me beforehand, did my hair and makeup, and provided the outfits for the photo shoot. She is so talented and fun to work with and this was so cool to be a part of.

Picture
Photography by Nicole Carson Bonilla Portrait Studio

​If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?

I would like to talk about mental health disorders. It’s not talked about enough! Girls and guys are struggling with this and don’t even know it. Just going through any kind of mental disorder is so much for teens and high school adds so much stress to us as well. Worrying about grades and sometime working- it’s just too much for us! I just want teens to feel like than can be open about what’s going on with them, big or small struggles. A big part of it is parents not knowing how to handle it too. I feel that every parent should learn how to handle this if their child ever goes through something hard. This is something that I see happening all around me. It’s hard to see my peers just keeping to themselves and never asking for the help that they deserve.

Look for Natalie in issue 51 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!


click here for more information on issue 51
click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Comments are closed.

    Featured

    Submitted by our members  as well as teens across the world.

    ​Many were published in Inspiring Teens Magazine or iTi STYLE Magazine.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All
    4H
    4 H
    4-H
    Abandoned
    Abbey Burnett
    Abby Cannella
    Abby Roby
    Abigail Doran
    Abigail Fickel
    Academics
    Acting
    Actor
    Actress
    Adoption
    Advocate
    Aidan Mendoza
    Alabama
    Alaina Caswell
    Alan Ortega Lopez I
    Alaska
    Alethea Harnish
    Alexa Fucello
    Alexandria Poe
    Alexis Candelaria
    Alexis Filmer
    Alexis-salmons
    Alicia-beyer
    Alicia Crosson
    Alicia Crosson Photography
    Alijohnsonphotography
    Ali Johnson Photography
    Ali Zimmerman
    Allie Maternowski
    Allison Moreau
    Allstars
    Ally-wickware
    Alyssa-chappell-photography
    Alyssa Mann
    Amanda-cantrell-photography-llc
    Amanda Reed
    Amanda Wisner
    Ambassador
    Ambassador-program
    Amelia McGovern
    Amy-taylor-a-taylored-image
    Andyphillips
    Angela Santalo
    Angie Read Photography
    Animals
    Aniya-wolfe
    Anna-bowlen
    Anna Goldfogle
    Anorexia
    Antonio-de-jesus
    Anxiety
    Apps
    April Mendoza Photography
    Arizona
    Arkansa
    Arkansas
    Art
    Artist
    Art-student
    Ashley-rivera
    Ashlynn Prince
    Athelte
    Athleste-screen-plays
    Athlete
    Austin Taylor
    Author
    Ava-soloff
    Bailey & B Photography - Shawna Munger
    Baker
    Ballet
    Band
    Baseball
    Basketball
    Beach
    Belmar-beach
    Bermuda
    Best Buddies
    Beta-club
    Betty-alvarez-of-vintage-couture-photography
    Bipolar
    Book Review
    Books
    Bowling
    Boy Scout
    Brain Injury
    Brianna Guerra
    Brianna-logsdon
    Brianna Salang
    Briley Carter
    Broadway
    Brooklyn-campbell
    Brooklyn-mann
    Brooklynn Hudgins
    Brookscoetzee
    Brylee-briggs
    Brynn-casey
    Bucks-county
    Byron-nelson-varsity-cheer-team
    Cade-williams
    Caitlin-cowell
    California
    Canada
    Carla-bucala-photography
    Carlee-smith
    Carloline-gavin
    Carly-dangelo
    Carolinealegado
    Caroline Alegado
    Carolynfarmer
    Carolyn-griffin-photography
    Carrieeigbrettphotography
    Casa
    Cassidyermigotti
    Catherine-cella-of-joyful-reflections-photography
    Catherine Marie Photography
    Cbsd
    Cb-south
    Cb-west
    Cello
    Central Bucks
    Central-bucks-school-district
    Central-bucks-south
    Central-bucks-west
    Chailie Alsaffar
    Chapel Hill
    Cheeleader
    Cheer
    Cheerleader
    Cheerleaders
    Cheerleading
    Chele Jones Photography
    Chloe Malone
    Choachella Valley Missionary Program
    Choir
    Civic Scholar
    Claire-chelius
    Claire Plath
    Clarissa Castro
    Class-president
    Cloud-nine-studios-photography
    Coding
    College
    Colorado
    Computers
    Connecticut
    Connie Etter Photography
    Council-rock
    Council-rock-north
    Council-rock-south
    Cross Country
    Cynthia-schoettker-photography
    Cyrena-spafford
    Dance
    Dancer
    Dancer Business
    Danielle Lavis Photography
    Daniel Simmons Photography
    Dash
    David Beckham Photography
    David-hamrick-photography
    Dawson Holder
    Debbie-gray
    DECA
    Deke-burrell
    Delila-matara
    Denmark
    Dennielle-stull-of-solid-rock-photos
    Design
    Design-460
    Designer
    Destination-photo-shoot
    Diamond-farmer
    Diella-valla
    Dirtbikes
    Disney
    Diving
    Diy
    ​DJ King
    Dogs
    Drawing
    Drill Team
    Drug Free
    Drummer
    Dwightallenphotography
    Dylan-abell
    Eagle Project
    Eagles-cheerleaders
    Editor
    Ehlers Danlos Syndrom
    EJ Workman
    Eliza-hamilton
    Ellie-kuhnle
    Ellie Stump
    Emilycunningham
    Emily Williams
    Emma-clopton
    Emma-dickinson
    Emma-doughty
    Emma-engle
    Engineer
    Entertainment
    Entrepreneuer
    Entrepreneur
    Entreprenuer
    Environment
    Epcot
    Equestrian
    Erin-pellet
    Ethan Brown
    Ethanspencer
    Eva-martinez
    Evanodonnell
    Eve Taverne Photography
    Exchange Student
    Exhange Student
    Faith-jacbos
    Families
    Family
    Fashion
    Fashion Designer
    Fashionista
    Fashion-week
    FBLA
    Feature-twirler
    Female Athlere
    Female Athlete
    FFA
    Field-hockey
    Firefighter
    Fireman
    Florida
    Food
    Football
    Foreign Exchange Student
    Foster Care
    Founders-classical-academy
    France
    Francescas
    Freshman
    Frisbee
    Gaby Esquivel
    Gail Cameron Photography
    Gavinsmith
    Gender-gap
    Gen-z-stats
    Georgia
    Georgia-liagridonis
    Getting-into-college
    Ghoststory
    Ghost-story
    Giavonna-sabatini
    Gigi Dooley
    Girls-club
    Glee Club
    Goat-yoga
    Golf
    Golfer
    Grace-kelly
    Grace-mahony
    Graciano-photography
    Grafitti-highway
    Grant Eubanks
    Green-briar-photography
    Guitar
    Guitarist
    Gun-control
    Gymnast
    Gymnastics
    Hair Care
    Hannah Bohm
    Hannah Herrera
    Hannah-nathanson
    Harvard
    Haunted
    Hawaii
    Health
    Heather Chesky Photography
    Heatherwanningerofsweetlemonadephotography
    Heather-wanninger-of-sweet-lemonade-photography
    Heidi-anderson
    Hip-hop
    History
    Hoby
    Hollie Nagy
    Holly Simmons
    Honor Student
    Horror
    Horses
    HOSA
    Hudson-loverro
    Ice Skater
    Idaho
    Illinois
    Images By Marc Anthony
    Indiana
    Influencer
    Inspire Team
    Inspiring-teens
    International
    Interview
    Interviews
    Iowa
    Iran
    Isabella Connery
    Issue 18
    Issue 20
    Italy
    Iti-style
    Izzy-jones
    Jackson-pearson
    Jack-willis
    Jacob-mashburn
    Jacolby Moore
    JAG
    Jake-simon
    Jaki-good-miller
    Jaki-good-miller-photography
    James McCann III
    Jazz
    Jennifer Dunn Photography
    Jessica-robertson-photographic-artistry
    Jillian-cardinal
    Jillian-darrah
    Joe Gryboski
    Joe Gutowski
    Jolene Broad Photography
    Jonna-nielsen
    Jordan McEachin
    Jordan-veldman
    Joseph Stokes
    Julia-ischinger
    Julia-ischinger
    Julia-james
    Jump-rope
    Justin-graciano
    Kaitlyn Bowles
    Kamdyn-price
    Kansas
    Karenna Glenn
    Karen-stuffer-photography
    Kari-jim
    Kari Swenson
    Katelyn Watts
    Kate Smith Photography
    Kathryn Oelker
    Keara McKay
    Keeshawn Bell
    Kentucky
    Kimberly Wang
    Kim Rossing Photography
    Kingston Photography
    Kirstin Kania
    Krystal Kaye Images
    Kustom Dezigns Photography
    Kylee McManis
    LaCrosse
    Laine Giovanniello
    Lake Erie
    Landscapes
    Larissa Chelius
    Launa Penza Photography
    Laura Arick Photography
    Laura Beth Eikert Bailey
    Laura Cardona
    Laura Kercher
    Laura Tusek Of Senior Edge Photography
    Lauren Michener
    Lauren Stone
    Laws
    Leader
    Leader National Honor Society
    Leadership
    Leila Patel
    Lia Kurkimilis
    Libby Neveau
    Lighting
    Lily Anderson
    Lily Crane
    Lily Parham
    Lindsay Nalley Photography
    Links
    Lisa McNeil
    Lisa McNeil Photography
    Lisa McNiel Photography
    Lisa Weaver
    Literature
    LLC
    London
    Lorraine Hinks
    Louisiana
    Love Girls Magazine
    Lower Bucks
    Lower Moreland
    Luke Photography
    Luna Photography
    Mackenzie McMahan
    Madelene Eilers
    Madison Cavallo
    Madison Chodorowski
    Madison Dedieu
    Madison Koonce
    Madison Westermann
    Madi Westbrooke
    Magazines
    Maine
    Makayla Miller
    Makenzi Darnell
    Makeup
    Malavika Vivek
    Malcolm Hollett
    Mallory Lough
    Mallory Neil
    March For Our Lives
    Marci & Christy Photography
    Mariah Martinez
    Marie Suttmann
    Marisa Krasusky
    Mary (Emme) Pianfetti
    Maryland
    Massachusetts
    Massachuss
    Maya Jai Pinson
    Maya Sheklow
    MC Photography
    Meaghan Comer
    Mean GIrls
    Mean To Me
    Medical Research
    Members
    Memories By Tawnya
    Memories By Tawnya Photography
    Mental Disorder
    Michael Zellefrow Of Gizmo Photography
    Michelle Crane
    Michelle Sicard
    Michell Sicard
    Michigan
    Mikayla Havers
    Military
    Minnesota
    Mississippi
    Missouri
    Missy Cochrane
    Mock Trial
    Model
    Model Program
    Molly Crosby
    Money
    Monkeys Uncle
    Montana
    Montana Moyer
    Montgomery County
    Morgan-ramsey
    Morgan-young
    Mountain Bike
    Mounted Shooting
    Mouse Mural
    Mt. Pleasant Panther Competition Cheer Team
    Music
    Musician
    MVP
    Mykal-Michele Longino
    Nathaniel Munoz
    Nationa Honor Society
    National Honor Society President
    Nature
    Nazareth Academy
    Nebraska
    Nevada
    New Hampshire
    New Hampsire
    New Jersey
    New Mexico
    New York
    New York Fashion Week
    Nhs
    Niagra Falls
    Nick Hart
    Nicole Jancova
    Nicole Kilian
    Nicole Linder
    Noah Payne
    Non Profit
    North Carolina
    Notre Dame
    Nursing
    NYC
    Ohio
    Ohio State
    Ok
    Oklahoma
    Olivia Bradin
    Olivia Bush
    Olivia McClure
    Olivia Strickland
    OneLove
    Ontario
    Oregon
    Organization
    Orthodontist
    Paddle Boarding
    Pageant
    Pageants
    Paige Ross
    Paige Stater
    PALS
    Pantone Color Of The Year
    Peace Camp
    Pennelope B
    Pennhurst Asylum
    Pennsylvania
    Pennyslvania
    Perfomer
    Performer
    Perspective
    Peyton Fearin
    Peyton Young
    Philadelphia
    Philadelphia-teen-filmmaker
    Philanthropy
    Phoebe Berry
    Phoebe Coleman
    Photographer
    Photographers
    Photography
    Photo-shoot
    Photo-shoots
    Pigadillys
    Pilot
    Pink Lily Photography
    Pink-owl-photography
    Play-writer
    Poem
    Poetry
    Pointe
    Politics
    Portraits-with-michelle
    Pots
    Preacher
    Presley Connell
    Project Beauty
    Protest
    Publisher
    Puerto Rico
    Rachel
    Rachel Brushwood
    Rachel-gunder
    Radio-show-host
    ​Raina Saldivar
    Rainbow
    Raley-blacklock
    Raven Tikka
    Rebekah Gregg Photography
    Recovery
    Regan Corbet
    Regan-keating
    Religion
    Riane-lumer
    Riley-devlin
    Riley Marx
    Road-trip
    Robotics
    Rodeo
    Roka Studios
    Role Model
    Rosie Gadus
    Ruby-gomersall
    Ruby-kitzmiller
    Runway
    Sara-gingras
    Sarah-smith
    Scholar
    Scholars
    Scholarship
    School
    School-clubs
    Science
    Scouts
    Selessa-studio
    Senior
    Senior-pictures
    Senior Project
    Seniors
    Seniors By Marc Anthony
    Senior-trip
    Serena Yee
    Sew
    Shabay Photography
    Shaina Zaccagnino
    Sharie-thompson-stories-photography
    Sharon-holy-photography
    Shawn Haabermehl Photography
    Shawntoni Nicols
    Shayna-fink
    Sheah-payton
    Shelby Maiorano
    Shooter
    Shooting Future Stars
    Short-story
    Show-choir
    Shriners-hospital
    Shyness
    Sierra Zaccagnino
    Sierra-zacccagnino
    Silent-hill
    Simme Salguero
    Simply-time-photography
    Singer
    SLIME
    Soccer
    Social Justice
    Social Media
    Softball
    Sole Hope
    Song Writer
    ​Sonja Shamblin
    Sorority
    South Carolina
    South Dakota
    Spain
    Spartans
    Speaker
    Special Effects Makeup
    Special Olympics
    Spinal Injury
    Spokesmodels
    Sports
    Stacie Weaver Photography
    Stacy Jacob Photography
    Stacy Jacobs Photography
    STEM
    Student Athlete
    Studio Bloom By Shelley
    Study Abroad
    Style
    Style Wars
    Summer
    Summer Steele
    Super Bowl
    Survivor
    Susan Holloway Scott
    Sweden
    Swim
    Swimmer
    Swimsuits
    Switzerland
    T1D
    Taekwondo
    Talya Slezak
    Tammy Howell Photography
    TAP Photography
    Tawnya English
    Teacher
    Tech
    Ted Talks
    Tedx
    Teen
    Teen Author
    Teen Images
    Teen Jobs
    Teen Model
    Teen Models
    Teen Photographer
    Teen Photo Shoot
    Teens
    Teerage Photography
    Tennessee
    Tennis
    Texas
    Theater
    Theatre
    The Gray Senior
    The Moxie Design
    Thrift Store Finds
    TIarrah Charity
    Tim-goates-photography
    Tim Tebow Foundation
    To Do
    Tooley Photography
    Track
    Tra'Varius Tra'Vonn "Tank" Todd
    Trave
    Travel
    Traveler
    Travel Team
    Trey Boone
    Tristen Morris
    Tucker Brown
    Tulsa
    Tumbling
    Tween
    Tweens
    Twin
    Two Girls And A Lens
    Tyler Graciano
    Type 1
    Type 1 Diabetes
    Type One Diabetic
    Ty Thompson
    Unami
    Universal Studios
    University Of Pittsburgh
    Upcycling
    Upper Dublin High School
    US History
    Valedictorian
    Validictorian
    Valley Square
    Vet
    Video
    Vintage Couture Photography
    VIP Fashions
    Virginia
    Voices Of Teens
    Volleyball
    Volunteer
    Volunteers
    VOOT
    Washington
    Washington DC
    Water
    West Chester University
    West Virginia
    Wild Plum Photo
    Willow Grove Park Mall
    Willow Larson
    Wisconsin
    Workshop
    World Records
    Wrestling
    Writer
    Writing
    Yoga
    Youth Group
    Youth Olympics
    YouTube
    Youtuber
    Zach Smith
    Zandie Hall
    Zaria Robinson
    Zero Gravity
    Zierra Zaccagnino
    Zoe Cerrillo
    Zoe DAngelo
    Zoe D'Angelo
    Zoe D’Angelo
    Zoe D’Angelo
    Zoe-dangelo
    Zoe Sears
    Zoey Joseph

  • Home
    • Teams
  • Nominate
  • Scholarships
  • Featured
  • Magazines
    • 2023 Issues >
      • Issue 64
      • Issue 63
    • 2022 Issues >
      • Issue 62
      • Issue 61
      • Issue 60
      • Issue 59
      • Issue 58
      • Issue 57
      • Issue 56
      • Issue 55
      • Issue 54
      • Issue 53
      • Issue 52
      • Issue 51
  • Essays