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Peyton Holland
Thu, 14 May 2026 11:26:42 GMT
Peyton Holland - Arkansas
Nomination by Emily Holman
Photography by Angela Holland
Issue 102 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
Nomination: My name is Peyton Holland and I pride myself on being hard working and goal oriented. I’m enrolled in various AP and college level classes, and have been involved in inspiring volunteer programs, such as a year long one at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. I aim to make a positive impact on those around me, while also learning to be more outgoing.
Photography by Angela Holland
Images by Haley K Harris
What inspiring qualities, achievements, or experiences about you were not mentioned in your nomination that you’d like readers to know about?
Along with volunteering at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, I also volunteer at the ICAN Dance Center in my community. The center hosts dance classes for special needs children and young adults, and I work alongside them as a dance buddy. My volunteer experiences have helped influence my decision to go into healthcare, and have even begun to make me consider the opportunity of working with children.
What goals, dreams, or projects are you currently working toward right now?
I’m currently working to graduate high school with distinguished honor graduate and around twenty college credits earned. After graduation, I plan to major in radiologic sciences on a MRI track before applying to a radiology technologist program, to become a double certified MRI and X-Ray tech.
What is something you feel passionate about or could talk about for hours, and why does it matter so much to you?
Something I am passionate about is the over usage of AI in every day life, and how it is harming the users, as well as the planet. Using generative AI to do simple tasks, such as writing an essay for school or doing math homework, is causing a decline in effort, motivation, and critical thinking skills for students. Not to mention the amount of water that AI data servers use and how it’s helping to deplete the Earth’s clean drinking water supply.
What is something you have learned about yourself as a leader or person in the past year?
Something I’ve learned about myself in the past year is that I can’t be afraid to put myself out there. I was an incredibly introverted person who did not like to talk to strangers, until I became a waitress and now it’s my job to talk to strangers. I also was someone who was afraid of trying new things, until I tried out for colorguard and fell in love with it. I’ve learned that new experiences can change you for the better, and you can’t be afraid of the possibilities.
What is one of your favorite memories with the person who nominated you, or something about them that means a lot to you?
One of my favorite memories with the person who nominated me was sitting in the Dairy Queen parking lot after colorguard tryouts. Colorguard was something new that both of us decided to try together, and after tryouts, we went to Dairy Queen for free cone day, and sat in her car and talked for almost two hours. One of our reoccurring inside jokes is from that day, and it set an example of what the next school year, as well as the colorguard team, would be like with her.
Tell us about the photographer or person who took your photo — how did you connect, and what was that experience like?
The person who took my photo was my mom. She picked up photography as a hobby when I was about seven years old, and, because my brothers hated having their picture taken, I became her model. Despite her not believing her photography is good enough, I’m always finding new reasons and places for her to take my picture.
How did you first hear about Inspiring Teens Magazine? Why does being part of Inspiring Teens Magazine matter to you?
I first heard about Inspiring Teens Magazine because of my friend who was part of last year’s edition and nominated me for this year’s edition. Being part of Inspiring Teens Magazine matters to me because I’m wanting to learn how to be more outgoing and confident, and I believe this is a step in the right direction.
If you win a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine, how would you plan to use it and what goals would it help support?
If I win a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine, I would use it to help cover any college tuition and fees that aren’t covered by a scholarship from the school. It would help support my goal of going to a college farther from home and learning how to be independent and grow into adulthood.
Can you share a moment from volunteering that has stayed with you and why it was meaningful to you?
One especially memorable moment from volunteering was when me and another girl were doing arts and crafts with a patients sister. The patient had to be there for a long exam, and the sister needed a distraction. We were making animals out of clay, drawings, holiday crafts, and anything else the Art Cart had to offer. When our shift was over, she asked us, “Do y’all really have to go?” That really solidified for me the impact that I have on the kids that I’m volunteering for, and that it’s more than just something to add to a college application.
How do you balance challenging classes, volunteering, work, and your personal life?
I balance challenging classes, volunteering, work, and my personal life by keeping everything scheduled out in my planner. Everything is color coded, down to my classes, tests and quizzes, what time I have to work, birthdays, and hangout with friends. It’s a habit I picked up my Sophomore year just to help things stay organized, and it’s helped so much this year now that I’ve taken on more activities.
What are some hobbies or activities that help you disconnect from technology and recharge?
One hobby that really helps me disconnect from technology is baking. What started out as an attempt at picking up a new hobby has turned into a passion of mine that recently helped me raise $500 through a bake sale. Baking has taught me trial and error, to focus on the moment, and to never give up. I’ve tried countless different recipes before finding the best one, and if I’m not focused on baking, I could add too much or too little of an ingredient, or burn whatever I’m baking. Despite the mess-ups I’ve had, I know that I can always try again.
What do you love most about being involved in colorguard?
What I love most about being in colorguard is seeing and feeling how our individual and collective hard work turns into a beautiful performance. All the long practices and repetitive runs of the routines become worth it when performing under Friday night lights. As colorguard captain my senior year I really hope to make an impact as a positive leader who makes colorguard an enjoyable experience for all.
If another teen is thinking about joining the Inspiring Teens Magazine Leadership Challenge but feels unsure, what would you tell them?
If another teen was considering joining the Inspiring Teens Magazine Challenge but is unsure about it, I would tell them that it doesn’t hurt to try and you don’t know until you try. When I first started this challenge I didn’t think I’d be able to get 100 votes, but after the challenge started, I became determined to. Now, not only was I able to obtain 100 votes, but I also have the potential to start a baking business because of the success of the bake sale I did to help raise votes.
What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Up next for me that I’m super excited for is summer senior activities to prepare for senior year. While it’s bittersweet, I’m excited for all the memories I’m going to make with my friends before college.
Look for Peyton in issue 102 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
* Each interview is shared in the teen’s own words, so their authentic voice shines through.
Along with volunteering at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, I also volunteer at the ICAN Dance Center in my community. The center hosts dance classes for special needs children and young adults, and I work alongside them as a dance buddy. My volunteer experiences have helped influence my decision to go into healthcare, and have even begun to make me consider the opportunity of working with children.
What goals, dreams, or projects are you currently working toward right now?
I’m currently working to graduate high school with distinguished honor graduate and around twenty college credits earned. After graduation, I plan to major in radiologic sciences on a MRI track before applying to a radiology technologist program, to become a double certified MRI and X-Ray tech.
What is something you feel passionate about or could talk about for hours, and why does it matter so much to you?
Something I am passionate about is the over usage of AI in every day life, and how it is harming the users, as well as the planet. Using generative AI to do simple tasks, such as writing an essay for school or doing math homework, is causing a decline in effort, motivation, and critical thinking skills for students. Not to mention the amount of water that AI data servers use and how it’s helping to deplete the Earth’s clean drinking water supply.
What is something you have learned about yourself as a leader or person in the past year?
Something I’ve learned about myself in the past year is that I can’t be afraid to put myself out there. I was an incredibly introverted person who did not like to talk to strangers, until I became a waitress and now it’s my job to talk to strangers. I also was someone who was afraid of trying new things, until I tried out for colorguard and fell in love with it. I’ve learned that new experiences can change you for the better, and you can’t be afraid of the possibilities.
What is one of your favorite memories with the person who nominated you, or something about them that means a lot to you?
One of my favorite memories with the person who nominated me was sitting in the Dairy Queen parking lot after colorguard tryouts. Colorguard was something new that both of us decided to try together, and after tryouts, we went to Dairy Queen for free cone day, and sat in her car and talked for almost two hours. One of our reoccurring inside jokes is from that day, and it set an example of what the next school year, as well as the colorguard team, would be like with her.
Tell us about the photographer or person who took your photo — how did you connect, and what was that experience like?
The person who took my photo was my mom. She picked up photography as a hobby when I was about seven years old, and, because my brothers hated having their picture taken, I became her model. Despite her not believing her photography is good enough, I’m always finding new reasons and places for her to take my picture.
How did you first hear about Inspiring Teens Magazine? Why does being part of Inspiring Teens Magazine matter to you?
I first heard about Inspiring Teens Magazine because of my friend who was part of last year’s edition and nominated me for this year’s edition. Being part of Inspiring Teens Magazine matters to me because I’m wanting to learn how to be more outgoing and confident, and I believe this is a step in the right direction.
If you win a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine, how would you plan to use it and what goals would it help support?
If I win a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine, I would use it to help cover any college tuition and fees that aren’t covered by a scholarship from the school. It would help support my goal of going to a college farther from home and learning how to be independent and grow into adulthood.
Can you share a moment from volunteering that has stayed with you and why it was meaningful to you?
One especially memorable moment from volunteering was when me and another girl were doing arts and crafts with a patients sister. The patient had to be there for a long exam, and the sister needed a distraction. We were making animals out of clay, drawings, holiday crafts, and anything else the Art Cart had to offer. When our shift was over, she asked us, “Do y’all really have to go?” That really solidified for me the impact that I have on the kids that I’m volunteering for, and that it’s more than just something to add to a college application.
How do you balance challenging classes, volunteering, work, and your personal life?
I balance challenging classes, volunteering, work, and my personal life by keeping everything scheduled out in my planner. Everything is color coded, down to my classes, tests and quizzes, what time I have to work, birthdays, and hangout with friends. It’s a habit I picked up my Sophomore year just to help things stay organized, and it’s helped so much this year now that I’ve taken on more activities.
What are some hobbies or activities that help you disconnect from technology and recharge?
One hobby that really helps me disconnect from technology is baking. What started out as an attempt at picking up a new hobby has turned into a passion of mine that recently helped me raise $500 through a bake sale. Baking has taught me trial and error, to focus on the moment, and to never give up. I’ve tried countless different recipes before finding the best one, and if I’m not focused on baking, I could add too much or too little of an ingredient, or burn whatever I’m baking. Despite the mess-ups I’ve had, I know that I can always try again.
What do you love most about being involved in colorguard?
What I love most about being in colorguard is seeing and feeling how our individual and collective hard work turns into a beautiful performance. All the long practices and repetitive runs of the routines become worth it when performing under Friday night lights. As colorguard captain my senior year I really hope to make an impact as a positive leader who makes colorguard an enjoyable experience for all.
If another teen is thinking about joining the Inspiring Teens Magazine Leadership Challenge but feels unsure, what would you tell them?
If another teen was considering joining the Inspiring Teens Magazine Challenge but is unsure about it, I would tell them that it doesn’t hurt to try and you don’t know until you try. When I first started this challenge I didn’t think I’d be able to get 100 votes, but after the challenge started, I became determined to. Now, not only was I able to obtain 100 votes, but I also have the potential to start a baking business because of the success of the bake sale I did to help raise votes.
What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Up next for me that I’m super excited for is summer senior activities to prepare for senior year. While it’s bittersweet, I’m excited for all the memories I’m going to make with my friends before college.
Look for Peyton in issue 102 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
* Each interview is shared in the teen’s own words, so their authentic voice shines through.
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