Addy Evans: Inspiring Teen Leader, Soccer Captain & Future Dentist

Inspiring Teens Magazine

14 hours ago

8 min read

Addy Evans – Texas

Nomination by TJ Evans

Photography by Daisy Jo Photography

Issue 106 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Addy Evans is a senior at Liberty High School in Lubbock, Texas. She serves as Captain of the Varsity Soccer Team, President of Student Council, and HOSA Secretary, while also participating in Varsity Cheer. Addison and fellow classmates founded a Student Organ Donation Advocacy Chapter to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. She is involved in National Honor Society, National Charity League, and Symphony Debutantes. Addison plans to pursue a degree in Biology and a career in dentistry. She is active in her church youth group and hopes to become fluent in ASL to serve as an interpreter during church services and events.

What other inspiring qualities, achievements, or experiences about you, not mentioned in your nomination, would you like readers to know about?

I love to volunteer and serve my community. My favorite organization to serve is Meals on Wheels. I love getting to meet the clients and bring a little bit of joy to their day. I also enjoy being able to meet new individuals and grow relationships with people I would have never met without this organization.

What has volunteering with Meals on Wheels taught you about compassion, connection, and the impact of small acts of kindness?

Volunteering with Meals on Wheels has taught me that we never truly know what someone else is going through or how much one small act of kindness can mean. Meals on Wheels helps older adults remain safely in their homes when everyday tasks, such as cooking, become more difficult. Being able to deliver a meal, share a warm smile, and offer a few words of encouragement can make a meaningful difference in someone's day. I am grateful to be part of an organization that reminds me how powerful simple acts of service can be.

You helped establish a Student Organ Donation Advocacy Chapter at your school. What inspired you to take on this initiative, and what do you hope your chapter will accomplish?

After hearing a speaker from LifeGift explain the impact of organ donation, I realized how much education had changed my own perspective. I immediately wanted to find a way to share that knowledge with as many people as possible. Many people have misconceptions or lack accurate information about organ, tissue, and eye donation. One organ donor can save multiple lives and help many others through tissue and eye donation. Through our chapter, we hope to educate our peers, clear up misconceptions, and inspire more people to consider becoming organ donors.

What goals, dreams, or projects are you currently working toward right now?

I am working on collaborating with the local Boys and Girls Club to host a mini soccer camp to kick off the beginning of their soccer season.

What inspired you to organize a soccer camp for younger children, and what do you hope they will take away from the experience beyond learning soccer skills?

I love the mission of the Boys and Girls Club and I love soccer. When I heard that their soccer season would be kicking off soon, I wanted to find a way to get involved. This seemed like the perfect way for me to combine my love of soccer with my passion for volunteering. I think spending time with the kids and watching them develop new skills is going to be so much fun!

What first sparked your interest in dentistry, and what kind of impact do you hope to have on the lives of your future patient

I don’t think there was an exact moment when I knew that I wanted to pursue dentistry, because it was never a question. Around the age of 6 I was nose deep in my sister’s mouth while the dentist explained everything he was doing. I was fascinated! One major impact I want to have on my future patients is making them feel confident in themselves, and their smiles. I believe that someone’s smile is the first thing you notice about them when you meet them, so I want every one of my patients to feel proud of it.

Where is your ideal dream job if it were offered to you today?

If I could snap my fingers and be working my dream job, I would be operating my dental practice in Oregon.

What could talk about for hours, and why does it matter so much to you?

My faith. Everything I am and hope to be comes from my relationship with God.

How has your faith guided you through a challenging moment, and what did that experience teach you about trusting God's plan?

My faith has guided me through every season of my life. Through the difficult times I have learned that trusting God’s plan is the only way you are going to get through it. When we try to do it our way we end up just digging ourselves deeper into the hole. However, when we do it His way, no matter how deep the hole we dig is He will always get us out. Trusting in God’s plan might not always make sense, but it is what will lead you to become the best version of yourself.

You hope to become fluent in American Sign Language and serve as an interpreter at church. What inspired this goal, and why is making church services more accessible important to you?

I believe that every person should have equal access to information no matter what their ability. By learning sign language, I can become an active member of my church’s deaf ministry. I can sign the songs and services so that they are able to engage and receive the word.

What is something you have learned about yourself as a leader or influencer in the past year?

Being a leader is an action, not a title. What you do and how you treat others matter far more than the position you hold. A good leader builds relationships and genuinely cares about people. You want others to come to you not because you have an impressive title, but because they trust you and know you will be there for them.

What advice would you give to a younger student who wants to get involved in leadership, athletics, or community service but doesn't know where to begin?

The main advice I have for younger students is to find what you are passionate about and pursue it. We only have a short time on this earth to find what makes you happy and do it. If you don’t know what you are passionate about then step out of your comfort zone, and try everything until you find the things that you couldn’t imagine not having in your life.

What is one of your favorite memories with the person who nominated you, or something about them that means a lot to you?

The person who nominated me is my mom. My favorite moments with her are our late-night chats. I love that I always have someone to talk to and process all the life moments that go along with being a teen.

What is one piece of advice your mom has given you that you know you will carry with you as you graduate and begin your next chapter?

My mom always says, “See a need, fill a need.” When you notice something in your school, community, or even at home that needs help, step up and do something about it. Nothing negative comes from trying to make a difference. Instead of being the person who complains about a problem, be the person who works to solve it.

Tell us about the person who took your photo — how did you connect, and what was that experience like?

My photo was taken by Morgan Glaspie. I met Coach Glaspie when she coached me in Cross Country. It was an incredible experience, and I will always appreciate how supportive and encouraging Coach Glaspie was.

How did you first hear about Inspiring Teens Magazine? Why does being part of Inspiring Teens Magazine matter to you?

I came across Inspiring Teens Magazine on Instagram. I enjoyed seeing the photos and reading the bios. It’s so empowering to see the impact my peers and I are having on our communities and the difference we can make when we are passionate about something.

How will earning a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine help you?

I have a long road of education in front of me. I plan to obtain a Biology degree and then continue my education in Dental School. Every little bit of financial assistance I receive puts me one step closer to achieving my goals.

What made you say “yes” to the Inspiring Teens challenge, and how did you feel when you first started?

I was initially a little nervous about applying to Inspiring Teens challenge, but eventually I came to the realization that it doesn’t hurt to try something new and that in every experience there is an opportunity for growth.

What is one moment during the challenge so far that has made you feel proud or realize you were growing - in confidence, mindset, or acting?

One moment that made me realize how much I have grown was reflecting on what it means to be confident in yourself and your choices. There was a time when I second-guessed every word I said and was afraid to be myself. Now I understand that the right people will appreciate me for who I am. Learning to embrace that has shown me what real growth looks like.

If another teen is thinking about joining the Inspiring Teens Magazine Leadership Challenge but feels unsure, what would you tell them?

I would tell them it is an amazing opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. It never hurts to try.

Beyond votes or placements, what are you hoping to gain from this experience—and what would make you feel truly successful at the end?

I hope to gain greater confidence in myself. Stepping outside my comfort zone and sharing my photos in a magazine has already challenged me in a positive way. I hope this experience opens the door to more opportunities to try new things, meet new people, and continue growing into the person I want to become.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you get where you are today?

I would like to thank my mom because I would be nowhere near the person I am today without her. She has always been there and has always pushed me to my fullest extent, and for that I am so grateful. I would like to also thank my dad for always being there. When I had a game, he was there. When I lost my entire soccer bag, he was there to buy me a new one. He has driven more hours than humanly possible to be there. I can’t imagine a better dad than him.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

My best piece of advice is to take pride in who you are as a person, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Find the people in the world who make you a better person and love you for who you are.