Payton Martin

Payton Martin - Tennessee

Nomination & Photography by Jessica Coulson Photography

Issue 102 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Payton is the definition of a kind, confident, and compassionate leader. She leads with both strength and heart, consistently lifting others while excelling in everything she pursues. Her warmth, integrity, and genuine spirit make her someone people naturally gravitate toward, and it’s impossible to find anyone who has a negative word to say about her. The overwhelming love and admiration others share about Payton speak volumes about the impact she has on everyone around her. As she heads to the University of Tennessee, I have no doubt she will continue to inspire everyone she meets!

What inspiring qualities, achievements, or experiences about you were not mentioned in your nomination that you’d like readers to know about?

I am the president of the Wilson Society Club at my school, one of the largest service clubs in the Memphis area. I have been on mission trips to Ethiopia and Ecuador, which have brought me so much joy. I experienced what service truly means, and we were able to help others and learn about the different cultures! I love to sing, and I have been a part of an Honors Advanced women's choir. We have traveled globally and had the amazing opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall! I have been a cheer captain for the past 2 years, and being in this position has taught me how to be a good leader and to always put my teammates first.

What inspired your passion for service, and how did it first become such an important part of your life?

 As a freshman in high school, I joined the Briarcrest Wilson Society club, one of the largest service organizations in Memphis. I served in the Memphis community, helping deliver canned food and setting up toy drives for the underprivileged. These opportunities really sparked my passion for service and gave me a love for serving others in many different ways. Service means so much to me because I have seen the firsthand impact it has had on others. It is so fulfilling to have the opportunity to help others and being able to make a big impact in many different communities!

How did your experiences in Ethiopia and Ecuador change your perspective on the world and your role in it?

In Ethiopia and Ecuador, I saw firsthand the many different cultures and communities that were surrounding me! It is so beautiful seeing how different we live our day-to-day lives from each other, yet we are so similar! I built many friendships that will last a lifetime in Ecuador and Ethiopia, and I believe it is so important to branch out of your comfort zone and build friendships with people who may have different backgrounds than you!

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

My goal is to make a significant impact in this world. I want to continue serving others and spreading love. I am attending the University of Tennessee in the fall, and I am very excited for what the future holds! I am currently planning to major in Broadcast Journalism and want to pursue a career in news and media!

What draws you to broadcast journalism, and how do you hope to use your voice to make a difference? 

I love acting, and I believe that being in front of a camera is very similar! I also enjoy writing, and I am hoping I can use my voice to raise awareness of situations, and I want to inform people of what is going on in the world.

What are you most excited about as you begin your journey at the University of Tennessee? 

I am excited to meet new friends and build a community of people who challenge me and expand my horizons! I am excited to pursue my major in Journalism and gain knowledge along the way.

What is something you feel passionate about or could talk about for hours, and why does it matter so much to you?

I have a passion for serving others! Service means so much to me because I have firsthand seen the impact it has had on others and communities. It brings me so much joy and peace knowing that I am doing something bigger than myself. I believe if we all come together with a purpose, we can really make a change in our world.

Can you share a moment where serving others made a lasting impact on you personally? 

In Ethiopia, my mission team had the opportunity to host an after-school retreat for middle and high school students at Bingham Academy. We played fun outdoor games and hosted a worship night. At the end of the worship night, we had many students come up to each one of us wanting to ask more questions about their faith and what it means to follow Jesus. It was amazing to see how much we had an impact on these middle schoolers and high schoolers spiritually, and that they were comfortable enough with us to ask deep spiritual questions.

What advice would you give to other teens who want to get involved in service but don’t know where to start?

I would say to get plugged into a service club at your school! There are also many opportunities to serve outside of your school with many different organizations! Try to do some research and see the needs of your community.

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

As the president of the Wilson Society Club, I am good at working as part of a team and collaborating. I work with people all over the city and at my school, and I have learned to take charge, be diligent, and I strive to be a reliable person to everyone around me.

How has leading such a large service organization helped you grow in confidence and responsibility? 

Leading the Briarcrest Wilson Society has helped me grow so much in confidence and responsibility! I led all of our club meetings, which usually had 150+ people. I had to speak loudly and confidently, knowing exactly what points I needed to get across to the students. I had to organize many hands-on service events that Briarcrest students did this past year. I had to build relationships with the people I was communicating with, and keep track of what I needed to prepare for the events and what I needed to order with the grant money we were given.

What does being a compassionate leader mean to you in your everyday life?

Being a compassionate leader means a lot to me. I want to listen to people and their needs, and help others based on that. I want to show love and kindness to others and stay organized in all that I do.

How do you balance your many commitments while still giving your best to each one? 

I would be lying if I said it wasn’t hard. Balance can be so difficult. There definitely have been some late nights, but I care so much about my community and the people involved. The joy I get from my commitments makes it all worth it!

What legacy do you hope to leave behind in your school and community?

I hope to leave knowing that I have made a difference in my school and community! I want people to know all of the opportunities we have at this school and take them!

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

It means so much to me that Mrs. Jessica Coulson has nominated me for this amazing opportunity. I am immensely grateful to have the ability to be part of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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

I discovered Mrs. Jessica Coluson on Instagram and also through my friends who are on her rep team! I love her work, and I wanted to reach out to see if she could take my senior photos! She was so diligent with my session and is very detail-oriented. She was so kind throughout the session and did not hesitate to do anything that we requested!

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

I found out about Inspiring Teens Magazine firsthand after Jessica tagged them on my post, and they featured my photo on their Instagram page. Being a part of this magazine means so much to me because I want to make an impact and be a role model for all the girls who will read Inspiring Teens Magazine!

If you win a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine, how would you plan to use it, and what goals would it help support?

I would plan to use the scholarship for my college tuition! It would help support my educational goals and my future career.

What is your ideal future career if you could just walk right into any role anywhere?

My ideal career would be a news anchor or to be an editor! If I could walk into any role, I would love to be the editor of Vogue Magazine!

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

I said yes because I wanted to make an impact on other girls around me! I felt excited at first about what I was getting myself into, and I am proud that I have come this far into the challenge!

What is one moment during the challenge that made you feel proud or realize you were growing? 

There was a moment when I was working on the challenge, and my sister was so pumped to see it all unfolding. It made me proud to see her excited for me. It made me realize how much we had both grown.

How have you changed or grown since being part of Inspiring Teens—in confidence, mindset, or taking action? 

I have grown so much in confidence while being a part of inspiring teens! I have seen how much one person can make a big impact on others!

What challenge or fear did you have to push through, and what did overcoming it mean to you?

I used to get very stressed out about small things in life, and it consumed me for a long time. I have learned that everything will be ok in the end and that I have a community of people I can talk to about anything!

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

Go for it. This challenge has been so rewarding, and trying things that you are unsure about is so important!

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 have already gained so much from this experience: experience. The chance to inspire and be a role model is so fulfilling. I don’t measure my success in outcomes. I already consider myself successful, how could I not? I’m so blessed to have these opportunities!

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

Yes! My family has been so supportive, not just for Inspiring Teens, but in all my endeavors. My mom has especially been right by my side through everything! She is so selfless and is such an inspiration to me.

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

Thank you for considering me! I am so grateful for this opportunity!

Payton Martin – Tennessee

Nomination & Photography by Jessica Coulson Photography

Issue 102 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

© Inspiring Teens Magazine | inspiringteens.com

Look for Payton in issue 102 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

* Each interview is shared in the teen’s own words, so their authentic voice shines through.