Taryn Hartman: Building Her Future Through Leadership, Animals & the Skilled Trades
- Inspiring Teens Magazine
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Taryn Hartman – Michigan
Nomination & Photography by Caryn Dodson Photography
Nomination: Taryn Hartman doesn’t wait for opportunities, she creates them. Driven, compassionate and fiercely independent, she has turned her love for animals into a business, raising and caring for more than 70 rabbits while giving younger kids the opportunity to experience showing at the local Youth Fair. She competes on her school’s equestrian team, works full time and is already pursuing her electrician’s license through her high school CTE program. Taryn leads by doing, teaches by sharing what she loves and proves that age is no measure of ambition. Whatever future she chooses to build, she is already laying the foundation.
What other inspiring qualities, achievements, or experiences about you, not mentioned in your nomination, would you like readers to know about?
In addition to the achievements mentioned in my nomination, I have earned my HAM radio license and OSHA 10 certification. Last year, I won Grand Champion Market Rabbit, an accomplishment I am especially proud of because of the time and dedication I put into raising and caring for my animals. I have also served as cheer captain and received the Coaches Award last year, which recognized my leadership, work ethic and commitment to my team.
What goals, dreams, or projects are you currently working toward right now?
Right now, I am working toward my career as an electrician. I will begin my apprenticeship this year while completing my senior year of high school, giving me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and start building my career before I even graduate. My goal is to earn my electrician’s license and build a successful, independent future doing work that challenges me and allows me to continue learning and growing.
What could talk about for hours, and why does it matter so much to you?
I could talk for hours about animals, especially raising rabbits and riding horses. I have spent years learning how to properly raise, care for and show rabbits, and I love being able to share that knowledge with others. Riding horses is another huge part of my life and has taught me patience, confidence and responsibility. Animals have always been something I genuinely enjoy, but they have also taught me that the time, work and consistency you put into something directly impacts what you get out of it.
What is something you have learned about yourself as a leader or influencer in the past year?
Over the past year, I have learned how important it is to listen to others. Being a leader isn’t just about giving direction; it’s also about taking the time to hear other people’s ideas, concerns and perspectives. I’ve learned that listening and having patience with others helps me become a better leader and someone people can trust and depend on.
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 is going ice fishing together up north. I love being outdoors, and getting to spend that time together doing something we both enjoy makes those trips special to me. It’s the simple memories like that, being outside, fishing and spending time together, that I know I’ll always remember.
Tell us about the person who took your photo — how did you connect, and what was that experience like?
The person who took my photos is my cousin, so being able to share this experience with her made it even more special. The entire experience was phenomenal, and we laughed a lot throughout the session. Having someone I already knew and trusted behind the camera made it fun, comfortable and something I’ll always remember.
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 through Caryn, my photographer, when she nominated me. Being part of Inspiring Teens Magazine means a lot to me because it gives me the opportunity to share the things I have worked hard for and hopefully inspire other teens to work toward their own goals. It is exciting to be recognized for the things I am passionate about and the future I am working to build.
How will earning a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine help you?
Earning a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine would help me pay for my schooling and take some of the financial pressure off as I begin working toward my career as an electrician. It would allow me to focus more on my education, apprenticeship and building the future I have been working toward.
Look for Taryn in issue 104 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
* Each interview is shared in the teen’s own words, so their authentic voice shines through.
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