Vote for Chelsey Austin for our Issue 87 Scholarship & Cover Winner! (Thanks for your donation!)
See inspiringteens.com/87 for more details on prizes this teen can win with your help!
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Chelsey Austin – Tennessee
Nomination & Photography by Sarah E. Walker Photography
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Nomination: Chelsey quite literally radiates so much joy! Her creativity, kindness, love for God and her love for people are top tier; she makes every life she touches more beautiful and more bright! Beauty, brains, a heart like Jesus with an old, fabulous soul... she inspires so many of us! She's a Gold Dust Woman on the Edge of Seventeen!
What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I've been fortunate to learn from my mistakes and grow as a person. Through my faith, each experience, whether good or bad, has taught me valuable lessons. I've always tried to be there for others, offering a listening ear and support. I believe in the power of noticing others and try to make a positive difference in the lives of those around me. I know there's always room for improvement, and I continue to work on becoming a better version of myself every day. The world that I see is a constant reminder that I am part of something greater.
What else would you like to talk about?
If living has taught me anything, I would like people to know that they are enough, just as they are. Sometimes it is hard to look past your circumstances, but tough times do NOT define who you are. It's okay to struggle, and it's part of being human. Your worth isn't measured by grades, jobs, or any other thing like that. You are more than school or work. You're a unique blend of dreams, feelings, and experiences. Accept all the ups and downs with open arms, see your potential, and remember that you are valuable, just for being you.
What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
If I could, I'd talk about my best friend, and Pawpaw, Bobby Austin. He was a blessing, a man of God, and a man of music, with the kindest soul you'd ever meet. We lost him a few years back, but anyone who knew him would tell you the same. I could only hope to be a fraction of the person that he was, and if words can keep his memory alive, I'll talk about him forever. One day I'll see him again, but for now he lives on in the mountain sunsets, largemouth bass, and good ole' bluegrass music.
How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I had been seeing lots of my classmate's senior photos on Instagram and Facebook that had been taken by sewtography, and they looked amazing! So, one day my mom brought up that it was time to take mine. We got to brainstorming ideas of what style we wanted, and needed a photographer that could go above and beyond. When I tell you that Sarah Elizabeth Walker-Jones did exactly that! My mom had known her in high school, and we knew that she would be perfect to take the pictures that were going to be so special for us.
I was very nervous the day of the photoshoot, as I had never done one before, but the minute Sarah got out of her car, I knew that the day was going to be so fun. Sarah has such a laid back and hilarious personality. The entire time we were shooting, she would crack jokes and ask me if there was anything that I wanted to be included into the photos, making such a comfortable atmosphere. She really understood the vision that I wanted and captured it perfectly in every photo.
I love the way that Sarah was able to turn the photoshoot into such a special and personal moment. In my mind, we were just going to be taking photos, but in the end, it was so much more. At one point, Sarah asked if I trusted her, and I knew that she had a vision for a photo. The one that she took ended up being my favorite. At the end of the day, I remember watching her leave the driveway knowing that I had not only had an amazing shoot, but that I had also made a friend.
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I have been following along with the magazine for quite some time now, and to say the least, seeing teenagers like me doing amazing things was very inspiring. When my photographer told me that Inspiring Teens Magazine had reached out to her and said that I might be put in the next issue, I was ecstatic! I immediately called my mom and told her. To us, this was an amazing opportunity that God has provided for me, and I want to be an example for others to know that there are amazing opportunities out there waiting for them too.
What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
The person that nominated me was my wonderful photographer, Sarah Elizabeth Walker-Jones from her self-made business, sewtography. She is a great inspiration to me, and it means so much that she thought I, of all people, am deserving enough for a chance like this. So, my favorite memory of her is the person that she is every single day. She is a strong, independent woman with a heart of gold, and I am so thankful for people like her, who see the beauty in everything.
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Inspiring Teens is one of our "by teens for teens" productions to celebrate teens doing amazing things with their lives – such as the teen listed above!
Each vote is $5.00 and goes towards our scholarships, magazine production, awards, prizes, and other fun stuff that are included for the teens who participate in our fundraising and magazine endeavors. It also goes towards nonprofits and teen sponsored events as our extra profits allow.
We have given away over $175,000 in scholarships & over $100,000 to non-profits!
Thank you for helping us help them out!
* Teens must be between ages 13-19 and live in the continental USA to win a scholarship. Teens cannot win more than $1000 in a year's time.