Vote for Elaina Putonti for our Issue 88 Scholarship & Cover Winner! (Thanks for your donation!)
See InspiringTeens.com/88 for more details on prizes this teen can win with your help!
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Elaina Putonti – Texas
Nomination & Photography by RichardParker.io
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Nomination: Elaina is an exceptional young woman, a follower of Christ, an uber talented dancer and loves people. She dances for both West Austin Dance Academy and Lake Travis High School Cavalettes. Dance is in her soul. Elaina has a bright future ahead of her and will, day in and day out, excel and inspire others to live their best life, whether in class, on the field, or in the studio. Cheers to Elaina!
What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I spend a lot of time volunteering and I earned the President's Volunteer Service Award. I am a member of the Lake Travis chapter of National Charity League where I volunteer at our local assisted living and the Central Texas Food Bank. I've assisted dance classes and ran rehearsals at my dance studio earning myself Assistant of the Year. I spend a lot of my time with these girls and I love them so much. I also volunteer in the kids ministry at my church. It touches my heart to watch these kids express their love for God.
What else would you like to talk about?
I want to travel and explore as many places as I can. When I tell people how much I love to travel, they often ask "where is one place you want to visit?", but I want to go everywhere and I don't have a favorite place I've gone. I have been lucky enough to travel to Europe multiple times as well as many places in the United States. There are many more on my list. I enjoy learning new languages and getting to use them. Another thing about travel that I enjoy is learning about different cultures' architecture and history.
What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I cannot remember a time when I was not fascinated about history. Growing up, I loved watching old movies with my Nana, and my Grandpa would teach me about history and genealogy. When I learned how to read, Historical Fiction became my favorite genre, and it still is! Many people see history as dates and irrelevant stories, but there is so much more. There are people that did and survived incredible things yet they are forgotten, but I believe that they should be remembered and celebrated.
How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
We met my photographer, Richard Parker, through another dancer's family. I was invited to be on his modeling team and I am on my second year. Richard is very creative and artistic. Whenever he has an idea, it happens. One time we even made a dress out of newspaper! With Richard anything and everything is a possibility.
What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
This past summer, Richard (my photographer) and I were taking photos on top of a stool in a shallow river when we had an idea for me to completely lay in the water. I have sensory processing issues, so getting past my mental block was hard to do. Once I got past it, we had so much fun and the photos ended up amazing!
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
My photographer surprised me with this nomination, but I am honored to be the inspiring teen he thought of. My day to day goal in life is to be a light for other to know that they are not alone. I want to be featured in Inspiring Teens Magazine to reach more people, so they know no matter who they are, what they believe or what they are going through, they will always have people that are rooting for them.
If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?
I would use it to travel. There are so many more places I want to see and share with others. The money will bring me wealth in memories and experiences, which is something that I believe is a million times more valuable than any material thing I could buy.
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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 $180,000 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.