Lake Norman Woman Magazine - June 2019

GIRLS

on the GO…

today’s girls, tomorrow’s

leaders!

PAGE 12

AMAZING GIRLS ALUMNI

where are they now?

PAGE 48

LKN CUTEST PET CONTEST! enter your pet now!

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US IN OUR TEENS!

I B E L I E V E I N M U S I C . I B E L I E V E I N C O F F E E . I believe that kale is

inedible and that anything that comes out of the blender the color of shower mold is not a treat. I believe that the warmth of the sun on your face is healthy and natural (Don’t worry, I also believe in sunscreen). I believe that a good book is far better than anything on Netflix. I believe in letting kids play outside without parental supervision. I believe words matter, but actions matter more. I believe in preserving the innocence of children and celebrating the goodness of men. I believe in compassion because I also believe that each and every one of us experiences brokenness to some degree. I believe in the human spirit’s amazing ability to overcome that brokenness. I believe in laughter as our best medicine and prayer as our best hope.

When I was 17, I didn’t have a clue what I believed in, though I certainly behaved as if I did. For instance, I believed in the eye roll as the best form of communication. I believed in trying to fit in. I believed in drama. I believed in sleeping all day, drastic mood swings, and crossing lines and pushing limits.

Though I worked strenuously at making my teenage years as difficult as possible, I also believe that being a teenager, for everyone, is simply hard.

For me, and I’m sure I’m not alone, those years presented so many more questions than answers. Today’s teens face those same uncertainties, only they do so with the very real possibility that any blunders they make in searching for the answers will live forever on YouTube for all the world to see. Heck, I still wince at the private replays of my own teenage misadventures that run through my mind…I think I’d rather eat kale AND a mold-colored smoothie then have them displayed for perpetual public viewing.

But there is hope. Because after a while, I learned. I learned to think about others a little more and to be a self-absorbed nincompoop a little less. I learned to accept the lessons life threw at me with a little more grace and a lot less petulance. I learned to stop looking outward for happiness and look inward instead. I learned that I did believe in some things, some good things, and I learned that I am strong, I am capable, I am enough.

Those lessons required a journey—one that often seemed mostly uphill.

And though I risk sounding clichéd, I quote Miley Cyrus—a former firstrate teenage nincompoop herself—and say that’s ok, because “It’s about the climb.” After all, it is the hills we scale that help define what we believe.

And one more thing …I believe the girls featured in this issue ROCK. They inspire me with their unique skills, endeavors, and the belief systems they are already forming and acting on. They are tomorrow’s leaders, and judging by what I’m seeing from them now, I say with great confidence that our future is in good hands. w

DANA NIETERS PUBLISHER

JUNE CONTRIBUTORS:

Kim Branum; McKenzie Davis; Cyndy Etler; Michelle Love CONTACT US:

704.895.6168

PO BOX 1000 | CORNELI US, NC | 28031

W W W. L A K E N O R M A N W O M A N . C O M

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june contents CELEBRATING THE

SUCCESS

OF

WOMEN

2019

AMAZING LKN GIRLS!

FEATURES

26

ALLY DAVIS

12

GIRLS ON THE GO

28

DIAMOND OWENS

20

30

ABBY KURTZ

SHE'S MY HERO: Carol Davis

32

LAYLAH HUNT

48

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

34

MAELYN GREIST

35

LILLY CARNAGGIO

36

CAROLINE THESIER

38

HALEY PERRYMAN

SPECIAL THANKS Spare Time Huntersville provided the perfect backdrops for our 2019 Amazing Girls' photoshoot!

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the

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cutest LKN

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p

DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE LKN'S CUTEST PET EVER?

in every issue 10

LIVE, LEARN, GROW

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42

58

SCENE WITH LKNW

5 THINGS TO DO IN JUNE

PET

SELF 16

Father's Day Gift Ideas

22

8 THINGS: 8 Things Every Mother & Daughter Should Do Together

52

Have Fun, Be Safe!

56

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY?: Are Earbuds Damaging Your Hearing?

60

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT: Take Two! The Power Of Positive Self-Talk

FAMILY 18

TEENS ALOUD: Your Teen, Translated

HOME 54

STACKING THE DECK: Making Sure Your Deck Is Safe

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

38

35

34

32 Saturday, June 22 3:00 - 8:00 PM

Concert featuring nearly 30 student bands!

FREE concert - Open to public At Langtree Lake Norman - 401 Langtree Road, Mooresville

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LIVE, LEARN, Life takes practice! And though the young ladies

YES YOU CAN! Using her

strengths to break down her big goals into achievable steps, LKN Amazing Girl Haley Perryman hopes to share with other young women that they are more than what others say. Skip on over to page 38 to get a glimpse of this outstanding young leader.

featured in this issue may not have a lot of years behind them, their wisdom, confidence, and insights

LET MUSIC LEAD THE

suggest otherwise—they are past earning their

ABBY KURTZ HAS FOUND

merit badges and have moved on to earning Life

Badges. Here are a few badges earned and lessons

"

w Amazing Girls 2019.

learned from our LKN LK

SURVIVING AGAINST THE ODDS. Maelyn Greist has

already proven that beating the odds is a challenge she can handle. Born 16 weeks early, she had less than a 50 percent chance for survival. A thriving teen now, check out page 34 to see how Maelyn makes the most out of her life by helping others.

BE THE BEE’S KNEES. Buzz

over to page 32 to meet Laylah Hunt, a seventhgrader who also happens to be the youngest certified beekeeper in North Carolina. Laylah shares how she learned to rise above criticism: “A flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”

ANGELA SCHWINDT

DO YOU JUGGLE OR ENJOY? Sometimes we get so

wrapped up in keeping up we forget to enjoy what we’re doing. Scissor kick your way over to page 35 to see how teen taekwondo phenom Lilly Carnaggio finds balance, discipline, and joy in her extremely busy life.

JUNE 2019

HER VOICE THROUGH

MUSIC, AND ON page

30 SHE SHOWS US HOW

PLAYING THE BASS AND RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH THE STARS

WHILE WE TRY TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN ALL ABOUT LIFE, OUR CHILDREN TEACH US WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT.”

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WAY. TEEN ROCK STAR

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HELPED HER FACE HER

CHALLENGES, LEAVE HER COMFORT ZONE, AND

ROCK ON TO SUCCESS AT AN EARLY AGE!

NEVER QUIT. To 15-year-old Ally Davis, these

two simple words are an expression to live by … literally! Recently re-diagnosed with cancer, this brave go-getter and taekwondo black belt (page 26) teaches us all a remarkable lesson in living life to its fullest.

TAKE A STRIKE AT LIFE.

OMGoodness at the work load of Amazing Girl Caroline Thesier! Turn to page 36 if you’d like a crash course on handling a schedule that would daunt the hardiest of us. With a 4.0+ GPA in honors-level classes, Caroline is a multiple title-winning bowler and a member of more clubs and honor societies than we can list.

MEET A SUPERHERO.

Not merely a “diamond in the rough,” Diamond Owens is full-on SPARKLE and has a heart for helping others that outshines the sun.

Assisting her mother with nursing duties and helping care for her ill sister at home, Diamond shows us on page 28 what true grit and tenacity is all about. w

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2019

girls P I P E R LO E B A C H

go

ON THE

Piper Loebach just graduated from Pine Lake Preparatory (PLP) where she was an active member of her school’s theater group, and she earned (and nailed!) the lead roles in her last two musicals at PLP—as Dolly in “Hello Dolly!” and as Wednesday in the “Addams Family.” Piper brought this passion for the stage to her senior project as well when she assembled nine current high school students, or recent graduates, all of whom are active in the Charlotte youth theater community. The event was called Artist Activist Project and took place in Charlotte at the McGlohon Theater. Piper is heading to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in musical theater at The University of the Arts there.

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MEET OUR “GIRLS ON THE GO” OF 2019 WHO ARE SURE TO BE THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS OF OUR FUTURE! WHETHER THEY'VE ACTED SELFLESSLY, POSITIVELY IMPACTED OTHERS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND, DISPLAYED COURAGE AND BRAVERY IN A TOUGH SITUATION, OR PERFORMED EXCEPTIONALLY TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THESE GIRLS IMPRESS AND INSPIRE US WITH THEIR UNIQUE SKILLS, TALENTS, AND GIFTS.

MADDIE REBER Rising junior at Lincoln Charter School, Maddie Reber may only be 16 but she is already a published writer. “It has always been her passion,” says Maddie’s Mom. “She is an avid writer.”

Maddie is also involved in an array of organizations at her school, including the environmental club, political debate team, and Beta Club, among others. Her favorite is the Mentor Club which helps younger, struggling students by assigning them an older mentor. Maddie’s published article is an insightful look at the dynamic relationships between mothers and daughters, titled “Advice for Moms: From a Teenage Daughter,” (Lake ( Norman Woman Magazine; Magazine June 2017; pg. 46). Maddie also enjoys being a volunteer at the afterschool care program where she gets to help take care of children—another passion of hers.

K A I L E Y PAT E L Kailey Patel, a 14-year-old Pine Lake Preparatory student, is a competitive tennis player and trains several hours a day. Once ranked in the top 10 in North Carolina, Kailey’s tennis career was threatened when a significant foot injury made playing almost impossible.

But because “CAN’T” is not in her vocabulary, she pushed on—determined not to let anything stand in her way. Her coach has often commented on her character and how this “test” shows just how strong and resilient she really is. In times when there have been no real answers, just unexplained pain, Kailey keeps on going. Also a talented Bollywood dancer, Kailey has won several awards for sportsmanship, including one at a major southern USTA (United States Tennis Association) tournament.

H A L E Y & N ATA L I E V O G E L Haley (17) and Natalie (15) Vogel are two very talented LKN sisters who each have amazing attributes … and they are each other’s biggest fan! Haley can’t wait to be on Broadway. “She was born to perform,” the girls’ mom says, “and she recently played Jane Banks in Mary Poppins with the Children’s Theater of Charlotte.” She is also active in the Broadway Dreams Foundation and sings in a rock band, often volunteering to sing the national anthem for the Charlotte Hornets and the Charlotte Knights games, among others. Natalie Vogel brings success wherever she goes and has a perfect academic record. A science and math whiz, she hopes to continue in the STEM field for her career. She is in the school choir and volunteers with her church through the “Room at the Inn” program. Natalie is an excellent leader and orchestrated a Cookies for Kids Cancer bake sale, raising over $800. Musically inclined like Haley, Natalie plays keyboards with big sis, and together they have done charity performances for a 5K run for brain cancer, a barn jam raising money for animal shelters, and other charitable events. Natalie and Haley are both amazing philanthropists, and they volunteer for numerous organizations and causes.

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2019

girls

go

ON THE

GABBY SMITH Lake Norman High School student Gabriella (Gabby) Smith is a chess player extraordinaire and has taught many girls in her grade to play. Gabby has lived in South Africa as well as Thailand where she not only learned the Thai language, but she learned math and science in Thai. Belonging to a sailing club for some time now, Gabby became a sailing instructor at age 13 and has sailed in many regattas, including one at sea. With a heart for helping others, Gabby is determined to own a hippotherapy farm to help kids with autism and learning disabilities, skills she is honing now as a volunteer at an area hippotherapy/horse farm where she looks after horses and stables and teaches youngsters to ride. w

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AMELIA VA U G H A N

Amelia Vaughan, upcoming ninth-grader at Pine Lake Preparatory, has a knack for academics and is a voracious reader. Amelia’s other passion is theater arts, and she has been involved with the Davidson Community Players (DCP) for more than five years— participating in numerous performances with DCP and nabbing a starring role in many.

Additionally, Amelia has been with Dance Davidson since 2008 and Testify Community Choir since 2016. Last spring, she was selected by the National Council of English Teachers’ Association for a writing piece she submitted to their annual contest. She won first place for the “Fiction” middle school writing category and was honored at their conference in October 2018 at East Carolina University in Greenville.

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F AMILY

teens aloud!

YOUR TEEN, TRANSLATED

A new series!

In elementary, commiseration was the norm. The fights over putting on shoes and spelling homework became comedy with the moms. There was no shame in failure. It was a given! Which superhuman can wrestle an 8-year-old into a pair of tights? Who wouldn’t admit to doing that social studies project on Guyana, which no first grader can pronounce, let alone recite the gross domestic product?

image: Freepik.com

so I’ll go ahead: the “glorious high school years” is a farce. On the surface, there’s this thick layer of frosting: AP courses, athletic achievements, and prom photos. What nobody’s supposed to see is the cake underneath. For many teens, the high school experience is made of lead bars. The kind that leave bruises.

N O B O DY W A N T S TO S AY I T,

In today’s Instagram culture, we hide those bruises, instead sharing pics of volleyball trophies, the school play, the “love you mom!” Snapchat that came in at midnight. In private, we agonize because our kid is cutting again.

Dating an older guy. Insisting on a gap year. We wonder where her crippling anxiety came from, and how to deal.

We set up psychiatrist appointments, research online schools, and Google “How to help desperate teens.”

The younger years were so easy! There were sleepless nights and icky diaper changes, but who’s sleeping after that cell-phone-in-her-room-overnight blowout? And is that sink full of ancient unwashed dishes less icky than a Pamper?

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weighted blanket. That Ambien. That second (third?) glass of wine.

Through my training as a boardcertified teen life coach and my two decades teaching teens, I understand the element that’s most needed—and least practiced—to support adolescents— letting them talk. About their unfiltered experiences. Their self-created goals.

And on our part, deeply listening.

I UNDERSTAND THE ELEMENT THAT’S MOST NEEDED—AND LEAST PRACTICED—TO SUPPORT ADOLESCENTS—LETTING THEM TALK. To compensate for the struggle, there were bedtime hugs, shopping trips for tiny outfits, and endless support from mommy blogs, glossy magazines, and Good Morning America guests. Come middle school, those resources dwindle to one article in the back-back of the parenting magazine.

Then comes high school, when kids scream through rapid, dramatic shifts in body, brain, and personality.

Their job, developmentally, is to challenge their parents’ norms. Their drive, psychologically, is to prioritize peers over parents. Their mandate, academically, is to achieve more than a Wall Street lawyer.

Simultaneously, the parenting resources dry up. You’re in a support Sahara. You can’t admit to that tiff, that you found their drug paraphernalia, that you’re researching residential treatment! You’re supposed to be perfect. If there’s a crack in the frosting, what’s wrong with you?!

There’s a name for this: competitive parenting. No wonder you need that

Without filtering their words through our experience, values, or hopes.

This column will address those totallynot-sweet issues that nobody will bring up. Because teens share their truths with me, I can provide insight on their reality, and how adults can support them. Here you can stay anonymous while learning about what other moms are grappling with…and email me with the dynamic you can’t seem to solve. Maybe I’ll write about it next column. You just worry about the frosting, sis. I’ll bring the bruise-salve. And the wine! w Want to have your struggle considered for an upcoming Teens Aloud column? Send Cyndy an email about what’s going on at cyndy@theteenlifecoach.com L K N e x p e rt

Cyndy Etler is a contributing and freelance writer for Lake Norman Woman Magazine.

An award-winning young adult author and a boardcertified teen life coach, you can connect with Cyndy at www.theteenlifecoach.com.

WRITER CYNDY ETLER

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Carol Davis SHE’S MY HERO:

LKN TOWN:

REASON FOR NOMINATION:

“My mom, Carol, is everything to me. Her love for others, kindness, and passion for her work should never go unnoticed.”

Troutman

NOMINATED BY:

McKenzie Davis, her daughter

she’s outgoing

For anyone who knows her, she is a cheerful ball of fire. It doesn’t matter where we are, she knows how to start up a conversation.

Everyone loves how sociable and approachable she is.

she’s unbelievably kind

she’s dete deterrmined rmined

My mom sees the best in everyone, making her the most understanding and giving woman. She will bend over backwards to be there for you whenever and wherever you need her. w

Carol is a hard worker and is more determined than anyone I’ve ever met. For this reason, I have always seen her as my role model. When she wants something, she works for it. I admire her for her passion in her work at Mooresville Realty.

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she’s the best mom

She has been my rock through any trials I have gone through.

She has and continues to support me no matter where I go in life.

My mom is my hero.

WHO’S YOUR HERO?

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If you have an LKNWoman hero in your life, tell us all about her. Email Dana at dana@lakenormanwoman.com with My Hero in the subject line.

SELF

8 things Prepare a family dinner

© Lenazajchikova | Dreamstime.com

Spend an afternoon looking through old photos

© Viacheslav Iacobchuk | Dreamstime.com

8 THINGS …

© Brandon Alms

Have a rainy-day movie marathon

every

MOTHER & DAUGHTER

| Dreamstime.com

SHOULD DO

together

Take a trip down memory lane by visiting your alma mater or the old neighborhood

©F

ss | iskne

D re a

mstim

e.com

Plan a mother/ daughter photoshoot

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Go on a weekend getaway

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Take an art or cooking class together

Buy the shoes, eat the cake!

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Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden celebrates its 20th anniversary with an awe-inspiring, larger-than-life botanical glass exhibit, Grandiflora: Gamrath Glass at the Garden. Guests will be mesmerized by hundreds of pieces of glass making up dozens of installations

by Seattle-based artist Jason Gamrath.

Towering 10-foot orchids, vivid pitcher plants, energetic Venus flytraps and more will be on display.

Grandiflora by Day Daily, May 24 – Sept. 29 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tickets available at the door!

Grandiflora by Night Thursday – Sunday, May 30 – Sept. 29 6 - 10 p.m.

Tickets available at DSBG.org & the door!

6500 S. New Hope Road Belmont, NC 28012 (704) 825-4490 www.DSBG.org

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amazing girls LKN 2019

LKNW exte

SPECIAL TH

nds a

ANK YOU

to Spare Tim e Huntersvi lle for hosting our 2019 Amaz ing Girls’ photos hoot!

Every year we ask the amazing women in our community to nominate amazing LKN girls!

Our annual issue spotlights eight of the strongest, most fearless, creative, and generous girls in the Lake Norman area.

PHOTOGRAPHER CHELSEA BREN

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LKN 2019 girls

life, instilling that moments come and go, but education is important. “I have had extra tutoring, gone in early, stayed late, and asked for extra credit opportunities to keep up,” she explains.

Ally is currently attending Early College High School in Concord and hopes to attend UNC-Chapel Hill to continue her education in the medical field. “I have been exposed to so many different areas of the medical field – pediatrics, hematology/oncology, nursing, social workers, and child life – during the past three years, that narrowing it down isn’t going to be easy!”

ALLYDAVIS you’d be hard-pressed to find any human as remarkable as Ally Davis,

15-year-old Amazing Girl from Concord. Ally teaches taekwondo as a second-degree black belt, first level instructor. She also runs a non-profit called The Team Ally Foundation, created after she was diagnosed with cancer in April 2016.

“My life has been pretty hectic since my first diagnosis with cancer – I was asked to help fundraise for Leukemia

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Lymphoma Society (LLS) and was given the title ‘2017 Girl of the Year’ after helping teams raise a record $1.4 million,” she describes. Ally has spoken to stadiums full of people at half-time events, concert-goers, as well as Fortune 100 and 500 companies in order to bring focus on pediatric cancer and raise money for research.

The Team Ally Foundation also creates special opportunities for pediatric cancer patients.

Her parents, Preston and Suzanne, try to let Ally keep a simple but complex

From Ally in her own words: “My biggest obstacle without a doubt was hearing I had cancer at the age of 11.

My parents and younger brother, Josh, were there for me, along with family and friends that never left my side … but I remember one particular conversation with my dad. I had just started my initial chemotherapy treatments and I didn’t want to lose my hair. My dad told me it would be ok – it’ll grow back.

He told me I was the same Ally I was the day before, but I wasn’t going to be the same Ally tomorrow or six months from now because of one reason, and one reason only. That reason is because I don’t know how to quit! I had my rollercoaster of mixed emotions but I could sit there and pity myself, or I CAN stand up, battle it, and defeat it.”

Ally was re-diagnosed this year and is once again in the heat of the battle, but her favorite quote and life-attitude keep her perspectives and gratitude in check … “Never Quit!” w

WRITER MICHELLE LOVE

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LKN 2019 girls What others describe as “hard work,” Diamond considers a piece of cake. As an eleventh grader, she juggled a full class schedule, an after-school job, and a role on the Hopewell dance team. In the 75 minutes between her final class and dance practice, while her peers were relaxing and catching up with their Instagram feeds, Diamond was in the practice room, cranking out her homework. Afterwards she would rush home, clean off the day, and report to work.

Diamond describes her mother as her role model. “She set a good path to success,” Diamond says, “and I’m ready to follow it.” When her mom was in nursing school, young Diamond would read her college textbooks. When the two weren’t nursing the elderly or studying for school, they were taking care of Diamond’s younger sister, who has cerebral palsy. That rolemodel mom taught Diamond CPR, and how to administer her sister’s meds, in case she had a seizure in mom’s absence.

Don’t most super-heroes get to take off their cape when they get home? Looks like Diamond is a new breed: the supersuper-hero.

DIAMOND OWENS diamond owens wears an invisible superhero’s cape.

She’s been wearing it since she was 10 years old … when she began training to become an RN! Spending time at the nursing home where her mother worked as a registered nurse, young Diamond, assisted by her mother, would give the elderly their dosages of medicine, clean tracheostomy tubes, and change adult diapers.

Superheroes always know their calling at a young age. Diamond knew hers in elementary school.

What she didn’t know was that mere-mortal 10-year-olds are out kicking up dust, playing with dolls, or learning to ride those weird, self-driven scooters. What they’re not doing—what they’re not capable of doing—is the hard, loving work required by the nursing profession. And yet, there she was. And still is.

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“I’m used to things most people find icky, things involving blood; changing a trach; changing diapers,” Diamond says, before pivoting back to showing love to her mother. “My mom has been in the medical field since before I was born, so I’ve seen pretty much everything.”

In her next breath she describes her future vision: “A big dream for me is to earn my BSN, a program where I’ll complete my RN and my Bachelor of Science degree in nursing simultaneously. From there, I’ll become a charge nurse in a hospital.”

Having passed her rigorous senior project with a near-perfect score—27 of 28 possible points— those dreams will soon be a reality. When she graduates, her mom will get her a new cape, with her name embroidered in—you guessed it— diamonds. w

WRITER CYNDY ETLER

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LKN 2019 girls

abby kurtz rocks, literally. A rising junior

at Pine Lake Preparatory, Abby, who performs as “Abby K,” is making a lot of noise in the music industry as a bassist, auditioning for “American’s Got Talent,” opening for a major artist, signing a management contract, and debuting a new single, “It Should Have Been Me.” Abby attributes her love of music in general to sibling adoration—when her older sister, Elizabeth, would ask to add a Taylor Swift song on her iPod, Abby would insist that it be added to hers as well. But credit for her love of rock and roll goes to her rockin’ dad, Scott, who couldn’t resist adding a KISS or AC/DC song, too, to his daughters’ playlists. “I really liked songs like ‘Detroit Rock City’ and ‘Back in Black,’” recalls Abby. It was while attending a KISS concert with her family that then 13-year-old Abby was inspired to play bass: “I watched Gene Simmons on stage and I knew I had to do that.”

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She joined a band in middle school and has been playing in one ever since. And while teen bands aren’t necessarily a rarity, a female bassist certainly is. But that hasn’t stopped Abby. Last summer, she was one of only three bassists in the country selected to attend GRAMMY Camp in Los Angeles. Then in December, a casting agent from “America’s Got Talent” asked her to try out for the show.

But as exciting as the audition was, Abby’s most memorable performance was opening for her role model, Alice Cooper’s lead guitarist, Nita Strauss. Much to Abby’s delight, Nita played a song with her. “She is my biggest inspiration!” Abby gushed. “She is a female playing the type of music I want to play.” Abby opened for Nita again last month and keeps in touch with the superstar on a regular basis.

Abby’s focus will remain on music as she thinks about college, with the ultimate goal being a career as a touring musician. “Music has changed my life,” she asserts. “I was a quiet, timid girl, but when I got an instrument in my hands and got on stage, I truly found my voice.” Abby shares that voice with young girls through music lessons and encouragement. “I hope to show them how much music can give them,” she explains, adding, “and I want to help keep rock and roll alive and prove to them that they can be rock stars too.” w

WRITER DANA NIETERS

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LA AYLAH HUNT

bees. Laylah and her father completed the class, becoming certified beekeepers.

Laylah’s favorite quote is from the movie Mulan – “A flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” Laylah says, “That quote speaks to me. I am a girl, and I like bees, which is pretty uncommon, and sometimes people have questioned me and even made fun of me.”

Laylah didn’t let criticism stop her love of bees.

She even does presentations to groups about her experiences to raise community awareness of the importance of bees and pollinators.

When she isn’t donning her bee suit and taking care of the hives, Laylah likes to spend time with her friends. “I like to go out on the lake with my kayak, or go shopping at Birkdale and catch a movie, pick up lunch at Chipotle, or go to Polished to get manicures and pedicures,” she smiles.

unlike her movie heroine,

Mulan, Laylah Hunt does not need to impersonate a man to be able to train for her favorite hobby! Laylah will be a seventhgrader this year at North Lincoln Middle School in Denver. She is also known as The Little Beekeeper, and is the youngest certified beekeeper in North Carolina. Laylah, and her mom and dad, Cynthia and Johnnie, together run their business selling honey and elderberry syrup.

A few years ago, Cynthia was interested in beekeeping, so she took a class with the Gaston County Beekeepers Association. Laylah, then 9 years old, went along with her mom for a class and decided that she too was interested in

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Laylah’s favorite subject in school right now is social studies. “I’m really liking my social studies class because of the fascinating material we are learning about,” she says. Laylah admits, though, that she uses her free time in school to do her homework. “I like to use my free time to get my homework finished so I have more time in the afternoon to do gymnastics, tend to the bees, or play with my cat, Perry,” she states.

Laylah’s future plans include attending college at Duke University to study nursing. “I would like to become a nurse and work at Levine Children’s Hospital, so I can help kids and make them feel like they’re back home in a comfortable and fun environment,” she concludes. w

WRITER MICHELLE LOVE

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“that’s it! i’m changing the world.”

That’s the announcement Mooresville Middle School student Maelyn Greist made as casually as if she asserted “It looks like rain” one recent afternoon. Her mom, Teryl, knows Maelyn well enough not to bet against her, but realizing that her ambitious teenager probably wasn’t going to accomplish that particular goal that evening, suggested they have dinner first. “But that’s life with Maelyn,” says Teryl. “She’s always thinking about how she can make a difference.”

While one person changing the world is against the odds, Maelyn’s already proven that beating the odds is a challenge she can handle. Born 16 weeks early and weighing only one pound, eleven ounces, she had less than a 50 percent chance for survival. During her 87 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, she endured an open heart surgery, weeks on a ventilator, and numerous blood transfusions and spinal taps.

Today, Maelyn is a healthy, thriving 14-year-old girl. “I feel so very lucky to have survived,” she says. “Because of this gift I have been granted, I have learned to love and cherish life with all of my heart.”

Maelyn also credits her prematurity for her deep sense of empathy toward others, especially the families of premature infants who often experience an emotional crisis as they deal with their baby’s health issues. She is an official board member of Pierce’s Project, a nonprofit organization that assists families affected by prematurity through care packages and support. Maelyn serves as the junior master of ceremonies. “I hope we reach a point where we are helping every family who has to leave their precious baby behind in a hospital,” she says.

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But it’s not just the families of premature infants that Maelyn feels a connection to— she wants to help anyone who feels alone. After reading about buddy benches, Maelyn, who had witnessed lonely classmates on her school’s playground, was determined to build one. “If you don’t have a friend to play with, you can go sit on the bench and someone will ask you to play with them,” she explains.

Maelyn may have been tiny at birth, but there is no doubt that with her great big heart, she is a powerful force to be reckoned with. Will she be able to change the world for the better? It seems she’s already started, and like her mom, I certainly wouldn’t bet against her. w

WRITER DANA NIETERS

LKN 2019 girls

LILLY CARNAGGIO lilly carnaggio is maybe one third your age—she’s 13 years old—but she’s achieved about three times as much as you have. Okay, as I have. She’s the reason Webster’s had to update the phrase “Renaissance Man”: this girl has done so much, in so many different arenas, she forced the dictionary’s hand. She is the prototype Renaissance Person.

A lot of kids today do a lot of activities. Lilly takes it to a whole other level. For instance, some kids learn photography. Other kids like animals. And other kids start fundraisers. Last summer, Renaissance Lilly started a campaign where she took photos of people’s pets for a fee, then donated the cash to Piedmont Animal Rescue. Next summer, she’s going for round two.

But wait! There’s more. Her school, Davidson Day School, is holding a

WRITER CYNDY ETLER

Crazy Sock Hop to raise money for the Kennedy Strong Foundation, which supports folks with Down syndrome. Instead of attending the Hop as a reveler, Lilly is going to work: she’ll take pictures and be in charge of the photo booth.

Her response to the question, “What is your favorite subject at school?” illustrates the balance in her personality. She says Spanish is her favorite subject, going on to note that Spanish is “a beautiful and useful language.” This girl is an artist; this girl is a worker. We should be so lucky to have her lead a local renaissance.

Lilly uses her planner to balance school and activities, noting that, given her many interests, “I have to use self-control to know that school comes first.” How does one so young hold such wisdom? Why, through her training at R.T. Berry Tae Kwon Do!

She trains at the school twice a week, and credits her instructors with teaching her respect, discipline, and commitment. In November, after nearly four years of training, Lilly earned her black belt…an achievement reached by doing even more things that you and I (or, ahem, that II) will never do. She learned many forms and sparring techniques, including a musical form and a gang attack defense. She took extra classes, practiced at home, and fasted for 24 hours. Now, at R.T. Berry, she is officially known as Miss Lilly.

In true renaissance style, Lilly’s favorites illustrate, once again, the perfect balance of her personality. Her favorite pick-me-up: cuddling with her cat and two dogs. Her favorite phrase: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” This kid has all the bases covered. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to stand back and watch her work, and spar, and love animals. I’ll just stand back here and applaud. w

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maintaining a 4.0 GPA or higher in an

honors-level class with an extremely heavy workload in an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in itself is impressive; but couple that with being a title-winning bowler, and you have Amazing Girl Caroline Thesier.

Caroline is a rising senior at South Iredell High School in Mooresville. “I am currently involved in the Interact Club (Rotary), Red Cross Club, Student Government, South Service Club, Beta Club, and National Honor Society, including the English, Spanish, math, and science honor societies,” adds Caroline. She says her favorite subject is psychology and intends to pursue a doctorate in sports psychology at her top choices of Tulane or Vanderbilt universities. “I haven’t made any college decisions yet, and am keeping my options open, but I would really like to go into either sports psychology or the neuroscience field,” she explains.

This impressive young lady is undoubtedly an academic superstar, but she is also a member of the 2019 Junior Team USA, who has also been a two-time Storm AllAmerican, earning 21 youth scratch titles, 2017 and 2018 Tough Shots Bowler of the Year, and 2017 12-Bagger Bowler of the Year. “The one thing that I am most proud of is making the Junior Team USA 2019,” says Caroline, “because after having this as an ultimate goal for so many years, when I made the team, it was a dream come true.”

Hall-of-Famer and Cornelius resident, Brian Voss, is Caroline’s coach. She practices one to two hours each day, depending on course load and tournaments, which often take her out of town.

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Caroline admits, “My greatest challenges are dealing with stress, managing my time, and staying motivated during times with little success.” She has learned through those challenges to keep her head up and keep smiling. “It is amazing how far a smile can go for yourself and those around you – and even when times were difficult, if I was able to find one thing to smile about, it was much easier to stay motivated,” she describes.

Laurie Marzano, who nominated Caroline, credits Caroline’s positive spirit and great work ethic for providing the foundation for her to obtain the successes and accomplishments while juggling an impressive course load at school. “Caroline also exhibits the qualities of a strong leader with passion, dedication, and a can-do attitude, who will do great things for herself and her community,” states Laurie. “She definitely has the backing of her family and the staff at Victory Lanes in Mooresville.” w

WRITER MICHELLE LOVE

Iredell Health System brings compassionate and quality health care right to your neighborhood. As a AWARD-WINNING not-for-profit health care system, Iredell takes pride in providing the most innovative procedures while delivering personalized care to improve the lives of the people in Mooresville.

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HALEY PERRYMAN

LKN 2019 girls

positive enough, she credits the success of the project to the guidance she received. In discussing it with me, she mentioned her mentor’s support not once, not twice, but three times.

there have always been leaders;

there have always been followers. Especially when it comes to groups of teenagers. If you’re a parent who fears that your teen will follow the wrong type of leader, you’ll be thrilled to meet Haley Perryman— positive-girl-leader-extraordinaire!

When you ask most high schoolers what their favorite subject is, you’ll get a response ranging from “Lunch, a-ha-ha,” to “English, because I enjoy reading.” What you don’t get is something like this quote from Haley: “My favorite subject is history because it’s important to know the past to prevent similar situations from occurring again.” How does such a young human view the trajectory of history as her personal responsibility?

That’s a riddle for the ages.

Haley’s sense of personal responsibility encircles her peers, as well. For her senior project, she created a Student Needs Assessment for her high school, Pine Lake Preparatory. Drawing from the data she collected, she developed a mentor program between the upper and underclassmen, to help develop relationships among the grades. As if that’s not

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This doesn’t mean that Haley is unaware of her own abilities. “You are either your biggest enemy or biggest ally,” she says. “I use my strengths to break down my big goals into achievable steps.” She tracks them in her calendar, which allows her to plan her week. “My first priority is school, then I focus on extracurriculars,” she says.

Those extracurriculars could fill an encyclopedia.

They include Young Elites, Impact Club, Excel Club, multiple honor societies, horseback riding, a job at Davidson Ice House, and Girl Scouts. Her dedication and passion to scouting earned her the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards—the latter of which she considers her greatest accomplishment.

Haley’s favorite quote is a Bible verse, Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.” She hopes to share with other young women that they are more than what others say; that they can always do what they put their mind to.

She has recently committed to attending UNC Wilmington. Without a doubt, on that beachside campus, Haley will do whatever she puts her mind to, and you can take that to the bank. w WRITER CYNDY ETLER

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WITH LKN

We always have a blast photographing the women of Lake Norman, but our Amazing Girls issue is one of our favorites. Check out these cute pics of the photoshoot for our 2019 ďŹ nalists. Much thanks to Spare Time in Huntersville for providing such a fun backdrop for our shoot!

Be SCENE with the staff of Lake Norman Woman or the magazine we create!

gir1ls9 20 LKN

Publisher Dana Nieters with Spare Time Huntersville's Nicole D. Caldwell, Event Specialist, and LKNW photographer Chelsea Bren

TAG US IN YOUR PHOTOS WITH A COPY OF LKNW OR EMAIL THEM TO DANA@ LAKENORMANWOMAN.COM TO BE FEATURED!

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5 AN

things wOMAN LKN

1

SHOULD DO IN

june

THURSDAYS IN JUNE

2

LangTree Live Concert Series

Each week features a different musical act, from 80s pop to alternative rock to the classics. Bring a lawn chair; admission is free.

Free Admission / 7pm-9pm LangTree Lake Norman 401 Langtree Rd., Mooresville More information: www.langtreelkn.com

3

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Warrior Dash

This is the world’s largest obstacle race series, with participants earning their Warrior helmet by tackling a fierce 3-4 mile course and 12 extreme obstacles. After party includes turkey legs, beer steins, and live music.

$69-$104 / 8am Historic Rural Hill 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville More information: www.warriordash.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Pinky Swear Kids Triathlon

More information: www.facebook.com/events/ lake-norman/reggae-on-the-lake Call 704-377-2782 for tickets or visit Reggae Central, 1506 Central Ave, Charlotte.

$35 in fundraising to enter / 6am Ingersoll Rand / 800 Beaty St., Davidson

5

More information: www.pinkyswear.org

© Alistair Cotton | Dreamstime.com

Bring your blankets and chairs for an evening of patriotic, classical, and pops performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra followed by fireworks. Kid Zone and concessions on site.

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Reggae on the Lake

$50 / 6pm-9pm / Lake Norman

The 5th Annual Pinky Swear Kids Triathlon is a non-timed and non-competitive race for kids ages 6-18 of all abilities. The event raises money to help kids with cancer and their families meet basic needs and emotional support.

Symphony in the Park

JUNE 2019

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

This three-hour cruise around Lake Norman on a chartered yacht features non-stop Reggae music, Caribbean hors d’oeuvres, and prize giveaways.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

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© Tatyana Emelina | Dreamstime.com

Free Admission / 6pm-10pm Bailey Road Park 1536 Bailey Rd., Cornelius More information: www.cornelius.org

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SP O NSO R ED BY

the

ever

N K L t s e t u c

PET

WWW.LAKENORMANWOMAN.COM

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/LAKENORMANWOMAN Hurry! Deadline for entering is July 13!

DO YOU HAVE THE CUTEST PET EVER?

Would you like to see your pet featured in our September issue?

Enter today and make your cutie a star!

TO ENTER: Go to LakeNormanWoman.com, click on “Cutest Pet Contest”

· Fill out submission form & upload your photo no later than July 13

ES A WINNER RECEIV & gets their

Pet Goodie Prize Basket ue of photo in the September iss ine. gaz Ma n ma Lake Norman Wo

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· All photos should be in JPG format and 240 dpi or higher.

·

Voting Period is July 16-22 on Facebook (details to follow)

where

?

NOW are they

malia ellington

THEN: Twelve-year-old Malia was making

Talented,

personable,

and ambitious,

“Amazing Girls”

featured in years past share how

they’re making their mark on the world!

2 012

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headlines for her record-breaking crosscountry accomplishments and triathlon performances. She had just competed in her very first “adult” triathlon, placing first and beating out a field of over 800 adult contestants.

NOW: Malia

has attended Harvard University for the last four years, running on the varsity cross-country team and studying human evolutionary biology and global health and health policy. She graduated last month and, not one to rest on her laurels, she flew to Vietnam the day after graduation to teach Vietnamese high school students.

Later this summer, Malia will travel to Dongguan, China, to teach at Uniwise Bilingual School. Following this very busy summer, she will begin graduate school at Wake Forest University where she will pursue her master’s in the health and exercise science program.

2013

kaitlyn kent rupert THEN: Kaitlyn

was preparing to attend the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) after a high school career that included swimming championships and receiving the 2012 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. She also had her pilot’s license with plans to eventually fly heavy transport airplanes.

NOW: Kaitlyn

graduated from the USAFA in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and minors in philosophy and Portuguese. She also married an Air Force graduate and fellow pilot that spring. They have been training in Texas and Oklahoma (Kaitlyn is currently learning to fly what she refers to as the “Mighty C-17 Globemasters III), but are moving to Charleston for an assignment early this summer. In addition to her flight training, Kaitlyn is currently enrolled in Liberty University’s online MBA program for International Legal Studies. Eventually, she hopes to become an Air Attacheé for a Portuguese-speaking country.

2016 2013

kaya borlase THEN: Kaya,

an eighth-grader at Mooresville Middle School, spent much of her spare time helping the teachers and students in the special needs classroom. One of eight siblings in her family (four of whom were adopted), Kaya also spent much time with her family, helping out as much as possible as the “big sis.”

NOW: Kaya

just wrapped up her sophomore year at Wake Forest University where she is studying mathematical statistics, with minors in anthropology and computer science.

She hopes to eventually pursue a doctorate in statistics and focus her research on campus outreach.

Kaya continues to help children in need, volunteering at The Center for Exceptional Children in Winston Salem. “My primary goal for my life is to help people,” she smiles. “Not necessarily in a huge or known way, but in little everyday ways.”

emily allen

2015

THEN: Emily

was a championship swimmer, competing all over the globe and winning the 100m-freestyle and placing second in the 200m-freestyle at the Junior Nationals. Graduating from Hough High School that spring, she was preparing to attend the University of Tennessee and swim for the Volunteers.

NOW: Emily

graduated from UT last month with a degree in sport management and minors in communication studies and business administration. Two shoulder surgeries necessitated her retirement from swimming, though she is still involved in the sport as a swim coach for elementary-aged kids. Her passion for working with children extends to her career plans of becoming a school counselor.

nicole chinuntdet THEN: Nicole

opted to earn her highschool diploma online and was serving as the youngest intern ever at Oscar de la Renta in New York City. She was also traveling the world modeling and had created a blog about her experiences.

NOW: Nicole

is a sophomore at the University of California, Davis where she is pursuing a degree in international relations and economics.

She continues to model and write for her blog on nicolechinuntdet. com. And while Nicole is exploring career paths and options, her focus is on experiencing new things along the way, evidenced by her decision to attend college on the West Coast and join the sailing team, even though she had no experience in the sport. “I will continue to push myself out of my comfort zone,” she explains. “This is the only way I will continue to grow as a woman!”

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2017 2016

2017

grace dirig

THEN: Jordan

THEN: Grace

had been awarded the Key to the City of Statesville and was the recipient of the Miss Statesville’s Outstanding Teen award for speaking to more than 1,800 students about dental health and logging more than 1,000 hours of community service.

NOW: Grace

is a junior at North Carolina State University studying meteorology. She is also competing in the Miss America Organization and currently holds the title of Miss Capital City and will compete for the Miss North Carolina title later this month! She has received $4,000 toward her education thus far, and she hopes to follow in meteorologist Ginger Zee’s footsteps one day— serving as the chief meteorologist on “Good Morning America” and traveling the world teaching about meteorology and the Earth’s processes.

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isabella frommelt THEN: Isabella,

as a senior at Hough High School, launched a “No Makeup Week” to help girls learn to love their inner beauty and produced a documentary about the event. She was studying theater and communications at Catawba College with the hopes of eventually bringing true-life stories to films and documentaries professionally.

NOW: Isabella

has transferred from Catawba College to UNC Chapel Hill, where she is a 4.0 honor student majoring in communication studies with a concentration in media and film production. Though accepted into NYU in 2017, Isabella considered the debt she would incur and decided against it. She created a documentary on this decision to help other aspiring college students. In addition, Isabella recently acted in a TV movie that will air late this year on the Hallmark Channel.

had just been awarded the Gold Congressional Award for her volunteer efforts and had developed a website to help people search for ways to help their community. In addition, she was already preparing for a career in neuroscience, completing coursework at Brown University and participating in an internship at UNC Chapel Hill.

NOW: Jordan

was awarded the “Girls Who Make a Difference in Charlotte” award presented by the Women + Girls Research Alliance at UNC Charlotte last summer. More recently, she received the Bronze Medallion as a Distinguished Finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community award and was selected as a Top Youth Volunteer for the state of North Carolina. This summer, she’ll go on a three-week hike of the Continental Divide in Colorado with no phone or electronics. Then she’ll attend UNC Chapel Hill this fall as a MoreheadCain scholar. w

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self COP AN ATTITUDE!

Walk with a deliberate and confident stride. If someone is behind you or walking too closely, call them out! Make eye contact and even speak to those who are getting too close for comfort. It takes the element of surprise out of their hands and puts you in control.

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AT ALL TIMES.

Don’t listen to music or talk on the phone. When you’re out and about, your mission is to check your environment not your texts. Who is standing where? Who is walking and who is sitting? What is the lighting like? When you pump gas, are you aware of everyone around you?

DON’T ISOLATE YOURSELF …

STAY IN GROUPS.

Walk among others and keep a quick pace. Don’t get in alleys or stairwells by yourself. If you’re not comfortable getting on an elevator with someone, don’t. Trust your instincts!

HAVE FUN,

BE SAFE!

B E A W A R E N O T S C A R E D ! That’s the best thing we can

teach our young women in today’s world—we don’t want to bombard them with scary numbers and statistics about women and crime. “It is our belief,” says Master Berry of the R.T. Berry School of Tae Kwon Do in Mooresville, “that young women should explore every aspect of personal safety and security—socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. “All of these elements combined seem to be the most important and effective in an ever-changing world.” Reiterating that life is not to be feared, but lived well, here are some basic tips and reminders:

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GO FOR THE FACE FIRST, GROIN SECOND.

The best line of defense if you have to strike out is to try to gouge your assailant’s eyes or shove the palm of your hand upwards towards his nose. Knees and groin are also good targets but go for the face first. If you find yourself in this situation, strike fast and strike hard!

CHOOSE WEAPONS CAREFULLY.

Pepper spray and the like can be tricky because they are often hard to get to when you’re in a difficult spot, and they can be used against you. Also, pepper spray is not effective on everyone, so your attempt may be futile, only aggravating the situation.

PHONE APPS MAY BE THE BEST WEAPON.

There are an array of safety apps out there that do things like sound an alarm, notify authorities, contact your “in case of emergency” person, and other safety features. w

For more safety tips and information, visit The National Organization for Women’s Safety Awareness website at www.thenowsa.org.

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home

BEFORE YOU HAVE YOUR NEXT BARBEQUE OR FAMILY GATHERING, CONSIDER THESE DECK SAFETY INSPECTION TIPS— CHECK FOR SPLIT OR DECAYING WOOD. Insert a flathead screwdriver into any cracks and if you can insert it more than a quarter inch, that could indicate rot. Also, if the wood feels spongy or breaks off without splintering, replacement boards may be necessary. Look for holes which may indicate wood-boring insects.

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g n i k c sta

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SAFE s i k c e d r u o re y

making su

According to the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), there’s been an increase in the number of decks that have collapsed and in most cases, says the association, simple upkeep could have prevented these incidents.

A LEDGER BOARD is a weightbearing board that connects the deck to your house. Make sure, says NADRA, that “it’s attached with ½-inch stainless- or galvanized-steel lag screws and through bolts, rather than nails, which can pop out. Check for a widened gap between the house and the ledger, which may signal that the bolts need tightening.”

CHECK RAILINGS AND BALUSTERS by firmly grasping and wiggling them to make sure they’re secure. Also double-check whether they meet local codes (most call for a railing at least 3 feet high with balusters spaced no wider than 4 inches apart).

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LOOK FOR LOOSE CONNECTIONS between support posts and the deck’s beams. NADRA recommends posts should be 6 inches square or larger and no taller than 14 feet.

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PRESSURE WASH YOUR DECK with a solution of one part bleach (use only oxygenated bleach for cedar decks), three to five parts water, and laundry soap. w

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© Tab1962 | Dreamstime.com

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For more information on deck safety, visit the North American Deck and Railing Association’s website at www.nadra.org.

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self

what’s

that

you say?

ARE EARBUDS DAMAGING YOUR HEARING? Earbuds are a great way to listen to our music,

movies, and more, but they are basically high-fidelity speakers in your ears … and that close to your eardrums can indeed cause damage to your hearing and even result in permanent hearing loss. With that in mind, lend an ear to these tidbits of information—

Noise-induced hearing loss can occur after long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels.

An MP3 player at 70 percent of its top volume is about 85 decibels . Listening with the volume up and for long periods of time can put you in danger of permanent hearing loss.

Symptoms may include ringing, buzzing, or roaring in your ears as well as muffling or distortion of sounds. If you have any symptoms, an audiologist can give you a series of tests to determine how much of your hearing has been damaged.

Noise-induced Another test to hearing loss due to see if it is too earbuds is 100 percent loud is if the preventable if you use person next to them in moderation. It you can hear it; is recommended that if they can, the you implement the 60 decibel level is percent/60 minute rule: too high.

Listen to music (or play a movie or video game) at no more than 60 percent of the maximum volume, and limit the amount of time to 60 minutes.

Consider using noise-canceling headphones; you don’t have to turn up the volume as much to get a good sound. A note, however—while these can be gentler on your hearing, they’re not great choices if you need to listen to the world around you. w

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For more information on hearing loss and earbuds, visit the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at www.nidcd.nih.gov.

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memorable

moments

“girls on the go”

Samantha Vodry JUNE 2015

LKNW Staff pays a tribute to fathers with recollections about what they learned from their fathers.

JUNE 2017 she said wh

MEMORIES FROM PAGES PAST

at?!

to games and “Dad would come me I—in fifth grade—ca cover his eyes when a daughter to be said, ‘I didn’t raise , get in the out to cheer. He you want to participate it: ‘Life on the sidelines; if did get him literally, but I game.’ I didn’t take all you’re going sport; if watchin’ is is not a spectator to watch your life to do, you’re going go by without ya’.’”

Dana

“My dad sparke d a love of reading and education in all of us. He always read to us, even when we were old enough to read on our own. It was always a specia time with him.” l

Michele

Our first Amazing LKN Girls Issue in June 2012!

“He taught me hard for what how to work I patient becau want and to be se it My dad is my will pay off. superhero!”

Stephanie

WH AT DID

Dad

Teach A TRIBUTE

YOU?

TO OUR FATH

ERS FOR

“My dad taught me to value respect life and and to help who need others it …

He was a longtimnamely in nature. a lifetime memb e volunteer and Raptor Cente er of the Carolina r. And he’s the reason I move spider s out of the house back ‘into the wild.’”

FATHER’S

DAY

Amy

“Of all the things I learned from eye for detail, Dad, his and doing everything the though somet right— imes the longest—wa y, benefits and haunts me daily!”

Chelsea

“My dad taught me to have a sense of humor and not to sweat the small stuff.”

Leslie

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| JUNE 2017

JUNE 2013

Kirsten Blackburn “jumps on in” our 2016 Amazing Girls Photo Shoot at the Peninsula Yacht Club JUNE 2015

! s l r i g AMAZING

al our annu and LKN teens ue tweens iss eight of spotlights st, most the stronge ative, cre fearless, s and generou Lake girls in the a.

Norman are

“girls on the go”

Alanna Bergstrom

JUNE 2

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JUNE 2016

JUNE 201 8

Summer

Robinson Tabor 19 years of Real Estate Experience

704-502-2352

LakeNormanSummer@aol.com

www.SummerTabor.com

142 Forest Walk Way, Mooresville $394,900 Beautiful 3 level home with a pool! Formal living & dining, guest suite, kitchen and great room on main level. 4 bedrooms plus bonus room on the 2nd floor. Basement features rec room with bar, TV room & 2 more rooms.

6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms.

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7929 Chapel Creek Road, Denver. $719,000 Stunning Custom Home in Sailview with Porte Cochere. Cul-de-sac location home and the Boat slip is right across the street! Gorgeous great room, kitchen and dining are open for superb entertaining.

Lovely Master suite on the main level. 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 huge bonus rooms upstairs, one bonus has separate stairwell. 3 car garage. Outdoor fireplace and patio makes for a perfect evening!

self B E T T E R M E … B E T T E R YO U … B E T T E R W O R L D

MIND body spirit By mixing the ingredients of attitude and action, we can change the flavor of our own lives.

Learn to nurture your body and soul to lead a more balanced life.

TAKE TWO! the POWER of positive self-talk

HAVE YOU EVER FELT INSECURE?

Beat yourself up over a mistake that was made? Had thoughts that you are not good enough or that you are being judged? You’re not alone … for much of my life, I felt like I was the only one that these insecurities impacted. When I began teaching middle and high school chorus this year, I realized that these self-doubts and “lies” are frequently occurring, often crippling, and span across the spectrum of ages.

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At the beginning of the school year, I needed to hear each individual voice of the 18 beautiful students that I was going to be working with.

I immediately saw a trend: “I am not good enough.” As soon I asked a student to sing aloud by themselves in front of their peers, they froze with fear, apologized for their singing before they even started, expressed multiple negative comments about themselves or their voices, and hesitated to the point that they could not phonate the first note.

This crippling fear and self-doubt went well beyond the music classroom. Every day at the school, I witnessed students being impacted by their lies—making themselves small as to not attract attention from others, talking negatively about themselves and their abilities both in and out of school, walking in the hall without making eye contact with anyone. I knew within the first week that my job was much bigger than simply teaching music. I felt moved to create and incorporate tools that would lift students up and, in the process, allow them to lift up others.

What has evolved for our chorus class is an environment of support, positive self-talk, confidence, and grace. And this culture has spread well beyond our four walls. I hear our students spreading our daily practices to other students, and it makes my heart smile! Of the many tools we utilize on a daily basis, “Take Two” has been the most viral and impactful.

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In our little chorus community, we have incorporated the phrase “Take Two” paired with an arm signal mimicking a clapperboard.

This phrase started when students were preparing for auditions for our fall musical.

While performing their song in front of their peers for practice, if a mistake was made they often could not regroup and recover, so they felt even more anxious than they originally were. “Take Two” became the phrase I would say to them every time this occurred. It gave them the ability to give themselves grace and have a fresh start, erasing the “first take.”

Before I knew it, students were “take two-ing” themselves and each other.

Practicing “Take Two” every day has muted the fear of judgement and strengthened our empathy and grace for each other. I have witnessed this simple tool transform my students into confident humans who not only give grace to each other but also to themselves.

So, the next time you make a mistake or notice your lies creeping in, give grace to yourself and others with a big fat “TAKE TAKE TWO! TWO!” w Kim Branum is the executive director of Charters for Charity aboard the Carolina Grace.

This luxury yacht hosts charities and charters alike. Also a music instructor and health and fitness writer/coach, Kim can be reached at 704.778.6885 or www.thegracewithin.co.

WRITER KIM BRANUM

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