What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

Children get asked this question a lot: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. I was never a child who had her life set on one thing. I was too ambitious, and maybe a little indecisive. I wanted to found a business, publish a book, be a creative person, and change the world.
I was 12 years old when I started photography. Photography became what I lived and breathed; it fueled my creative mind and made me challenge the limits set upon me. I posted my photography on Instagram and the social media platform would become my outlet to share my view of the world around me. Photography has led me to countless, amazing opportunities: from working with renowned brands such as Walgreens and Dunkin’ Donuts, to collaborating with talented young creatives, to speaking at three TEDx events. It also gave me the idea to create a magazine dedicated to supporting young people and giving back.

I was a naive 13 year-old when I founded Pulse Spikes, an online and quarterly print magazine, in 2015. I had no experience in publishing and no connections in the industry. All I had was the idea and the determination to bring into existence a publication that would redefine the press. At the same time I found that there was no existing publication that gave a voice to young people. I dedicated Pulse Spikes to us. To the adventurer, the dreamer, the intellect – to everyone and anyone. Pulse Spikes became more than just a magazine; it introduces young visionaries to the world and provides a platform for creatives to share their talents. The publication emphasizes collaboration over competition. Today, our team is composed of talented young makeup artists, writers, stylists, photographers and filmmakers. We all come from different backgrounds but there is one thing we share in common – passion, the love we have for our work and the desire to create. The Pulse Spikes team has grown into an international community, receiving submissions from adolescents around the world including countries such as Germany, South Africa, and Indonesia.

I have always been dedicated to giving back and helping the community through small, yet powerful actions. My past work has included (RED), to campaign an AIDS free generation, and nonprofit Keep America Beautiful, the largest community improvement organization in the United States. However, through all of my pro bono work, I was collaborating alongside adults. I thought to myself, Why isn’t there a platform for teens around the world to share their experiences and thoughts on topics that have such a large consequence on young people? Why isn’t there a platform run by young people where teens could instigate change?

My Own Supergirl

I am my own Supergirl, because I inspire people. I am fourteen years old, and I am a bi-lateral above the knee amputee. Ever since I was little I knew that I was different from everyone else, some people stared, some people pointed, but through all of it I always had my family right by my side. My twin would always stand in front of me to make sure people wouldn’t stare, my parents would always tell me how special I was, but that never changed the fact that all I wanted, when I was little, was to have legs. Every day I would beg my parents to have legs. I would ask them, “If I behave can I have legs?” but they always told me that it didn’t work that way. I always felt sorry for myself, until I heard my twin ask my parents, “Can I get my legs amputated too, so I can be just like Alexandra?” I was so surprised, because she wanted the very thing I had disliked about myself for so long. That day I learned that my twin never thought it was a bad thing that I didn’t have legs, and neither should I. Not long after that, we made up a game to help me with all the staring. If a child stared, we would get one imaginary dollar. If they pointed, we would get two imaginary dollars. If an adult stared we would get three dollars, and if they pointed, five dollars.

Going to school could sometimes be difficult as I got older, like having to leave in the middle of class to go meet my physical therapist, or leaving class early so that we could beat the crowd. As much as I enjoyed the many opportunities to leave class, I still just wanted to be like all my other classmates. Throughout all those moments though, I had my twin and all my friends who always made me feel included. Until the sixth grade, everything was going smoothly. I had all the things a twelve-year-old girl could wish for, a dad with a great job, a lot of friends, everything I asked for, and even a little middle school friend drama. My twin and I were pretty much spoiled. Every weekend our dad would take us to the mall and we could get anything we wanted. This went on for a while, until our dad lost his job and everything changed. Our parents decided that we would finish the sixth grade, then move to Nashville In the summer so that we could take care of our ninety-five-year-old grandmother. As you know, this was a major setback for me. I was leaving all my friends, that I’ve known since I was five, all my teachers, the place and house that I had known since I was a baby. For a while I had refused to accept that this was my new life, but over time I had come to terms with it.

My Life, My Story

My name is Shakeema Smith and I am 15 years old. This is my story.

I was born and raised in North Philly. When I was younger, I used to play with my friends and it was safe even after the street lights came on. Then all of that changed when they started shooting. Sometimes it wasn’t even safe to sit on the steps. My mom raised me on her own for a long time and it was difficult. She struggled but tried her best to make sure I had a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my stomach. I experienced things that a little kid shouldn’t have. I also went through something that made my trust for people falter greatly. It’s too personal to explain but it left me shooken. I even witnessed my dad getting arrested, they slammed him on the ground without a care in the world. One of my aunts, Dorothy, was like a mom to me. She always took care of me and had my back. One time when I was on a time out, she snuck me out the house and took me to the store, unfortunately we didn’t make it back before my mom did and I got in trouble again but it was worth spending time with her.

My family used to be super close and I loved that about us. One day I was home with my mom and we was upstairs listening to music. My Aunt Dorothy came to our house and knocked on the door but we didn’t hear her so she left a note and went home. The next day I went to school and came back to my house as the happy little girl I was when I saw my mom crying. I didn’t know what was going on, I was only 7. Then she told me that my Aunt Dorothy passed away. That happy little girl was gone and I immediately started crying outside, not caring who saw. I just couldn’t stop. She was killed just outside her house the night before, an overkill. Maybe if we would’ve heard the door then none of it would’ve happen. Then she probably would still be alive. A piece of me died with her.

A year before she died, one of her kids died from a house fire. Her name was Jessica and she was the cutest baby ever, my aunt was outside when the fire happened. Her other kids made it out with only smoke inhalation. Jessica died at the hospital and my aunt Dorothy cried on my shoulder. I was too shocked to cry. I miss them both so much.

Inspire to be inspired.

My name is Sabrah Mitchell. I am from a small town in Washington State known as Kennewick Washington. A few months ago my family moved to the West side of the state to another small town known as Mukilteo Washington about 20 min north of Seattle. I would consider myself a small town girl. I have a lot to say and not sure where to start, but here I go.

I want to first start off by saying the person who inspires me the most is my mom. My mom was 17 years old when I came into her life. Every single day she tells me I was the best thing that happened to her. My mom has never stopped trying to give me an amazing life. She teaches me to be kind, patient, selfless, and to love others. We do not have a lot, but that has never stopped my mom from working really hard for my brother and I. She is a true super hero. With that said. My mom inspires me because she does so much for people every day. She works as a volunteer in the school district as well as the community giving of herself to others every day. I did not realize how much she inspires me until something hit me like a train, followed by a dump truck last year when I lost my best friend suddenly to a childhood illness called Addisons disease. This was the hardest thing I have ever in my 14 years of life had to experience, and my mom was there to catch me as I fell to my knees in shock to hear I had just lost my best friend.
A few weeks after I lost Julianna my mom stumbled across an amazing designer whom she did not know was a designer at the time. My mom was actually sticking up for this designer on social media not even knowing who Eni with Lulu et Gigi was. It was pretty amazing to watch my mom be so invested in the well-being of others. This led to an invite to New York Fashion week, where I modeled for the first time. It was amazing. Watching the entire process was amazing, enlightening, challenging, and extremely inspirational. I met so many fantastic people, and made friends that I know will last a life time. Because of my mom and eni working really hard to get me there (my mom literally sold everything she had to pay for us to go). I left New York inspired. But let me back up a minute. The New York Fashion Show date ended up being on Juliann’s Birthday (my best friend who now watches over me). The entire thing was just incredible. I felt Julianna with me the entire time. At that point I knew I could possible inspire and empower young girls all over the world to just love their purpose in life. This is where I found inspiration, which will lead me into who I am what I want to do, and why it means so much to me.

I am Sarbah Mitchell, I will be 14 years old on January 5th, 2017 and I want to make a difference. I am a part of a prevention team at my school, where I peer mediate, counsel and prevent other students from self-inflicting harm or acts of destruction. I am also an anti-bully teen activist, where I stand up for those who struggle with situations that make them feel less than their best. I am also a childhood cancer and illness awareness activist, where I volunteer and promote 

The Tears I’ve Wept

Traumatized, depressed, scared, I was suppressed, not knowing whom to go to, or where to turn. Paralyzed in fear, my mouth felt as if it was glued shut, trying to escape the sticky walls of words. I didn’t feel my worth of staying in this society, I lost my identity. “Who am I?” the frequent question pictured in my mind day by day. Taking my life, as if bullying couldn’t hurt me anymore. My name’s Anum Tayyab, and I was bullied.

Comatose, yet joyful, I was eager for my first day of seventh grade. As I wished my mother a good day, my feet took their first steps onto the school transportation bus, making my way to an entirely new year. The jerky ride along with anxious thoughts made me extremely apprehensive for school, but I was determined to make this year my very best, but it was only when I entered when I began to realize…this is impossible.

Throughout the year, I was always picked on by my fellow students. They made fun of my lifestyle, culture, and mainly religion. Kids would “playfully,” make bomb sounds with their mouths referring to me, and making sudden outbursts during instruction saying I caused the tragedy of 9/11. Slowly, I gradually lost parts of me, I became depressed, anxious, had no desire to live. I felt alone, unknown. The pain haunted me day by day. I began bearing the scars of society’s burns.

Every label put on my family…broke my heart. I was called a disappointment for being a “terrorist.” The worlds were like price tags, they showed my worth. By the time the price added up, I had none. I was worth nothing.

Brain Tumor Fighter

I was always a very active kid. I did a lot of activities and was always busy! I grew up figure skating, dancing, and doing ariel circus. When I was 13 years old, I wasn’t feeling like my regular self and I was having really bad headaches. My mom took me to the Children’s Hospital of Minnesota and they did an MRI of my head. On January 9th, 2015 I was diagnosed with a Brain Stem Glioma. A Brain Stem Glioma is a brain tumor located in the brain stem. Unfortunately, because of the location of my tumor, surgery is not an option. Chemotherapy also has a very slim chance of working because it won’t go through the blood-brain barrier. There isn’t really a lot of traditional options for my type of tumor. So we started researching more natural approaches!

During all of this I was searching for sit down activities that I enjoyed as much as sports. That was when I found the entertainment industry and over creative things! I fell in love with acting and modeling. I started designing clothes and writing songs and doing activities that I could do even if I had a headache. Because of all of my headaches, I started online school at the end of 7th grade. At the time I was living in Minnesota. I decided that it was time to go for my goals! My super supporting mom and I moved to LA. That was when I signed with my manager and agent!

I have been super fortunate to do some really amazing things! You can see me on the hit ABC sitcom Fresh Off The Boat, in Elle Magazine, Teen Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and others. I just got back from opening New York Fashion Week and I’m so excited to go back this winter (February 2017)!

College at 13?!

Yup, you read the title right. I did go to college when I was thirteen years old, and now I am sixteen attending Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. I know it may seem hard to wrap your finger around, but trust me, I’ll make my story as simple and captivating as possible.

Like every other life story, it started with a desire, a will -­‐-­‐ a dream. As a kid, I always wanted to make a difference in the world, a path to inspire so many people. Although I never planned to go to college so early, it sort of just happened. Growing up, I felt ordinary, and my parents were the only people who made me believe that I was someone special. Because of their amazing support, I got to experience unbelievable things, as well as create the most unique journey for myself.

I grew up in a small city near San Francisco and attended a private school until I Graduated the eighth grade. After some new ideas and a great plan, I started attending a community college at thirteen years old and transferred to a university when I was fifteen. Within the transition, I got to appear on the news for being one of the youngest college attendees in the Bay Area. One of the youngest because my sister also attended college with me at eleven years old! Anyway, life for me has been quite interesting. Of course, there were many ups and downs, tears of joy and sadness, but it was all worth it as I look back. I think moving away from my family at fifteen years old was the roughest part. I may only be six hours away , but it felt like I was flown across the world from them. Good thing FaceTime was invented because it brought me and my family back together!

Seems strange, but school was and is my current priority. It takes a great amount of education to become a doctor and I plan to become one of the greatest dermatologists. Why I chose to become a dermatologist? It is because they deal with the physical attributes of people. Helping others with their exterior insecurities will guide them to also form self‐confidence and self-­appreciation. Being a teenager, I know how it feels to have acne and other blemishes, it Makes me feel less confident about myself. Having the power and ability to help others with their happiness and self-­confidence can simply be the start to making the world a better place -­‐ because a happy person can be the light to spread positive vibes to everyone else.

Kindness

Hello, my name is Mia Wilson, thank you for spending your time to read this. I want to be able to influence other kids and adults with kindness. My favorite volunteering I have done was when I made over fifty dog beds for a local animal shelter in need, and I am about halfway through with creating a website for my donations. The website will include a spot where other shelters can ask for bed donations, and the website will have a blog where I can post where I donated and how it went. Of course all beds will be free for shelters in need. I plan to start volunteering at a local animal shelter once a spot opens. For the same animal shelter, I began to collect donations at the beginning of 2017, and I plan on collecting a lot by the time 2018 rolls around. I really love and support animals, and I want to be able to inspire others to do the same. “An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.”-Martin Buber

I also made four blankets for homeless kids, and I love to craft and create things and helping people at the time just makes it so much better. Even though four is not a lot, it is better than zero. I believe that as long as I helped one child, I made a big difference. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”-Gandhi

Other than these moments, my proudest was when I had one of the worst scores on my track and field team, but I practiced and trained really hard all season. I ended up getting onto the 4×100 relay team for the Championship, and we ended up getting a superb time (58 seconds) and we placed very high! This meant a lot to me because I did not give up, and our relay team ended up impressing our coach. If you give up, you automatically lose, but if you try, even if you do not succeed, you win.

My favorite quote is “Push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.” This quote means that you cannot rely on others because you have to push yourself, by yourself. I live by this quote because I want to make a difference in our world, and I am definitely not going to sit by, waiting for someone to do it for me.

Words are my Super Power

If I’m a supergirl, it’s simply because I know of a superpower: the breathtaking power of words. We all use words: it’s how we communicate, how we share, how we coexist in this world, but over these past years I have only began to understand how brilliant, magical and transformative they are if used correctly.

I was first thrown into this magic in the first Harry Potter novel and I loved it. At night, when insomnia plagued me, I created a game for myself. After reading the first Harry Potter novel, I was caught upon the characters. I wanted to be there at Hogwarts with them. So in my mind I recreated the characters, forging them in my imagination. I sculpted them in the future with twenty two pairs of identical twins (I was particularly fascinated with twins, being an only child at the time). They all had names and ages and if I forgot a new name or age I would simply derive a new one. My own form of fanfiction, but purely for myself. Each night I played with my little mind game, visiting the kingdom vibrant in imagination.
As I matured I created a new game, shaping out my wildest fantasies and dreams in my mind world. I would live vicariously through my imaginary, perfect characters and each night new obstacles faced them. As I entertained myself this way, along the way I had fallen deeper in love with these delicately curled and boxed building blocks. Words fascinate me, not only what we’ve made them mean, but their forms. How the ‘r’s curve to form a regretting face in the word sorry. Or how the ‘f’ in flower forms the stem of the flower, while the ‘w’ are the petals. For me each sentence has to sound right, but also look right.

But words are not truly meant to be seen, they are meant to be seen through. They’re a portal transporting you to another time and place. When I read, the black and white print transforms into colorful worlds; worlds I can escape into. I laugh, sob, mourn, shout, and giggle. I disappear from the common human mask that I wear, to an extraordinary person that lies in the books, becoming more than the normal that binds me.

One night at around ten years old I strived to create a new storyline. After reading the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare I needed a world to fall into at night that contained magic. Magic and words, I feel, are quite similar. And my chance I fell upon a name that night: Rays, and the bad guys would be Roys and my main character would be so powerful, so strong. I kept a small, purple notebook by my bed and mapped out my characters, giving them first, last and middle names, birthdays and powers. I began the process of composing a universe. At night, I would spend hours brainstorming how this would work and how that would fly. At some point I told myself, it only has to make sense to you.

Following in her footsteps

On August 28, 2014, Elizabeth Maria Walsh, my ballet teacher and close friend, sadly passed away. She was only 26 years old.

I was so upset, I couldn’t contain my tears. Twenty minutes after I found out, I had to take a ballet class. I was so devastated, my first reaction was to go home. But as it got closer to the class, I thought about it more. Since Elizabeth showed so much bravery when she hurt so badly, I decided to honor her in that way. I took my ballet class holding in my tears, because I knew that’s what she would have wanted.

Elizabeth was a warrior—she called herself “Luchadora” which means warrior in Spanish. She was the bravest person I’ve ever met, and always will be. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Adrenal Cortical Cancer, an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer that strikes only one in a million people. After six months of surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, she convinced herself and everyone around her that she would get better. She listened to Broadway musicals while undergoing radiation and was frequently told, “Miss Walsh, we need you to lie still.” But Elizabeth could never be still.

For a few months, she was better. She was in multiple callbacks for the Broadway company of In the Heights. When she was finally cast in a regional production of the show at Cabrillo Musical Theatre in Sherman Oaks, it was a dream come true for her. However, at the same time she learned that her cancer had come back and was spreading. The doctors urged her to skip the show and start chemo right away. But Elizabeth refused. She wanted to live her life and perform in her dream show. She died a few months after the last curtain.

Elizabeth was always a bright light everywhere she went and an inspiration to everyone who knew her. She taught me that life is what you make of it. It’s important how you treat people and how you handle whatever challenges are thrown at you. You face them with bravery and love. Though she hit many rocks along her path, it just made her want to keep going more. She was never afraid, never sad, never angry–at least she didn’t let us see it. She was beautiful and graceful and strong.