Tag: confidence

November 2, 2016

Gabrielle Begun

Published AuthorSan Francisco, CAPhotos by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Gabrielle Begun

How many girls out there have always dreamed of being in a photoshoot? Where the camera is ready, everyone respects you, people make way for you on the streets, and all the attention is on you. As a little girl, well at least before I published my book, I had always dreamed of being in that position; being respected enough to get my own personal photoshoot and for my pictures to be swiftly thrown out into the world. The problem was, I was an extremely shy kid. I didn’t

have stage fright, but I was shy in front of the camera and other people. I had no trouble performing but I had trouble meeting people and holding conversations without breaking a nervous sweat, and I still sometimes do. It might sound strange saying that I feel at home on stage but when meeting new people and starting conversations or talking with adults I feel like a turtle who wants to crawl back into her shell.

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September 28, 2016

Kenidra Woods

Cheetah MovementSt. Louis, MissouriStory by Kenidra Woods

Hey, I’m Kenidra Woods. I’m not just any “ordinary” girl, more like extraordinary. I feel way ahead of my time, like I’ve seen this all before but with a remarkable ending. While going through this journey I am growing much more wiser, mature, and insightful. Ya know us girls mature faster than boys anyways, right? Lol. As a young girl we never imagine life being hard and we really see no wrong in the ones who loves us. You just never know or ask for what happens to you. Well, I certainly didn’t ask nor would I have ever imagined being sexually abused starting at 8 yrs old and it went on for about two years by the two men in my life that were supposed to protect me. Feeling resentful, ashamed, and worthless, I started to harm myself in any way I possibly could to make myself feel better about what happened to me. After several suicide attempts, I was in and out of the hospital. One day, I just told myself I don’t want to live like this anymore. I needed a plan, a different way to release what I was feeling. That’s when I started my movement, CHEETAH (confidence, harmony, enlightenment, encouragement, tranquility, awareness, and hope) Movement for self-harm and suicide prevention- to let individuals know that they are beautiful even through their battle wounds inside and out. Whether it’s a scar inside or out, every scar symbolizes strength and builds each and every one of our characters daily. Ever since then I believe in my heart that…

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September 21, 2016

Gabrielle Begun

WriterSan Francisco, CAPhotos by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Gabrielle Begun

To write a bio about yourself, you have to know yourself very well, and trust that you will make yourself sound like a decent human being. Right now, I’m trying to accomplish this very thing. I’m going to start with the simplest thing; my name. I’m Gabrielle Begun, I’m twelve years old (even though I don’t look it), and I’m in eighth grade. I’m a published author with 15 book readings under my belt and a huge passion for writing. I also love performing; acting, singing, and playing guitar and piano. I’m in a band and I have to say, it’s really fun. And to add to all of this; I love reading books and watching movies equally, so there is no question which I like better. But I love both to such a high point, it’s undescribable. I love everything about movies, and I definitely watch a lot of them. The same with books. My current favorite book is Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children and my current favorite movie is Edward Scissorhands.

Well, now you know my interests and outside personality. I’m going to give a shot at the inside part now. I’ve been told I’m a deep person and an old soul, because of the fact that my heart, mind, and soul do not seem the same age as my body. I’m an introvert, but I like to talk to and be around people. I’ve also been told that I am extremely imaginative,…

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