I am so happy to finally get this issue to you. It has been a long time in the making! I moved out of state for a short period of time and considered re-naming the magazine to include others who wanted to participate. I moved back, however, and decided that being local is what makes this magazine special. So this is for you East Texas! Brittni, our cover model, is a wonderful girl and a delight to be around! I feel she can truly be an inspiration to other girls. She not only excels academically, but serves her community as well. We are very blessed to have her represent our great state of Texas! w/♥,
PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Heather Nielson
PHOTOGRAPHY: Janik Photography
DESIGN: Fran Sherman
STAFF WRITER: Amber Kendall
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Brittni Barnett, Caitlin Giddens, Stacy Noyes
COVER MODEL: Brittni Barnett
HAIR & MAKEUP: Monica Lily
PHOTOGRAPHY: Janik Photography
Corrections to the May/June issue
The name of the author of “Captain Fantastic” was omitted by mistake. She is Krysta Hamilton.
A girl’s contributions to society are worthy of every honor. We at East Texas Teen strive to bring these girls’ light to others who will be inspired to make the world a little brighter.
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cover model my voice dear amber local fashions
Cover models are selected based on their involvement and leadership in their schools and/or communities. If you would like to apply or nominate someone, email the nominee's or your name, age, hometown, and contact information to the magazine.
If you are interested in modeling, please send your photos to the magazine via email at info@easttexasteen.com.
You are welcome to share your writing and photography talents with this magazine. We are happy to provide an outlet for your work.
You may ask Dear Amber and the Cover Model any question you would like as long as it is appropriate for general audiences. A few will be printed in each issue. You can also write in with other questions, comments, or suggestions for the editor or other members of the staff.
Brittni Rose Barnett, 18, is a 2009 honor graduate from Whitehouse High School on the distinguished achievement plan. She was vice-president of the National Honor Society and vicepresident of her senior class. She was among the top ten academically ranked students of her graduating class and was also among the top ten seniors chosen by the WHS faculty. She was a member of the Foreign Language Club, Quill and Scroll, Advanced Mixed Choir (advancing to the State Solo and Ensemble Competition), as well as being an Associate Editor on her high school news-
paper staff. She was a member of the UIL Academic Team and participated in numerous events including Editorial Writing, News Writing, Headline Writing, and Current Issues and Events. She placed 1st in 4A state Editorial Writing and went on to receive the prestigious Tops in Texas award making her the Editorial Writing state champion in 1A through 5A schools. She was also chosen as a Who’s Who Among American High School Students and is very active in her church and the numerous philanthropic activities they participate in. Brittni is attending the University of North Texas, where she is working on a dual major in journalism and political science.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Once I discovered my love and talent as a writer it has been my dream to use my talent to inform and inspire the world, and express myself in the process. As we teens stand here on the very edge of who we are now and who we will soon become once we reach adulthood I believe Mrs. Roosevelt’s quote is very fitting for us all. The world is soon to be ours. Our dreams of now will soon cease to be dreams. They will be realized or changed into something new, yet just as fitting. Just as Mrs. Roosevelt said, since the future is soon to be ours, we must believe in the beauty of
our own dreams. We must believe that all the life lessons we have learned thus far have the potential to truly help shape our dreams and allow them to become reality. We must have hope and faith in ourselves and our potential. For how else will we have the strength to take on the future that is entrusted to us? Each of us has a dream we wish to be realized, and over the past year I have truly learned that dreams can become a reality. With the help of God’s strength and guidance I have achieved many of the dreams I never believed I could. I am now the State Champion in Editorial Writing. Although I have worked hard to achieve this dream for the past four years, nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming rush of emotion I felt as I received my medal. It really made me stop and think. If my dream could become a reality, why not the dreams of every other teen who is as passionate about something as I am? As teens we have our whole lives stretched before us. Small dreams such as mine are only a fraction of the dreams teens have that truly have the potential to impact our world. Such an impact on the world may come from the girl who wishes to be a veterinarian or the boy who wishes to be a missionary. It could come from the two best friends who wish to be teachers, the boy who wishes to be president, or the girl who wishes to take to the stage night after night. Each of these individuals has the ability to shape our world simply because they know that their dreams have a right to be realized. As emerging adults we must all be ready to take on tomorrow and face what it will bring. We must never let it stop us from following the path of our dreams or disrupt the future we are to inherit. As our journey to adulthood looms closer we should be thankful of what we have experienced and learned so far, whether it was good or bad. For only with such experiences and life lessons will we be shaped into the people the world needs us to be. With hard work, love, and God on our side each of us has the ability to achieve our dreams, whether they come in the form of being an influential writer or simply a better person. However, each of us must look ahead to the future with expectant hearts, open minds, and steady feet. We must never forget the beauty of our dreams and the potential they have to transform our world. It is my sincerest hope that my dream of becoming a writer will soon be realized and that my writing can truly help shape our world into a better and brighter tomorrow. After all, the future belongs to us. Let us take it with open arms.
19 years old Freshman
Baylor University
Studying journalism
Minoring in creative writing
HOBBIES
writing, reading, dancing
ORGANIZATIONS
• Freshman Officer of the Society of Professional Journalists at Baylor
• Member of the Freshmen Class Council
• Volunteer at University Baptist Church in Waco
By flipping through pages of a fashion magazine, or turning on MTV or walking down the school hallway, it’s obvious modesty is at the bottom of most girls’ priorities. Teenagers’ skirts slip higher while their blouses sink lower, and it seems like the line between sexy and scandalous blurs more every day. But instead of subjecting ourselves to this lowering standard, we should rise up and promote a movement of modesty.
I admit it. When I open my closet I don’t ask, “What is the most modest thing I could wear?” And when I think of something to say with a group of friends, I don’t stop because it would seem “immodest.” But modesty doesn’t mean covering yourself in a turtleneck and slacks every day. Modesty doesn’t mean hiding behind a book and keeping your thoughts to yourself.
Modesty means realizing your self- worth and beauty, then choosing not to scandalize or cheapen it with clothing and attitude. By spreading a movement of modesty, we demand respect from others. Because the truth is that while you may envy girls looking glamorous in practically no clothes, you don’t respect them.
But no teenage girl wants to be respected, right? We want to be desired, adored and cherished. Not respected. Respect is what your mom demands, what your teachers beg. But whether we realize it or not, we want respect: the respect for our crushes to ask us on a second date, the respect for our boyfriends to honor our boundaries, the respect for our parents to trust us with extended curfews. After surviving high school and moving away from college, I’ve learned no one can respect you if you don’t respect yourself.
So slip a camisole on under that low-cut sweater, put away the eyeliner for a night and embrace how beautiful and worthy you are without subjecting to society’s scandalous standard. And the next time you look at yourself in the mirror, demand the respect from yourself that you expect from others. Because modesty is lovely, and so are you.
If you can write, you can win!
Write an essay of approximately 250 words on a topic of your choice. One essay will be published in each issue. The four published essays are judged by the staff of East Texas Teen and by Dr. Alan Barnes, English Professor - University Studies at Tyler Junior College.
The winner will receive $100 cash, clothing, beauty products, a hair makeover, personalized skin care and makeup instruction, and will be featured as a cover model!
Hey, I’m having trouble being noticed. This really gorgeous guy (whose personality makes him cute) goes to the same church as me. I have been playing all the tricks in the book. I even talked about his interests, but I feel invisible. I did proper etiquette, I did irresistible, I did annoying but cute, I did Me, but I don’t seem to exist. At dances I always ask for the dance, which he sometimes accepts, but he always asks my sister. By doing so, I get jealous of my sister and start arguing with her. I need HELP!!
Love Always,
Shelby, 16 Robert E. Lee High SchoolMy dear friend, I know it can be difficult to have feelings for a guy and not have the feelings reciprocated. Guys are usually not very good with words and showing affection. If he is not showing any interest in you, then you need to start reading his actions. It’s very obvious when they are not ready for what you want, so watch and listen to what he is saying. Sometimes coming on too strong actually pushes a guy away. Never be anyone but you! Your personality will be the biggest thing that the love of your life will go crazy for. Remember that you are the only you the world has, so be true to who you are. The most important thing you need to keep in mind is that boys will come and go, but your sister will always be there. Jealousy is a poison that, once introduced, is very hard for which to find a cure that will save your friendship. So you need to cool your feelings about this guy and start thinking about your relationship with your sister. Hold on tight to her - she will be the friend that will stick by you throughout life. Don’t despair - there are plenty of fish in the sea! :)
Love, Amber
Turn your cell phone off, or set the ring to “silent” or “vibration” when in these locations: restaurant, airplane, theater, library, museum, church, classroom, business meeting, and hospital. About theaters - even when the phone is on silent or vibration, the screen lights up when used which is very distracting. You should avoid using your phone here altogether.
WARDROBE: JEWELS & JEANS - TYLER, TX
HAIR & MAKEUP: MONICA LILY - DALLAS, TX
PHOTOGRAPHER: JANIK PHOTOGRAPHY - DALLAS, TX
STATISTICS SHOW THAT PEOPLE WHO WORKOUT IN THE MORNINGS ARE MORE LIKELY TO STICK TO THEIR ROUTINES. THERE ARE FEWER DISTRACTIONS IN THE MORNING BEFORE SCHOOL. ONCE YOU GET HOME, ALL KINDS OF UNEXPECTED THINGS CAN HAPPEN. THEN BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU’VE SKIPPED YOUR WORKOUT FOR THE DAY!
EAT FISH! THE OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS FOUND IN FISH IMPROVE MENTAL FUNCTIONS. STUDENTS WHO EAT TWO SERVINGS OF FISH PER WEEK HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO PERFORM BETTER ON TESTS!
STACY NOYES CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO WASH YOUR FACE MORNING AND NIGHT. DURING THE DAY, YOUR FACE COLLECTS DIRT, OIL, AND POLLUTANTS FROM THE AIR. IT’S TORTURE ON YOUR SKIN TO MAKE IT SLEEP IN THAT ALL NIGHT!
TO PLAY UP ONE FEATURE OF YOUR FACE, KEEP THE REST OF IT NEUTRAL. FOR EXAMPLE, TO MAKE YOUR EYES STAND OUT, USE MORE DRAMATIC MAKEUP LIKE SMOKY COLORS AND BLACK LINER AND USE A NATURAL COLOR ON YOUR LIPS. FOR FABULOUS LIPS, USE A BOLD COLOR AND KEEP YOUR EYES NATURAL WITH LIGHT SHADOW AND MASCARA.
• No down-time approach to help clear acne lesions.Reduces the severity of future breakouts.
• CUSTOM TEEN/ACNE FACIALS
• JANE IREDALE MINERAL COSMETICS
• OBAGI ACNE THERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS
WARDROBE: YASMINA JOHNSTON
HAIR & MAKEUP: MONICA LILY
PHOTOGRAPHER: JANIK PHOTOGRAPHY
