Lake Norman Woman Magazine June 2018 by Lake Norman Woman Magazine

WHERE ARE THEY

now?

M O RE A M A Z I N G A C C O M P L I SH M E N T S F RO M A M A ZI N G GIRLS ALUMNI!

Pg. 52

GIRLS

on the GO!

THE MO VERS & SHAKERS O F O UR FUTURE

Pg. 16

G N I Z A M A 7 TH A N N U A L

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STAFF

PUBLISHER DANA NIETERS

dana@lakenormanwoman.com

EDITOR LESLIE OGLE

leslie@lakenormanwoman.com

L A K E

V O L U M E

stephanie@lakenormanwoman.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE MICHELE SCHUERMANN michele@lakenormanwoman.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JESSICA JONES

jessica@lakenormanwoman.com

ART DIRECTOR CHELSEA BREN

chelsea@lakenormanwoman.com

DISTRIBUTION MANAGED BY CAROLINA CONSULT, LLC

J U N E CO N T RI BU TO RS :

Shawn A. Hall; Antionette G. Kerr; Michelle Love; Kari McCormick; Robin Whitlock

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X I

woman N U M B E R

from

THE PUBLISHER

was very optimistic about her future—not a negative trait in and of itself. The flaw in her positive outlook was that she believed that once she was on her own, she would be able to create for herself a life that would be problem free. (It’s ok, you won’t hurt my feelings if you pause here to guffaw…I didn’t say that I was a terribly insightful teenager.) MY TEENAGE SELF

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE STEPHANIE SULLIVAN

N O R M A N

For a little while, life did seem like nothing but roses to the newlyindependent me. As a newly married, recent college graduate with a new condo and a new job, I was on top of the world, certain that things would stay that way forever. Unfortunately, though, that’s not the way life works. “Life shows up,” as my friend Leslie likes to say. You can imagine the tsunami of frustration and confusion that overcame the 20-something-yearold me when I discovered this fact.

Why didn’t someone warn me that life is full of profoundly difficult and stressful situations? Oh, wait … I suppose that is what my mother meant when she told me that “I was going to wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast.” But the teenage me responded to that bit of motherly advice, like every other bit of motherly advice bestowed upon me at that time, with a roll of the eyes, a heavy sigh, and the certainty that my mother was off her rocker. Even Rodney Dangerfield tried to warm me. Thornton Melon, his character in the movie Back to School, cautioned graduates who were about to embark on their journeys into adulthood of the danger of “stepping in number two.” His remedy for that peril was simple: “Don’t go!”

My teenage self didn’t listen to Thornton Melon either. In hindsight, I’m glad she didn’t. Sure, she was quite naïve, and had she shirked from the uncertainties of life that were ahead of her, she might have sidestepped some of those piles of “you-know-what” that created a few messy situations in her life. But she also would have missed the gifts that came from those missteps. It wasn’t pretty, that’s a fact; but those messes resulted in a whole lot of learning and growth that pointed the younger me in the direction of the woman I wanted to be…the woman I am today. It is my hope that the amazing girls featured in this issue, along with all the young women of Lake Norman who are about to embark on the next chapter of their lives (and I mean this in the most positive way), step in at least a few messes. And then I hope they learn from that step, laugh at that step, and come to understand that it was a step that had to happen so that they could eventually get to where they need to be. Yes, it will be messy. But it is my greatest hope for them that though they will find that it isn’t always beautiful, they will also discover that life is, indeed, a beautiful ride.

Dana DANA NIETERS PUBLISHER

Contac t Dana via e -mail at dana@lakenormanwoman.com

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contents w

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More behind the scenes from our girls' photoshoot on page 40!

JUNE 2018

AMAZING LKN GIRLS!

2018 GIRLS ON THE GO

Hannah Thompson

Mallorie Haines

Taylor Loyd

Skylannd Sherrill

Brooke Bertram

Kaylee Christmas

Emma Poulin

Julia Knapp

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

in every issue 40 42

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S C E N E WI T H L KNW

5 THI N GS TO D O I N J U NE

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36 SPECIAL THANKS Spare Time Huntersville provided the perfect backdrops for our 2018 Amazing Girls' photoshoot!

8 ACTIVITIES TO KEEP KIDS' BRAINS ACTIVE THIS SUMMER

MONEY MATTERS: PLANNING FOR COLLEGE

the

ever

cutest LKN FINANCE 12 Money Matters: Planning For College FAMILY 14 8 THINGS: 8 Activities To Keep Kids' Brains Active This Summer

Beyond The Mouse!

College Prepping

SELF 58 MIND, BODY, SPIRIT: BE Amazing!

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MONEY MATTER$

Planning for College By: Robin Whitlock

P L A N N I N G T H E J O U R N E Y B E YO N D H I G H S C H O O L ?

You can never start early enough, especially if your plans include post-secondary education. College costs are increasing at a pace faster than inflation. I have a 5-year-old child, and based on a four-year, in-state public institution, those tuition costs (along with other room-and-board necessities) will calculate to more than $178,000 in 13 years.

Funding for higher education can seem like a daunting challenge but, with planning and resourcefulness, anyone can pursue their dreams of attending college. Here are some things to consider—

529 Plans

A 529 plan is a qualiﬁed tuition plan which can be in the form of a pre-paid tuition plan or a college savings. These are sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions. Contributions grow tax-deferred, and when funds are withdrawn to pay for qualiﬁed education expenses, these funds are not taxed at the federal level. Each state has its own set of rules governing 529 plans.

Gifts

Each year the student can receive tax-free gifts for his or her account up to a certain amount known as the annual exclusion amount. For 2018, the annual exclusion amount is $15,000. The total amount of money that can be gifted will vary from year to year based on inflation. These funds can be gifted through several financial resources including a trust, a 529 savings plan, or other accounts for educational purposes. You can gift cash, stocks, and bonds (or anything else of value) which will be deducted from the annual exclusion amount. There are lots of exceptions to the gift tax rules, so do your research and consult a financial advisor.

Other Resources

Some other options that you may want to investigate include the following: Employer Education Assistance; Veterans Educational Beneﬁts; Scholarships; Grants; Coverdell Savings Plans; Tax Credits; Loans; and Savings Bonds.

You can take the stress out of the financial aspects of college by proper planning and making contingency plans. Start the conversation early and speak with your family financial planner or family accountant who knows your specific situation. Not only is this journey an emotional one, it is also a financial one so buckle up and be prepared! Robin Whitlock is a financial advisor, controller, and partner with Infinite Wealth Advisors, LLC, in Mooresville (704.360.4282) and High Point (877.281.8282). For more information, visit their website at www.InfiniteWealthAdvisors.com.

*Investment Advisory Services are provided by NAMCOA®, Naples Asset Management Company, a federally registered investment advisor. Infinite Wealth Advisors serves the financial planning and retirement income planning needs of clients in only those states where its affiliates or representatives are properly insurance licensed and/or registered as an investment advisorrepresentative, if applicable.

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ON THE

M E E T OU R “G I RL S O N THE GO ” OF 2 0 1 8 W H O ARE SURE TO BE TH E M OVE RS AN D SHAKERS OF OU R F U TU RE! WHETHER TH E Y' VE AC TE D SELFLESSLY, POS I TI VE LY I M PACTED OTHERS W I TH I N OU R C O MMUNITY AN D B E YON D, DISPLAYED C OU RAG E AN D BRAVERY IN A TOU G H S I TUATIO N, O R PE RF ORM E D E X C EPTIO NALLY TI M E AN D TI M E AGAIN, THESE G I RL S I M PRE S S AN D INSPIRE US W I TH TH E I R U N I Q UE SKILLS, TAL E N TS , AN D GIFTS.

I S A B E L L A & A N N A C U E S TA Isabella and Anna Cuesta, 9-yearold sisters (actually triplets with brother James!) attending Woodland Heights Elementary, are quite the dynamic duo. Last year when the hurricane hit Puerto Rico, they jumped into action and worked tirelessly with their mother, Justine, to gather, sort, and organize food donations, toiletries, baby formula, etc., and then delivered all the items to the Puerto Rican Cultural Society. The twins’ volunteering started in kindergarten with the Girl Scouts and a group called Little Helpers (both of which they are still active in today). Two years ago, Isabella and Anna started volunteering with Grace Covenant and boxing up food for families on Thanksgiving—that they delivered themselves! While both girls play basketball and are on the honor roll, Isabella is also in the Chess Club, and Anna sings in the chorus.

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P R E S L E Y YO C H A rising sophomore at Pine Lake Preparatory, Presley Yoch, 15, is a varsity member of her school’s swim team and, for the past two summers, has participated in ocean lifeguarding camps at Isle of Palms and Folly Beach, preparing her for certification this summer. Having just completed the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification process, she hopes to soon start teaching young children to swim. For the past four years, Presley has volunteered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk, among other philanthropic endeavors. She is a member of Greater Lake Norman Young Life as well as the Carolina Film Community. Named after Elvis Presley, she loves music and travel and hopes to study abroad. G E O R G I A P I C A R I E L LO

Georgia Picariello, 18, is a recent graduate of Pine Lake Preparatory and has been an Ambassador for Young Elites for over four years. She has also had the honor of being a member of their ELITES Squad for two years. Georgia started the Young Elites Club at Pine Lake Prep—encouraging young women at the school to go outside of their comfort zones by participating in various philanthropic activities such as Letters for Soldiers, Cookies for Cancer, and Dogs Day at her school, which helps support the Cornelius Animal Shelter. Georgia says her years with Young Elites has prepared her well as she looks forward to attending East Carolina University this fall.

Pine Lake Preparatory Young Elites Club ASHLEY PEARSON Secretary and rising senior Ashley Pearson, 16, has endless energy and passion. Whether it’s 4 a.m. or 4 p.m., her zest for life and making each day count never wane. This life strategy helps Ashley maintain her impressive 4.0 GPA, and it earned her a place as

Junior Ambassador representing her school as well. One of her passions is helping with children at her church, and she is also a Reading Buddy at the North County Regional Library during her summers. Always eager to volunteer and help others, Ashley was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award last year for completing 50 hours of volunteer services.

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ON THE

EMMA CHRISTENSEN

Emma Christensen, a June 2018 graduate of Pine Lake Preparatory, has been a member of Young Elites since 2013 and co-founded her school’s branch of the organization. Additionally, while at Pine Lake Prep, she was involved with the Impact Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Art Honors Society. Especially important to her, Emma is in the junior volunteer program at Northeast Medical Center where she was stationed in the cancer center, learning invaluable life lessons. With her sights set on becoming an occupational therapist, Emma is attending East Carolina University this fall. Much of her creative energies go toward art and playing the guitar, but Emma says her future goals are to continue to be leadership oriented and altruistic in her pursuits.

AMELIA GUERRERO A rising senior at South Iredell High School, Amelia Guerrero is not only vice president of her school’s History National Honors Society but she is also a member of the Spanish and English honor societies. As part of the IB (International Baccalaureate) program, Amelia has many achievements and accolades under her belt and, during her freshman year, received the Keystone

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Award, which recognizes those who meet all the IB Learner Profile Traits. Discovering early on that presenting, writing, and debating were her strengths, Amelia is active in the speech and debate club and was also chosen for the varsity position on the Quill team two years in a row— advancing her school to state competition where they placed in the top 10.

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our annual LKN teens and tweens issue spotlights eight of the strongest, most fearless, creative, and generous girls in the Lake Norman area.

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rising

senior Hannah Thompson of Mooresville grew up in the Lake Norman area. In fact, her family lived here even before the lake existed! A student at Pine Lake Preparatory, Hannah is an honors student, maintaining a 4.2 GPA, and is a member of the Art National Honor Society, the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Math Honor Society, and Key Club. The varsity cheerleader knows the challenges of being a busy teen and is able to approach them with a mature and straightforward approach: “I try to find balance by staying organized, using good time-management skills, and keeping my priorities in line,” she says. Recently, Hannah started a small business called LKN Custom Creations. “I make personalized gifts such as monogrammed coffee mugs and wine glasses,” she explains, “as well as personalized Christmas ornaments and blankets.” Additionally, Hannah holds a part-time job with Kid’s Gym at the Lake and is also busy filling out college applications. Hannah plans to attend Chapel Hill or East Carolina University and would like to major in psychology. “I find psychiatry fascinating,” she says, “and how different chemicals affect the brain intrigues me.” Hannah’s family owns a mental health practice so she has grown up around practitioners in the field, spurring her interests further. Very active in the community, her family instilled altruism in Hannah at an early age. “My parents have always been active members in our community,” she says. “Growing up, we volunteered as a family and it has inspired me to do the same as I get older.” Hannah currently volunteers with Team Access at the Mooresville campus of The Cove Church. Five years ago, Hannah began volunteering with an organization called Saturday Sharing. Every other Saturday, she would travel to Charlotte and hand out food and supplies to the homeless. “I saw the need for warmth,” she lovingly says, “and decided I needed to do something more.” With a giving heart and a lot of faith, Hannah began a philanthropic initiative where she and her friends collect and distribute sleeping bags to the homeless. In the last four years, she and her pals have been able to give more than 150 sleeping bags to those in need. When asked to give advice to a young person, Hannah responds with a gem of wisdom: “The pressures of growing up can sometimes lead us to doubt ourselves, but if we stay true to ourselves, then we can always be proud—regardless of what others think.”

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By: Michelle Love

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swish!

If Mallorie Haines is on the court, you can bet that’s the sound that will resonate throughout the gym over and over and over again. Mallorie, who lives in Sherrills Ford and attends Davidson Day School, started playing basketball when she was seven. Only two baskets were scored in her first game, but both of them were hers. “Mallorie was playing other sports,” remembers her mom, Tanya, “but with that first game, she fell in love with basketball.” Mallorie and her family moved to California a few years later. There, she began playing AAU ball, and was coached by Bobby Jackson and Sean Chambers, both veterans of the NBA. Mallorie also began training with NBA player Anthony Carter, and under his tutelage, she became an exceptional shooter. In June of 2016, the family moved back to Sherrills Ford. Though Mallorie was scheduled to attend a national invite-only camp that summer, a 100-pound ceramic pot nearly scratched those plans—along with her future in basketball. In dropping the pot on her foot, Mallorie severed tendons and caused lacerations so deep she almost lost her toe … “111 stitches later,” Mallorie recalls, “I had doctor’s orders to stay off my foot for at least four weeks.” Mallorie was not to be deterred: “After three weeks, I slowly started to walk and run. Though it was painful, I attended camp and even made the all-star game!” Once fully recovered, Mallorie began training with another former NBA player, Charlotte native Jeff McInnis. She joined Jeff’s AAU team, Lady Team Charlotte, as its youngest player at only 13. Shooting 43 percent from the three-point line, Mallorie helped the team win two national championships last summer. Her performance playing for her high school team last year was just as stellar—among a long list of honors, she broke the Mecklenburg County record for most points scored in a single game by a freshman (51), broke the Davidson Day record for most points scored by a freshman in a season (551), and made the ESPNW HoopGurlz recruiting watch list for 2021. This level of achievement hasn’t come without sacrifice, which for Mallorie has meant time away from loved ones and missed vacations. “I have sacrificed a lot,” she admits, “but my goal since third grade has been to play college basketball. It is all for that purpose.” If Mallorie ever wondered if the hard work was worth it, confirmation has arrived. She is being recruited by the nation’s highest ranked academic college, along with about 20 other colleges. She says: “This sport has taught me a lot about life, too; if you want to achieve anything at a top level, you cannot do that without sacrifice.”

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By: Dana Nieters

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aylor Loyd was 10 when she fell in love with the opera; however, she’d been training in voice since she was just 4 years old. When her parents, Ashton and Cinamon, took the fifth-grader to an Opera Carolina kids’ night, she was mesmerized—it was as if she found her calling. Since then, Taylor has altered her school schedule to pursue a path of becoming a professional opera singer. The 16-year-old attended traditional school up to this year. Now, Taylor studies online courses through North Carolina Virtual Public School, a program adopted by the state that has served over 175,000 middle and high school students since 2007. “There weren’t enough hours in the day,” Taylor says. The traditional school setting left her scrambling to attend voice training at night at Davidson College. “I wanted to rearrange my time to put towards opera,” she explains. Her virtual studies also afford her the opportunity to travel to see world-renowned opera performances like Turandot performed by the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Her travels recently included a trip to advocate for arts on Capitol Hill. Her love of opera is a driving force for Taylor: “No matter what language someone is singing, you understand the story. So much divides people. Music is powerful enough to unite.” Taylor’s also witnessed the power of music through the eyes of her brother, Preston. Ten years ago, a tragic tractor accident left him with traumatic brain injury. In the weeks following the accident, and even now, arts and music have played significant roles in his recovery. “When he was in the hospital,” she recalls, “I saw the power of the arts in healthcare.” Taylor shares that gift with others through Human Heart, a nonprofit foundation she formed with her family. She collected over 2,000 art supplies and instruments that she distributes to local nursing homes and veterans’ facilities. The singer dreams of following in the footsteps of her role model, Beverly Sills. “I really respect her,” she smiles. “She brought opera to the mainstream and is someone who advocated for special needs.” Sills died in 2007, but Taylor enjoys performing some of the pieces made famous by the American operatic soprano. She doesn’t have roles booked for the season, but Taylor will be taking the stage and fulfilling her duties as the newly-crowned Miss Carolina Foothills’ Outstanding Teen. She won the judges’ hearts and will continue to compete for scholarship dollars so she can enroll at a music college and tour the world. “The cool thing about opera is that you never stay in the same place. You could be in New York, LA, Chicago, Madrid. As someone who loves to travel nationally and internationally, that’s something I’m going to love doing!”

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By: Antionette Kerr

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many people alone—that, in times of struggle, to expose your vulnerabilities is to admit that you are flawed and weak. But the truth is, we all think it is a sign of strength to stand

struggle at some point. And, as rising sophomore Skylannd Sherrill knows all too well, no girl is an island. When those times come and you can’t find the strength to stand on your own, it’s ok to lean on someone else for help and guidance. “That doesn’t make you weak,” Skylannd asserts, “that makes you a problem solver, and that means that you are strong.”

For Skylannd, middle school was brutal. Every day, she dreaded going to school because she knew her classmates would torment her just for being different. As she advanced through the grade levels, the ridiculing became worse, wearing down her selfesteem. “I felt alone and unpretty, as if I were all by myself in a dark hole,” Skylannd recalls. But thankfully, she did what most bullied students do not: she told her mother about her situation and asked for her help. Skylannd’s mom, Anquinette, knew exactly what to do—she set out on a mission to teach her daughter that the one and only opinion that mattered was what Skylannd believed about herself and that no one could take that from her unless she let them. “I began to start telling myself that I was beautiful,” says Skylannd. “I spoke positive and encouraging things to myself. I came to understand that it’s ok to be different because the world needs our differences. I began to believe in myself.” With this new-found self-acceptance came positive changes in Skylannd’s peer interactions. She switched schools to North Mecklenburg High and joined the JV cheerleading squad and the North Meck Fashion Club, and she became involved in the Young Elites program, which teaches leadership skills to high-school age girls. Most notably, perhaps, her perception of those who were bullying her changed, too: “My mother told me that ‘hurting people hurt people,’ and I say hurting kids do the same thing! I was bullied mostly by kids who were insecure within themselves and only felt better bringing other kids down.” She astutely adds, “Really, it is the bullies who are the unhappy ones.” Skylannd’s future plans include a trip to Japan and a college education, then possibly veterinary medical school; but in the meantime, she intends to help other teens who are struggling. “I want to inspire them to take a stand and believe in themselves,” she says. “After all, I … Skylannd Sherrill … was once where they are, and if I can get through those dark times, they can and will also!”

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By: Dana Nieters

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brooke

Bertram wrestles like a girl. That’s because she IS a girl—a strong, fearless, talented girl and the only female on the Lake Norman High School wrestling team. Brooke doesn’t consider her status on the team as out of the ordinary—after all, she’s been grappling with boys in jiu jitsu since she was eight. She is aware that a girl wrestler can be regarded as something of a novelty by some, and even controversial by others. For Brooke, though, support has been overwhelmingly positive. “With very few exceptions, everyone has been behind me,” she says. “Because I’m quite shy, some people are surprised, but after the shock, they are very encouraging. Most people think it’s cool.” Her coaches, Mr. Pavia and Mr. Lanning, have a lot to do with that acceptance, she stresses: “They have supported me from day one. They don’t see me as a girl wrestler; they see me as their 118 pounder.” Ironically, Brooke didn’t think wrestling was all that cool when she first started in 7th grade. It wasn’t just that the boys on her squad didn’t know what to think of a girl teammate (no one wanted to partner with her at first), she also wasn’t certain she cared for the sport. But Brooke refused to quit. “My parents taught me to finish what I started,” she explains, adding, “I still get a bit nervous before my matches, but my parents also taught me that being brave means to feel the fear about something and do it anyway, so I just take a deep breath and deal with it!” Today the thoughts of quitting are long gone. As of her junior year, she has won 16 of 25 matches, mostly against male competitors, some of whom are not thrilled to be paired against her. “It can be a little complicated for some of the guys she wrestles,” Brooke’s dad, Mike, admits. “Some have been raised that they are not supposed to fight with girls, and under no circumstance are they to lose to a girl. But the thing about Brooke is that she’s very good … she’s ruined more than a few of her opponents’ weekends.” Those wins haven’t come easily—as Brooke points out, there are no exceptions for girls in wrestling and she has had to work as hard, if not harder, than everyone else on the team. Brooke hopes to continue her wrestling career on a woman’s squad at the collegiate level. True to form, she is not daunted by that upcoming challenge but instead pumped and prepared: “Wrestling has taught me through hard work and perseverance there are no limits!” By: Dana Nieters

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for

15-year-old rising sophomore Kaylee Christmas, dancing your heart out is more than a popular saying. “My favorite quote is, ‘If you dance with your heart, your body will follow,’” which comes from Emmy Award-winning contemporary choreographer Mia Michaels.

with Spirit of America Productions. “I had a blast,” Kaylee beams, “and I just loved walking down the streets of NYC in the parade and being able to dance in front of Macy’s on the famous green carpet.”

Like so many others, dance has become a form of expression for the Davidson teen. Kaylee has been competing in dance “Whenever I dance, all my worries go competitions for over six years. She is away,” she smiles. “I love moving around trained in ballet, contemporary, lyrical, and being challenged.” The A/B honor pointe, jazz, and tap. Kaylee has been roll student attends William A. Hough dancing with the Charlotte Youth Ballet High School where she is on the JV for five years and also performed in one of cheerleading team, and she was recently Charlotte Youth Ballet’s productions of chosen to model dancewear for Lebo’s Alice in Wonderland. Two of her dance dancewear catalog. routines qualified and won “Golden Tickets” to dance at the World Dance Early on in life, Kaylee had to overcome Championship where one of her routines a minor speech problem as well as a placed fifth in the world. Her success and slight learning disability. Despite her dedication have made her parents, Gary challenges, she stays upbeat in spirit and Lisa, very proud. and maintains a positive attitude. Her next big challenge is switching studios Of course, all the hard work has truly this summer so she can dance on a more paid off. Last summer, Kaylee was advanced level, but she will continue to selected to attend the Rockette Summer volunteer mentoring younger dancers. Intensive where she danced and trained Kaylee is considering the University of with the famous Radio City Rockettes Georgia for college—then performing as for a week. The young dancer was invited a Radio City Rockette for a few years. “I to train with the legendary dance group want to eventually open up my own dance in NYC after a video audition. This past studio,” she says, “where I can show the November, she returned to NYC again younger generation a passion for dance where she was honored to dance in the and continue a career in the sport that I 91st Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade love so much.”

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By: Antionette Kerr

amaGzI iR LnS !g

2018 LKN

mma Poulin, a rising eighth-grader from Mooresville Middle School, began karate classes a little over two years ago. “Originally, we enrolled her in karate so she could learn self-defense,” her mom, Karen, says. But early on, it was clear that Emma was going to excel in the sport. In her first year, she was named Dojo Competitor of the Year 2017 in Open Weapons. “I was nervous but won first place in every nunchuk event that day,” Emma recalls. As a first-year competitor, she competed in six tournaments last year, including the Grand Slam Open Nationals in Virginia where she won two silver medals and one bronze. Finding a love for karate and a natural ability, Emma pushed for more and paved her own way. “I teach weekly beginner, intermediate, and advanced self-defense classes and teambuilding workshops,” she smiles. Emma is the only certified instructor at her dojo under the age of 18. Her teambuilding workshops focus on positive sportsmanship and real team spirit rather than excelling at form and winning a prize. She was also selected for a special program at her dojo called CIT. “I learn how to break down forms, how to teach them, and how to run a karate dojo,” she explains. Emma was

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the only non-black belt student chosen to participate in the program. She is especially excited about being included because she aspires to earn her black belt and own her own karate dojo one day. Outside of karate, Emma likes music, riding her bike, drawing, and playing volleyball. She has three brothers, a sister, and a dog named Kane. “Emma is an amazing artist,” her mom shares. “She can look at something and create a beautiful drawing of it!” In addition to playing volleyball, she also hopes to learn how to jump hurdles for the track team at school. Her favorite subject is science. “I like science because I like to understand how the world works,” she says. Emma pushes her biggest obstacle to the side and continues to work hard. “I have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), which makes it hard for me to be able to do athletic things,” she describes. POTS causes Emma’s heartrate to rise and makes her feel like she’s going to faint. She has learned how to combat the symptoms and continue her training. Emma lives her own advice: “Don’t let people’s judgment affect you – do what you believe is right, and if you get knocked down, come back ten times harder.” By: Michelle Love

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ulia Knapp grew up watching football with her father, but she didn’t dream that she would one day be a kicker on one of the state’s top-ranked high school football teams. “I’ve been a Carolina Panthers fan for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always loved going to their games with my dad,” Julia recalls. “Watching from the sidelines and learning to love the game as a really young girl is what made me want to play football myself as I got older.” But like most girls, Julia’s football playing experiences were limited to pick up games in her neighborhood … until the summer of 2017. The rising senior at South Iredell High School was joking with friends when they decided to see how far a star soccer player could kick the football. They headed to a nearby field where Julia kicked the ball through the goalposts from different distances over and over again. A friend recorded the feats and when the video made it to the school’s football coach, well, the rest was made-for-TV history! Play like a girl? Heck yeah! “The whole idea of being the only girl on the football team was definitely a big obstacle for both me and for the people involved in the program,” she admits. “The coaches had to find extra locker rooms for me at away games and make sure I had a place to change at home. The boys on the team had to get used to there being a girl on the team, and I personally had to get over the idea of being different. I liked being on the team because when I was playing with that helmet on, I was just another football player, not ‘the girl football player.’”

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Despite the obvious challenges, Julia discovered a great amount of support. “My friends who came out to the games and cheered me on, my community that supported and respected me, my teammates who acknowledged my ability to compete on the field, and my parents, who I know will support me through anything and everything,” she offers. Graduating this month, Julia was involved in a variety of clubs at school and maintained excellent grades. She has also

become somewhat of a media darling and was able to add Homecoming Queen to her list of accomplishments before donning her cap and gown. Julia is off to UNC-Chapel Hill this fall where she is considering a degree in business administration. “Passion drives motivation and achievement,” she smiles, “and without it, success is unlikely. A strong work ethic also plays into success … because nothing in life is easy.”

By: Antionette Kerr

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Scene

BE SCENE LAKE NORMAN WOMAN

was very busy in March as editor Leslie Ogle and her niece, Grace Graham, assisted photographer Chelsea Bren with the AMAZING GIRLSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; PHOTOSHOOT at SPARE TIME HUNTERSVILLE. Much

fun was had by all eight of our 2018 LKN Amazing Girls as we enjoyed pizza, games, and modeling for the camera!

Scene photos

on our Facebook page at: Lake Norman Woman

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WITH

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calendar

5 THINGS AN LKN

OMAN SHOULD DO IN JUNE

Thursdays in June

LANGTREE LIVE CONCERT SERIES 7pm-9pm Langtree Lake Norman 401 Langtree Rd.

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

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WARRIOR DASH

8:30am Rural Hill Farm 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville

Saturday, June 2

The world’s largest obstacle race series, participants earn their warrior helmet by tackling a ﬁerce 3-4 mile course and 12 extreme obstacles. Post-race party with live music.

Saturday, June 2

TINKERFEST

9am-3pm Discovery Place Kids 105 Gilead Rd., Huntersville

REGGAE ON THE LAKE 6pm-9pm Lake Norman

Come tinker, create, and explore how things work at this free outdoor festival focused on getting girls and their families inspired about STEM.

4 Sunday, June 10

Saturday, June 16

Three-hour cruise on chartered yacht with nonstop music, hors d'oeuvres, & prizes. Tickets $50; Phone: 704.377.2782.

CORNELIUS FOOD TRUCK INVITATIONAL 12pm-8pm Oak Street Mill 19725 Oak St., Cornelius

Guests vote for their favorite food trucks to win the Critic’s Choice Award. Festivities also include local breweries, street vendors, indoor & outdoor seating, kids’ activities, and more.

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ever

the

N K L t s e t u c

PET

TO ENTER:

Go to www.lakenormanwoman.com, click on “Cutest Pet Contest” · Fill out submission form & upload your photo no later than July 13

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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)

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!

WINNER RECEIVES

A Pet Goodie Prize Bask et & gets their photo in the Septemb er issue of Lake Norman Woma n Magazine. WWW.LAKENORMANWOMAN.COM

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/LAKENORMANWOMAN

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D THE N O Y BE

E S ! U O M rida 5 Fun Things In Flo

Besides Mickey

SEAWORLD ORLANDO

Oh, that adorable Mouse in Orlando! Yes, Disney World and all the other Disney-related attractions are an absolute must; but there is still a lot of fun to be had after you’ve visited Mickey and the gang. Check out these other daytrips you’re sure to enjoy.

From up-close and personal encounters with dolphins, whales, and other marine life, to rides, shopping, and dining, SeaWorld Orlando has something for the whole family. There are even day camps for kids if you need a little break from the “what-are-we-doing-next” brigade!

DISCOVERY COVE

Here you can interact with bottlenose dolphins, feed tropical birds, observe a family of otters at play, or snorkel the saltwater reefs. Between adventures, there are plenty of options for food and drink.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

Tours originate from Orlando daily. Enjoy NASA’s launch headquarters and perhaps even see an actual launch! Explore the Rocket Garden, Apollo/Saturn V Center, and much more.

LEGOLAND® FLORIDA RESORT This family-fun escape is just 45 minutes from Orlando and includes an interactive, 150-acre theme park with more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions. There is also a water park and a botanical garden.

AIRBOAT TOUR

CRYSTAL RIVER MANATEE SNORKELING AND EVERGLADES

This wildlife adventure to the Crystal River and Homosassa River also offers daily departures from Orlando. First you’ll enjoy a 1.5-hour narrated boat cruise along the Crystal River, and then spend some time hanging out in a natural manatee habitat.

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COLLEGE PREPPING HOW I T ’ S L I K E M E A L P R E P P I N G & WHY I T W O R K S !

DON’T BE AFRAID OF CONVENIENCE.

I N T H E Q U E S T TO K E E P M Y WA I S T L I N E trim and fit, I have exhausted every tactic and technique possible. Anybody know what I’m talking about? Well, my latest attempt includes meal prepping, and I think this is going to work for me. It does involve a little thought, time, and preparation (hence the name), but the payoffs are great. I find that I have more time in the evenings with my girls and husband; I don’t have that sinking feeling in my stomach when the girls ask, “What’s for dinner?”; and I think I have just found my next investment platform in plastics! Would you believe me if I told you that prepping for college can provide you with the same peace of mind? It’s true! And I want to share three easy prep tips that can save your mind, your wallet, and your household. I used them on my now 20-year-old daughter and I can assure you it works—

START PLANNING EARLY! Nothing good happens when I find myself up against the clock at meal time because I didn’t go to the grocery store BEFORE 6 p.m. and the meal the girls (I have four) want takes at least an hour and a half to prepare. Prepping for college is the same way. To get the best results for what you want for your child’s college experience, you really need to start in middle school. YES, middle school. By starting early, your child has the time to explore numerous academic pursuits to get a perspective of their interests. It also allows for ample engagement in community service and civic opportunities they care about. Waiting until high school to plan adds unnecessary stress.

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✓

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE INGREDIENTS.

There is nothing worse than planning for a meal only to discover that you’re missing something. With college planning, you can be sure to have all the “ingredients” necessary for a painless process by creating a checklist. Do you know what high school classes are needed for college entrance? Have you prepared your child to take the SAT/ACT starting in the ninth grade? Have you encouraged your children to look at colleges and universities of interest online BEFORE 10th grade? Those are a few things that should be on your checklist as key ingredients.

By: Shawn A. Hall

Companies like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh are a godsend for busy moms who want to provide a great-tasting meal but don’t always have the time to prepare it from scratch. Similarly, if you don’t have the time to delve into college prepping, there are educational specialists, programs, and counselors that can help take the guesswork out of what needs to be done. Never lose sight of the goal: having a child fully prepared to enter college academically and financially prepared.

Shawn A. Hall is a former education specialist with the U.S. Department of Education. She is also the president and founder of All Roads Education—a boutique college admissions and scholarship consulting firm. She resides in Mooresville and can be reached via her website www.allroadseducation.com.

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where

NOW are they

Talented, personable, and ambitious, “Amazing Girls” featured in years past share how they’re making their mark on the world!

2 015

alexandria mills THEN Alexandria, with the help and support of her grandmothers, founded and operated Give Soap for Hope, a charitable organization that collected toiletries and basic essentials and distributed them to folks in the community in need of those items. At the time, she was a junior at Cannon School. NOW Alexandria is a rising sophomore at Penn State, where she is studying elementary and early childhood education. She is still operating Give Soap for Hope with the help of family and friends. Her philanthropic spirit shines on at college, too: she participated at Penn State’s THON, which raised over $10 million to help children with cancer; and she partnered with “Christmas Through a Child’s Eyes” to provide Christmas for children in our area that otherwise would not have had one.

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eileen jakeway THEN Eileen had just been awarded the Levine Scholarship to study at UNC-Charlotte. She was already ﬂuent in German and well on her way to being ﬂuent in French as well. A second runner-up in the Carolinas’ Carrousel competition, she planned to major in international studies and become a diplomat.

2016

NOW After graduating from UNC-Charlotte, Eileen was awarded an Ertegun Graduate Scholarship in the Humanities to study at the University of Oxford for a master’s degree in French and German literature. Still a lover of foreign languages, she is dabbling in Italian, Spanish, and Japanese, too, and traveling a great deal in Europe as part of her studies. This summer she will intern at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, hoping to eventually pursue a career in education or museum/cultural institutions.

lydia nusbaum THEN Lydia had just completed her freshman year at Lake Norman High School, ranking fourth in her class and achieving a multitude of academic honors. As a talented double bassist, she played in the Charlotte Youth Symphony Orchestra and attended the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in the summer. Her next goal was to get her driver’s license!

2013

NOW Lydia is a rising senior at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, and is a proud owner of a North Carolina driver’s license. Since being featured in LKNW, she played at Carnegie Hall with the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra, earned ﬁrst chair at North Carolina Eastern Regional Orchestra, joined the University of North Carolina Symphony, and is a National Merit Scholar candidate. This summer she will attend the prestigious Brevard Summer Music Festival.

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wher ARE THEY now? where� 2012

morgan richard THEN As a sophomore, Morgan had donated her hair once already to an organization that made wigs for chemotherapy patients. She decided to donate again, but this time she wanted to give more, which meant convincing her classmates to donate theirs, too. She organized a “hair” drive and by the end of her campaign, Morgan had collected over 155 feet of hair. NOW Morgan attended Furman University and graduated this May with a degree in health science and pre-med, a feat that she considers her greatest accomplishment. As a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, a Relay for Life member, an admissions ambassador, and a server at Bad Daddy’s in Mooresville, Morgan’s college days have been super busy. Her plans for postcollege include applying for PA school and donating her hair once more!

muskan uppal THEN Muskan was a rising sophomore and ranked fourth in North Carolina in her class in golf. She volunteered at and organized equipment drives for First Tee, an organization that provides educational programs through golf, as well as raised money to help junior golfers compete nationally. Originally from India, Muskan and her family were preparing to apply for U.S. citizenship the following summer. NOW Muskan is a rising senior and a U.S. citizen! She still ranks in the top five in North Carolina in her class in golf. Last year, she was named a USGA-AJGA Presidential Leadership Award finalist. In addition to volunteering this summer and playing in both junior and amateur tournaments, she is spending two weeks backpacking through Europe. She has verbally committed to the University of Richmond and hopes to fulfill her dream of one day playing professional golf.

2016

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amber colvin THEN A natural at go-cart racing at age 10, at age 16, NASCAR honored Amber with the Diversity Young Racer Award at the Daytona 500. She finished fifth in points at Charlotte’s Summer Shootout in 2011. Her father was her biggest fan and supporter, and together, they strove to overcome the challenge that nearly all novice racers face: sponsorships. NOW Amber would go on to win a round of the Summer Shootout, participate in the Stock Car Dream Challenge with Michael Waltrip, and just before retiring in 2015, score her first career Late Model victory. She graduated Summa Cum Lauda from UNC-Charlotte with a marketing analytics degree and currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where she works for Stanley Black & Decker. As for racing, she says it just wasn’t the same after her dad passed away in 2014.

alexis smith THEN A junior at Mooresville High School, Alexis was recovering from a serious car accident in which she was thrown out of the passenger window, suffering injuries that required months of physical therapy and subsequent medical procedures. Alexis was not about to let her injuries stand in her way, though; she continued to run track, acknowledging that just being able to run at all was a true gift. NOW Alexis recently enrolled in real-estate school and is eager to start her career as an agent. Traveling around the world is on her bucket list, which she will begin “ﬁlling up” this summer with a trip to Mexico. Alexis has not forgotten her accident and carries with her a life view that has much to do with that experience: “I believe everything happens for a reason … even if it isn’t what I planned. I’ve learn to trust the process.”

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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.

What does it mean to be an Amazing Girl/Woman? Just contemplating the question got my head spinning as I sat quietly and reflected on the recent signing of my divorce papers (after a long and emotional three-year separation process) and putting my home (the place I thought was the start of my dream life) on the market. With tears dripping down my cheeks, wondering if this was the right decision for me and my special-needs son, I thought, “I am still standing!” And perhaps that is amazing all by itself. Society tends to paint “amazing” as the picture of the star athlete or scholar or the beautiful celebrity. Maybe all of that is amazing, but you know what else is – YOU! The young girl finding courage to walk through those school doors after being made fun of, the new mom putting her tired feet on the floor and tackling another day, or the one going through a medical diagnosis or divorce – every single person is amazing.

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By: Kari McCormick

Now the question is, how do we feel amazing when our circumstances seem far less than that? That’s the tricky part. Have you ever had a bad day and told yourself, “Ok, I am going to stop thinking this thought that’s making me feel so bad”? You try to stop but it doesn’t work … the thought is like a broken record and just repeats itself over and over again. If any of this rings true for you, then know you’re not alone. The one thing life has taught me is how to get that record off repeat. First, we must allow for grace. What does that mean? If your thoughts are on a runaway train, sometimes you can’t get off. You just have to let it crash. Then once that’s over—be it three minutes, three hours, three days or, in my case, three years—you stand up amongst the rubble, dust yourself off, look around, and think: “I am here; I am still standing; I am amazing.” Next, get deliberate in your actions. Grab a piece of paper and a pencil and identify what things you like to do, what feels good when you do it, and, most importantly, what feels amazing when you just think about doing it. Let all of this be what you focus on. The more simple and general it is, the easier it will be to focus. The power happens when your thoughts generate a feeling of amazement way down deep in your belly.

I challenge everyone to take the next 30 days and be deliberate in feeling amazing. It’s my promise to you that if you will take the time to make that list and let it be the focus of your energy, the universe will begin to deliver a whole bunch of “amazingness” right to your doorstep. This experience will help you prove your worthiness, discover the power you hold inside, and finally realize how all those cracks you try to hide are actually what make you amazing. Kari McCormick resides in Huntersville and is a former educator. She is the owner of Bella K, a company that designs custom flip flops—including weddings, sports-themed, bandana styles, and more. She is also the founder of “Selfie Style” girl’s empowerment workshops. For more information on Kari’s products and/or workshops, visit www.bellakstyle.com.

BE amazing!

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