Lake Norman Woman Magazine June 2021

celebrate Do You Have the Cutest Pet

ever?

ENTER OUR 2021 CONTEST! pg. 28

your

unique story pg. 26

girls

go!

ON THE

pg. 16

1a0mazing ! s l r i g n k l th

annual

featuring

MADISON DABNEY & 6 OTHER LOCAL GIRLS DOING AMAZING THINGS

v o l u m e

x i v

,

n u m b e r

FIND US ON

x i

WOMEN power

FROM THE

IN MY YOUTH, I THOUGHT LIFE WOULD BEGIN WHEN I HIT SWEET 16.

I considered that the pinnacle of the teenage years—a highpoint of my adolescence that would consist of a driver’s license, football games, parties, and boys.

Sixteen didn’t turn out to be the year-long fiesta I expected though because being a teenager is more difficult than it appears. Those rapidly changing minds and bodies have a way of hampering the fun that’s expected to accompany the driver’s licenses, the football games, the parties, and the boys.

Not only do they endure raging hormones, teens have to deal with the stigma of just being teens. Sure, they tend to throw forethought out the window and take a lot of risks. And yea, they’re inclined to believe they know far more than any authority figure on any subject. They get themselves into a pickle or two because of those traits—at least I know I did. My dad used the phrase “young and dumb” quite frequently to describe me as a teen. It was a justifiable characterization—I’m just thankful my juvenile blunders still replay over and over inside my own head only and not on YouTube for the entire planet to view. Teens have a bad rap when it comes to love, too.

Jumping wholeheartedly into relationships with little regard for prudence or caution, their romances can seem reckless and foolish. Just ask my mother… for every time the teenage me announced I was “head over heels,” her only response was “You’re too young to know what love is.”

But I’ve discovered that 55 has a way of forgetting what 16 is really like, and admittedly, from my “vantage” point of age and experience, I too can be quick to judge today’s teenagers for being “young and dumb” or foolish in love. And like the older generations of the past, I tend to believe that if teens would just follow the advice and example of those who came before them, they wouldn’t have to bumble their way through so much of their adolescence.

What I’ve forgotten is how those years are marked by a great deal of beauty, too. In no other phase of life are we more free to go with our gut, to take risks, to bare our soul, and to love with reckless abandon. Sure, most would agree that teenagers don’t know what love is. But then again, most want to feel like a teenager when they fall in love. You know that feeling I mean…that one that re-energizes us; that one that we can’t guard our heart from; that one that isn’t based on logic, but simply feels right; that one that is natural, and fierce, and uncomplicated.

I can’t deny that there’s a reasonableness that comes with age. But what if instead of always proceeding with calculated caution, we channel the teenager that’s still in us and go with our gut more often, take more risks, bare our souls, and love with reckless abandon? I decided to do just that recently when a man came into my life who makes me feel like a teenager again. As it turns out, feeling young and dumb and in love is actually the wisest, most commonsensical thing I’ve ever done. w

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L AK ENORMAN

DANA JORDAN

LAURA ADAMS

J UNE CONTRI B UTO RS

Lynn Claunch; Dr. Michael Foran; Michelle Hoverson; Jaeda Lahnee; Michelle Love; Lindsay Martell; Nahi Nadra; Dr. Wissam Nadra; Dr. Nicole Whitehead

www.LakeNormanWoman.com

704.895.6168

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Guiding You From Pain to Peace, From Sadness to Love Loss comes in many forms. It may be the loss of a job, a relationship or changes in health or retirement or transition of a loved-one from this life to the next. Please allow yourself to grieve in YOUR way and time. Let me guide you through the process to change your despair into hope.

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W W W. A B I D I N G G R A C E L L C . C O M

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CELEBRATING THE

SUCCESS

OF

WOMEN Delaina Yancey, featured in 2017, & today!

june

contents amazing LKN girls 2021

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32

MADISON REID

36

PARKER PAINTER

34

MCKENZIE COX

38

SABRINA LAYMAN

35

MADISON DABNEY

40

REGAN & TIERAN SULLIVAN

where are they now?

pg

42

CATCHING UP WITH PAST AMAZING LKN GIRLS!

community

self

14

22

Ready For Wheels?

26

MENTORING MOMENTS WITH MICHELLE:

8 THINGS:

8 Ways To Support Small Businesses

family 12

Are Standardized Tests REALLY Optional?

46

SOUL SISTERS: LKNW'S DANA & LESLIE'S 40 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP

DIVERSIFY.EDUCATE. CONNECT:

A Column By Jaeda Lahnee

food 58

50

pg

Celebrate Your Unique Story

Healthy Zucchini Bread

56 62

health 24

This Too Shall Pass

48

Natural Tips For Healthy, Comfortable Travel

54

Getting At The Heart Of Oral Surgery

TIPS, TRICKS, & HACKS:

Teen Edition!

in every issue

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT:

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YO U N

ON THE COVER: AMAZING LKN GIRL, MADISON DABNEY P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y: CHELSEA BREN

WORDS MATTER

girls on the go

The Importance Of Self-Love

G ENTREPRENEU

16

pg

Featuring Esther Knorpp & her friendship bracelets

RS OF LKN

MEET THE FUTURE (& CURRENT!) MOGULS OF LKN

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FAMILY

Are Standardized Tests REALLY Optional?

“This is a test.

This is only a test.”

The Emergency Broadcast System proclaimed these words to prepare U.S. citizens to act swiftly in the event of a national disaster. The same refrain could also be used with standardized testing.

While the words SAT and ACT have caused many brave students to shudder in fear, it is important to remember they are only tests, and not true emergencies.

“Should I still test?”

My response to this question is a resounding, “Yes!” Consider the SAT and ACT like a fan’s chance to take a half-court shot during a basketball intermission to win a car. The ball may go in, so take the shot. Worst case, don’t submit your scores to universities. Best case, you win a scholarship or gain college admittance.

What do the terms “test optional” and “test blind” mean?

A test-optional school doesn’t require submission of test scores for admission. However, an extra essay may be needed, and the remaining sections of the application will be more closely scrutinized. Furthermore, students can still submit SAT/ ACT scores to a test-optional school; they are merely not required. For the Class of 2025 at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), an Ivy League school in Philadelphia, 74 percent of the admitted, regular-decision candidates submitted test scores – despite the test-optional policy.

Additionally, many schoolspecific scholarships still require scores, even if the college is test

Since 2011, when I assisted with my first college application, I’ve been asked countless questions. In the last year, I am most queried about standardized testing and the complexity created

by COVID. My clients wonder whether taking the SAT and ACT is still worthwhile. They are confused by concepts like test optional, test blind, and superscoring.

Finally, I am asked about test timing and study strategies.

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JUNE 2021

"When should I test?" Plan to take the SAT and ACT in spring of your junior year. Retake whichever has the higher score to allow for superscoring – a combination of the higher score from each test section across different testing dates. Visit KhanAcademy.org for a free, online SAT study tool that tailors your test prep based upon questions missed in the PSAT (taken in October of your junior year). ACT.org also has free, online practice questions. The best preparation is to create a simulated, timed, testing environment at your home. The old adage “Practice makes perfect” may be an overstatement; however, practicing will raise your scores and perhaps open the door to your dream university. w

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optional. According to Daniel Perez, a college admissions officer at Penn, AP scores can play a larger role in the admissions decision when ACT and SAT scores are withheld.

While test scores are not without issues and controversy, they do provide a metric to compare students’ knowledge base across different high schools.

Test-blind colleges don’t require test scores; in fact, the school won’t even consider submitted scores! Visit fairtest.org for a list of nearly 1400 accredited, fouryear colleges that are currently not requiring test scores for college admittance.

LKN EXPERT

Lynn Claunch is the Director of College & Career Counseling at Lake Norman Christian School and has successfully coached numerous families through the college admission process. You can reach Lynn at 704.987.9811 or plan a visit today at www.LKNC.org. You can also contact Lynn via her consulting company, School Bridge Coaching, at www.schoolbridge.org.

WRITER LYNN CLAUNCH

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COMMUNITY

8things

Commit to doing one thing for a favorite small business each week.

Order take-out from mom-and-pops.

Buy now for later … it helps their cash flow!

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SUP PORT s.

Buy their gift card

small

businesses Attend their online classes and events.

Write online reviews.

Share their posts on social media and write favorable comments.

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Tip generously.

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YO U N

girls on the go

G ENTREPRENEU

RS OF LKN

Today’s youth seem to have qualities

that are often absent in even the most mature adults … and they are putting these talents to good use as America sees a noticeable increase in teen

entrepreneurships. These young ladies

keep honor-roll grades, give back to their

communities in various ways, and manage to run a business as well. The Lake

Norman area is flooded with talented

young people, and we are pleased we could feature a few in this issue:

Carly Correll, a sophomore at North Lincoln High

School in Denver, started crocheting when she was 6 years old.

When she was 8, she found more time to crochet when her brother, BJ, was diagnosed with leukemia. Carly spent a lot of her time in the hospital with her brother and happily sold her crocheted items to the nursing staff and other family members.

CarlyAnnaCrafts was born. When her brother passed away, Carly found that crocheting helped focus her attention and even relieved some stress. Carly is president of her sophomore class, leads the youth division of the Stand Firm Warrior Foundation, and is a member of the varsity track & field team where she excels at discus and shot put. Carly plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy after high school.

You can find her Etsy shop at CarlyAnnaCrafts.com.

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Laylah Hunt, also known as The Little Beekeeper, is the youngest certified

beekeeper in North Carolina at just 14 years old. Laylah and her mom and dad (Cynthia and Johnnie) together run their business selling honey and elderberry syrup. A few years ago, Laylah’s mom 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 bees. Laylah and her father then went on to complete the class becoming certified beekeepers. When she isn’t donning her bee suit and taking care of the hives, Laylah likes to spend time with her friends. Beyond her beekeeping and honey business, 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 smiles.

Learn more about Laylah and her products at www.thelittlebeekeeper.com.

Esther Knorpp,18, is one of nine children; she has traveled the country in an RV with her family; she speaks Mandarin and English and is learning ASL; she is an aspiring hairstylist who is saving money for cosmetology school this fall; she has a dream of advocating for adopted children; she wakes up every weekday extra early to attend a (now virtual) morning Christian devotional class … and, oh yeah, did I mention she started her own business?! In an effort to raise money for girls’ camp, she and her sister, Pearl (14), decided to make and sell friendship bracelets … and things, well, just took off for the sisters! “We’ve had this business for about a year now,” Esther says. “We’ve had it long enough that running it feels natural, and we have learned so much about things like advertising, websites, social media marketing … it’s nice to have, especially since we’re just doing what we enjoy and getting paid for it!”

For your Knorpp Friendship Bracelet, visit: Knorppandsouth. com/friendshipbracelets; @esther.friendshipbracelets; @esthair_knorpp; Knorppfriendshipbracelets@gmail.com.

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YO U N

girls on the go

G ENTREPRENEU

RS OF LKN

Camryn Wilson is a 22-year-old singer/songwriter from Belmont. When she was younger, she suffered from APD (auditory processing disorder) which made school very difficult, challenging, and exhausting. It also pushed her towards music as an outlet. “I still and always will have ADP (and dyslexia and dysgraphia),” she says, “but I have learned to cope. I am finally confident enough to spread awareness, and I would love to help others (mainly children) with APD so they can see that it does not define them.” Camryn is excited to have released her newest single “LA Baby,” which was preceded by “Glimpse,” her debut EP. Having opened for acts such as Shenandoah and Lorrie Morgan, Camryn has also performed at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte and the Charlotte Motor Speedway. She has been a featured performer for the Novant Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Wheeling Festival of Lights Parade where she sang her original song, “It’s Christmas on Her Own Float.”

All of Camryn’s music can be found on major streaming and downloading platforms and at www.camrynwilsonmusic.com.

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Mila Becker, 15, has always loved dogs, and

she was on a mission to get her parents to PLEASE let her adopt a furry friend. When she was in the fourth grade her mom and dad finally said “Yes” and Mila became a proud furbaby mama with Mabel, a miniature schnauzer. Mila loved taking photos of Mabel and eventually won first place in a photography contest at school. She later started an Instagram account @mabel_the_miniature_schnauzer and began photographing other dogs. She experimented with making digital images of Mabel, and then friends started asking her to make a digital image of their pets.

She decided to create @officialpetportraits and offer a service for creating digital pet portraits. Mila has learned a lot about marketing and communications, social media, and photography along the way and just recently started @dailydoggogram, which features a photo of a different dog each day.

Emily Vesely, 14, is a See Her Lead leader-extraordinaire in the Davidson group. See Her Lead is an organization for middle and high school girls, and its mission is to inspire and teach young women to be successful leaders in school and in their community. “I am very involved with this group and love it deeply,” Emily says. “And it is through See Her Lead that I created a business with five other girls called Celebration Suppliers— which sells party kits that can be sent to you or someone who might be in the hospital, for example, and needs a little cheering up without all the stress of getting the supplies.” As if her involvement in See Her Lead, school, and running her business wasn’t enough, Emily is involved with dance at Grand Central Academy and stays busy with other philanthropic projects as well.

Get in touch with Celebration Suppliers @emi_vesely20 on Instagram.

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SELF

Ready for

wheels?

A few car-buying tips for 2021

BUYING A CAR IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING,

confusing, intimidating purchases we can make, and it seems the rules to the game are always changing. A purchase of this magnitude can be especially confusing and challenging if this is your first time buying a car. After a visit to www.consumerreports.org, we found a few helpful tips:

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Don’t fall in love with a certain model. Focus instead on thoroughly researching a vehicle’s ratings, reviews, reliability, safety, and pricing information. Kelley Blue Book is one of the most common resources at www.kbb.com.

Don’t skip the test drive. You should drive the car for at least 30 minutes to conduct a thorough test.

Negotiate up from what the dealership paid for the vehicle. But the dealer invoice price is not their true cost. A simple online search will show you what the dealer actually paid.

Don’t focus on the monthly payment.

Salespeople tend to “bait the hook” with what you can pay each month, but it is a slippery slope of being manipulated with numbers and you end up overpaying.

Settle on the vehicle’s price first, then discuss a tradein, financing, or leasing; and don’t bring up your desire to lease until after you’ve agreed on the price.

Shop for financing terms at different financial institutions and get prequalified for an auto loan before you go to the dealership. Check interest rates at banks, credit unions, or online financial sites to see which offers you the best rate. If the dealer can offer you better, great!

Research safety features. Antilock brake systems, electronic stability control, and head-protecting side air bags, for example, are effective and well worth the money. w

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HEALTH

Live and enjoy each moment! There are so many good people and great things around us that at times we take for granted … take time to be grateful on purpose!

1 4

this too SHALL PASS

Take time to rest. Resting is underrated yet one of the most essential things we can do for good mental and physical health.

Practice doing nothing for 15 to 30 minutes a day to rejuvenate your body and your mind.

As we continue to reel and recover from the craziness of the Covid storm, we need to look towards a new dawn. We have all been challenged in unprecedented ways and we mustn’t forget to nurture ourselves.

Below are a few reminders that I know will be helpful for all:

Move! Movement increases your metabolism and keeps you young and vital.

10 JUNE 2021

Think positively. When we think in a positive manner, we encourage “feel good” hormones such as enkephalins and endorphins to flood our bodies—providing us with a sense of happiness, achievement, and relief.

6

7

24

3

Enjoy Nature.

Two words: Lake Norman.

5 Establish a daily routine for eating, working, sleeping, and fun. Yes, schedule at least one fun activity per day!

2

Surprise yourself and pick up a new hobby.

Adopt a new cause that will enrich yourself and others—volunteer for a charity or even start a new one in your area. w

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8 Strive to make every day a great day.

LKN EXPERT

9

Spoil your body, mind, and spirit from time to time. If you can’t love yourself, you can’t love others.

Wissam E. Nadra, MD, MHA, FAAP, AIHM, is the president and clinical director at Lakeshore Pediatric Center in Denver. He is a board-certified pediatrician and is also certified in integrative medicine. For more information, visit www. lakeshorepediatric.com or call 704.489.8401.

WRITER DR. WISSAM NADRA

SELF

mentoring

moments with M I C H E L L E

your

celebrate unique story T H E C O U R A G E , C O M PA S S I O N , A N D C O M M I T M E N T to make a difference that

So, how do we avoid the painful results of comparing ourselves to others?

It’s natural to read about the amazing accomplishments of others and compare our story to theirs. Noticing other’s achievements can motivate us to set a higher goal, hone a skill, or imagine a larger dream. On the other hand, sometimes comparing ourselves to others leaves us feeling inadequate and thinking we’ll never be enough.

You are writing your own unique story, chapter by chapter. There was a time when I found myself overwhelmed and discouraged because I had been comparing myself to another non-profit leader’s successes and impact. Fortunately, I was blessed with an “ah ha” moment when it dawned on me, I was comparing my chapter 2 to their chapter 22. I was just starting out of the dock and they were well into the ocean with the wind in their sails. We can learn from other’s actions, grow from their counsel, and emulate their success, but we shouldn’t compare our story to theirs. Neither should they compare their story to ours. Neither is a valid comparison.

are unveiled in the featured stories of these young women inspires me. If the young women profiled in this issue of Lake Norman Woman are tomorrow’s leaders, we can look to the future with positive expectations.

Recently I was recalling a time, before COVID, when I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook posts. Somehow, I began thinking “everyone is taking great vacations except me and everyone’s kids, but mine, are either magnificent students or athletes?” Oh, how quickly we can step into the comparison trap! Within minutes, I was feeling completely unaccomplished and boring.

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Michelle Hoverson is the author of Mentoring Moments with Myself – a collection of letters to her younger self on life, faith, love and leadership. Follow her on facebook @ Mentoring Moments With Michelle.

John Lee Dumas is an award-winning host of “Entrepreneurs on Fire,” a daily podcast with over one million listens per month. Dumas has a front-row view of the comparison trap as his listeners respond to the inspiring interviews with successful entrepreneurs. He commented, “We live in a world where everyone is sharing one perfect second of their imperfect day, and we’re interpreting that perfect second as a life of perfection. However, the reality is much different. They are living a life of quiet desperation like the rest of us.”

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Compare Yourself with Yourself.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, ask yourself: Am I proud of where I am today compared with where I was a month ago or a year ago? Am I accomplishing what’s most important? Am I being true to who God created me to be? Am I making decisions in line with my values? If an answer is “no” do an audit of why and make some changes. If an answer is “yes,” give yourself a handclap and keep moving forward.

Comparing ourselves to others can, at times, be healthy, however, most of the time comparison will steal our hope and rob us of joy. Celebrate other’s stories while you live out your own unique story… chapter by chapter. w WRITER MICHELLE HOVERSON

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do you

cutest PET ever?!

HAVE THE Barkley

Buddha

Bella

Goldie

Bodie Blaze

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

Enter them in our annual Pet Contest and make your cutie a star!

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

Laci

Layla&&upload Lillie your · Fill out submission form

photo no later than July 13

Mia

· All photos should be in color & in focus. · Voting Period is July 16-22 on Facebook (details to follow)

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g n i z a m a LKN girls 2021

Each year when Lake Norman Woman Magazine begins our search for Amazing Girls, it becomes apparent our future is in good hands.

With undaunted courage and enthusiasm, these young women endure, adapt, and innovate—they dig a little deeper and climb a little higher, showing us all what success looks like. We had an impressive (and lengthy!) list of entries this year but could only highlight a few. We hope you enjoy our 2021 Amazing Girls Edition.

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2 0 2 1

A M A Z I N G

L K N

G I R L

madisonREID

Thanks Dad

My dad signed me up for Muay Thai when I was 10. I was skeptical at first, but after a month or two I fell in love with it and had one goal in mind: to become a full-contact kickboxer. I’m proud of how far I’ve come in just three years. I’ve competed in ten PKB semicontact tournaments, with my first sanctioned, full-contact fight last February. I’m undefeated in all. That makes me proud. But it hasn’t been easy. I did not realize all the training, cardio, and hard work I would need to put in before I could even step into the ring. It was very challenging and tiring, but I worked through it and told myself it’s just what I had to do to keep going.

Life’s Difficult Questions

Who has inspired me? Umm…that’s a hard one. A bunch of people have inspired me! For one, I’m inspired by those who live in poverty—one of my goals and something I’m determined to accomplish is helping those less fortunate. I’m also inspired by younger children; I simply love being around babies and kids. In fact, I plan to become a pediatrician one day. And then there’s my trainers. They really inspire me to do my best and they’ve helped me get to where I am in Muay Thai.

Madison, 1 … Banana Tree, O

In October of 2020, I was selected to represent Lake Norman Muay Thai and follow the old Muay Thai tradition of kicking down a fully grown banana tree. Ancient Muay Thai fighters would kick the banana trees until the plant material fell apart and they would then use the fallen pieces as pads. This event was televised by Fox 46. It was a very fun experience and though it wasn’t the most comfortable thing to do it also wasn’t the hardest thing. I gave it all my force and got it down in no time.

8th risin g a s i d l n Re i c hoo dl e S a diso d t. i M s i M t d l ar ar-o l svi l l e ar ti a m 13-ye a t Moore g in er er d - c o m l l e wi t h h g ra d p-an i u v s . n e s a Moor an d ib lin g es in g er s v n i l u e o Sh nd y nts a p a re

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Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

The pandemic has held lots of lessons, but mostly over the last year and a half I’ve learned that this world is crazy and that I need to be safe and not be going around doing things I’m not supposed to!

A Name By Any Other Name Madison has earned a host of nicknames during her training.

Among them are “The Mad Maiden of Mooresville,” the “Beat Down Barbie,” the “Lassie of Lacerations,” the ‘Honey of Havoc,” the “Daughter of Destruction,” the “Boss of Chaos,” the “Bradley School Bruiser,” the “Prima Donna of Pain,” the “Pugilist Princess,” and Madison “Mayhem” Reid.

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A M A Z I N G

L K N

m kenzie C

Reflections = Growth

The pandemic taught me the value of reflection. Being at home and having ample time to reflect on tasks and activities brought me a lot of clarity, and it is something that I still use to make the best possible decisions. The time at home with my family actually helped me become more independent, which is a great skill to have before college.

G I R L

COX

On Being a Mini Marie (Kondo)

Organization is key in all aspects of my life.

Calendars and daily to-do lists are some of my favorite ways to manage responsibilities. I can’t take all of the credit, because I have an amazing support system that helps me when I need it!

Sparking Joy, One Activity at a Time

I am currently serving as Miss Statesville’s Outstanding Teen, which is a local title within the Miss America Organization.

Additionally, I serve on the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte Teen Volunteer Board.

In school, I am part of Key Club, Pride Singers, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Teaching Tolerance, and Beta Club. I am most proud of receiving the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service. I am honored to be part of a group that is recognized for service in North Carolina. Being a part of these organizations brings great joy to my life!

Embracing the Sweetness of Life

Close family and friends, reading, hot tea, warm hugs, and meaningful conversations are some of my favorite things in life! And dark chocolate.

Miss Statesville’s Outstanding Teen McKenzie Cox, 17, is a rising senior at Pine Lake Preparatory. Dual-enrolled at Mitchell Community College, McKenzie lives with her parents in Concord.

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Inspiration Begins At Home

My grandmother inspires me every day. She is a retired teacher who helped me build my love of learning, and she is a big reason why I started my nonprofit organization.

I am also the President and Founder of ROAD Reading Opens All Doors 501(c)(3), which collects and redistributes books in creative ways as a step towards ending illiteracy.

Buh-Bye, Shy

Although you likely wouldn’t believe it now, I used to be extremely shy and anxious. In recent years, I have learned that the only way to be more comfortable is to do things that make me uncomfortable.

This taught me about a strength that I didn’t know I had and the resiliency that we possess as young women.

Wisdom to Share

I would tell all of the little girls out there to find the things that make her smile and chase them. They can be experiences, people, or just daily occurrences. Recognizing these things puts everything into perspective and shows you who you truly are. With that knowledge, the world is your oyster!

WRITER LINDSAY MARTELL

2 0 2 1

A M A Z I N G

L K N

G I R L

madison Let Them Lead

DABNEY

2020 was a year that took the nation by storm. The circumstances behind the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor sparked a fire inside of young black Americans, leading us to question the society in which we exist….As a black American woman, I was forced to relive the trauma of my ancestors, causing me to question how far we have really come as a nation and what I could do to impact change.

You can’t buy happiness.

But you can buy fabric, and that’s pretty close.

I‘ve been the costume manager and head seamstress for our technical theater team for the past four years. Under the leadership of our theater director, Mr. Cody Willets, I research the play, the time period, the themes, and any additional information my director requests.

I then use the information I gather to create costume designs, which we later finalize and turn into physical products.

Give Yourself A Hug

If I could tell my younger self, or someone like me, some advice, it would be simply: “Don’t compromise.” It is easy for young girls, especially girls of color, to feel out of place and feel as though they need to hide themselves in order to fit in.

I wish someone would’ve told me that earlier as it would’ve helped my feelings of imposter syndrome. When I began embracing who I am, I was able to start making an impact in my community and doing things I’m passionate about.

18-year-old Madison Dabney is a senior at Lake Norman Charter High School.

She is the leader of the Student Diversity & Inclusion Council as well as an entrepreneur and a talented seamstress.

Roar and Let Roar

At the start of the pandemic many social justice issues came to the forefront and were escalated when people felt their voices were not being heard. But I believe the key to a truly inclusive student body in academia and in society in general is to have open and honest dialogues, even when it comes to difficult topics and situations. In other words, communication is key. Even though there is a lot of passion behind people's point of views on some of the more sensitive issues, there has to be mutual respect as well as open minds.

Singing Her Praises.

As it turns out, in addition to being a rock star when it comes to costume development, Madison is also quite humble. Here’s what her English teacher, Melissa Smith, has to say about her contributions to the theater team: “Madison’s relentless creativity and dedication can be seen by the mind-blowing pieces she sews and brings to life. Madison is the first to arrive to rehearsal and the last to leave and has dedicated more hours than anyone else in perfecting her craft.”

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parker

L K N

PAINTER

G I R L

Giving Back

The Stand Firm Warrior Foundation is very special to me, and I have been a volunteer for the last five years. The foundation was started in memory of a dear family friend who lost his battle with leukemia days after his 15th birthday. His sister and I have been friends since elementary school.

We help to promote childhood cancer awareness to communities and assist families of patients battling cancer.

Ready for Action

Family Focus

I have been an athletic trainer for wrestling and football for North Lincoln High School for the last three years. Being a trainer requires you to be present at practices, prior to games to assist with tapings and therapy for players, and of course all games. I am OSHAcertified and also have my firstaid and CPR certifications.

I am 17 and the youngest of three. I have an older sister and brother … a nephew, a niece, and two dogs! My mom has taught me to be brave, strong, and fearless. My dad has inspired me by showing us all (through his own example) how to be and DO anything you set your mind to.

Stay Busy, Have Fun

The best way I have found to tackle my busy life is to constantly plan ahead. Between school, work, firefighter training, and family it often becomes crazy. My day-planner has become a dear friend. It’s also important to have some fun and free-time so I enjoy fishing, hunting, and four-wheeling … I’m a very outdoorsy kind of person. I love to get down-and-dirty and just have fun while I do it.

Rising to the Occasion

Teachable Moments

Some of the biggest lessons that I have learned through the pandemic include being able to keep up and adapt to the constant change and restrictions. It played a tremendous part in knowing all the dangers and constant risk with being a firefighter and also helped with my landscaping business. It taught me to not only be aware of my surroundings, but how my actions can affect or hurt someone else.

Two things I am most proud of is my ability to handle and remain calm and collected in highstress situations, and being the youngest female in my firehouse. I have been accepted by the other firefighters and they have been very encouraging with my career choice. I am able to put emotions aside and complete the job or task at hand with care and professionalism.

Wise Words

Many of the obstacles and challenges I have been through have had to do with loved ones or close family friends passing. I learned at a very young age to cherish every moment you have with your family because you never know what tomorrow brings. I try to live life to the fullest and to take chances … you can achieve anything that you set your mind to, so don’t be afraid to listen to your gut.

Firefighter Parker Painter, 17, is the youngest of three and lives with her mom, dad, and brother Wyatt in Denver.

Parker is a rising senior at North Lincoln High School.

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HAPPINESS IS

Knowing that you’ve found your place.

Life in the Key of Beautiful® at Cadence Huntersville

ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE Call to schedule a tour (704) 464-3193 • CadenceHuntersville.com 250 Commerce Center Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078 Cadence Living® operates by state and local health guidelines.

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Sabrina LAYMAN

G I R L

Introductions

I will be 17 at the end of June and completed my sophomore year last month.

I was born in Charlotte, and I have lived in the LKN area since I was born. I have a brother named Bryce (age 14) and a cat named Flapjack (age 10).

She’s humble, so allow us to brag a bit.

When she says “Busy,” this girl’s not kidding!

Her film, “Not Far From My Heart,” was an official selection in six film festivals and won an award. “I was so excited and glad that people connected with something that was important to me,” she smiles. “I felt supported and was honored to be selected to be a part of these wonderful film festivals.” Sabrina is perhaps most proud, however, of the television series she wrote when she was in middle school, “Hyper Piper and the Adventures on I.V.I.” She later filmed it, and it is now available on Amazon Prime. “I just completed writing Episode 3 and hope to film it later this year.”

I am a part of the Student Council Board as Secretary; the National Honor Society; Varsity Cross Country; and I am currently trying out for the track team. I am a Committee Leader for the Community Service Committee at school, and we are focusing on starting a canned food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank. I have been a Sea Turtle Volunteer Intern with the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization, a volunteer usher with the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, and I am a volunteer filmmaker for the Triple Threat Basketball organization.

I am currently working on my role as “Brina” in the sci-fi feature film, “Isolatum,” and I’m in post-production of the short film, “Beach Fog.” I participated in the “Made in the Carolinas” film festival and the “All American Film Festival” for the past two years with my short films.

Sabrina Layman, 16, is a filmmaker, producer, director, and actress who lives with her parents and younger brother, Bryce, in Huntersville. She is a rising junior at Corvian Community High School.

What does the future hold?

Acting for film and television along with film production are the areas that I would like to continue to pursue. UCLA is my top choice right now because it is one of the top film programs in the country … and since it’s in Los Angeles, I can be in the mecca of acting and film production.

Wise advice from a young soul.

People don’t always support what you do so you have to have faith in yourself and your talents; believe in yourself; and continue doing it because it is a part of who you are. You have to create time for your creativity and learning your craft, never give up … be confident.

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How did the pandemic help you grow and become more mature?

It helped me discover new interests and fun things to do. It’s important to adapt and be open to new experiences.

For instance, when the theatre was unavailable, I invested my time in creating short films and tried a new sport, cross country, which I now love!

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A M A Z I N G

L K N

REGAN and TIERAN

sullivan

What is this amazing project you’ve been working on for girls in the Sudan?

After meeting with the Water for South Sudan (WFSS) in middle school, we had an idea to promote a girls hygiene program. During the summer, we sewed reusable feminine hygiene kits, including pads and panties. The kits also include soap and wash cloths. Not only do the kits provide a more sanitary product for these young girls, it allows them to stay in school when they would otherwise have to stay at home. We also provide education to women about their menstrual cycles.

Regan and Tieran Sullivan make reusable feminine hygiene kits for women in Africa, among many other philanthropic endeavors. Regan, 18, just graduated from Pine Lake Preparatory and Tieran, 16, is a rising senior. The sisters reside in Davidson with their parents.

G I R L

What other volunteer activities are you involved in?

We both volunteer for Serenity House, which is a local hospice house; and Feed NC, where we help restock and organize food donations on Mondays.

How are you two different?

REGAN: We are 14 months apart and have a lot in common, like our love of competitive swimming and other watersports, but we have our own path in life.

As an Auburn University freshman in the fall, I plan to major in biomedical sciences and minor in Spanish. My ultimate goal is to attend medical school and become an obstetrics/gynecologist. One of my favorite things to do is musical theatre. I love to sing!

TIERAN: Another way we are different is that I love art and creating realism pieces.

Art allows my mind to take a break. When I am creating a piece of art, the only thing that occupies my mind is where the next line will go on the paper. I plan on attending UNC-Chapel Hill where I want to study biology or animal sciences and ultimately become a veterinarian.

Who inspires you to be the best you can be?

TIERAN: My mom has inspired me the most. She is incredibly selfless and puts her family and community first. She is beautiful, strong, and brave. She has conquered every obstacle that life has thrown at her and inspires me every day with her determination. She has encouraged me to become an active member of my community and pursue my goals.

REGAN: My mama! My mom is my rock and has most definitely made me who I am. I have learned so much from her. She has always taught me to be proud of who I am. I am a strong, independent woman today because I learned from watching my mom. She can do anything, and I learned from her that I can, too.

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WRITER MICHELLE LOVE

where are they now?

Each year we ask for Amazing Girls nominations and each year we are more impressed than the year before! As we introduce a new group of remarkable young women in this issue, we wondered here at our 10th Annual Amazing Girls Edition, “Where are they now?” We know you’ll be as delighted as we were to know that these young women from previous years are achieving, and excelling, their goals and dreams.

sharonda adams 2017 Then: 17-year-old Sharonda, who had faced homelessness, was planning to attend Vanderbilt University and pursue a degree in international studies.

Now: Sharonda graduated Cum Laude from Vanderbilt with a Bachelor of Arts degree in law, history, and society. She also graduated with a minor in Latino/Latina studies and plans to attend law school to study human rights and education law.

mackenzie maddox girls on the go, 2017 Then: A high school senior, Mackenzie dreamt of a career in medicine, founding a chapter of Health Occupation Students of America and volunteering in health-related organizations.

Now: Mackenzie graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a major in psychology and minors in neuroscience and religious studies. She plans to complete a master’s in physiology before applying to medical school.

“The most important work you’ll ever do will be within the walls of your own home.” - Harold B. Lee AMANDA GLOWACKI OWNER / NC REALTOR ® 704-962-7889 amanda@amandakatehome.com

@amandakatehome

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DISCOVER home.

UNLOCK happy.

kailyn sutton 2016 Then: Kailyn Sutton, a high school sophomore, had endured scoliosis surgery the previous fall yet competed in a major dance competition just three months later.

She also initiated a walkathon to raise awareness and financial support for scoliosis patients.

delaina yancey 2017

>>

more

Now: Studying at Spelman College, Kailyn is still dancing! She plans to become a sports psychologist after graduation.

Then: A high school sophomore, DeLaina had completed 8 of the 20 hours of flying lessons required to obtain her pilot’s license.

julia knapp 2018

Now: This summer, 20-year-old DeLaina will teach aviation, space, and robotics at the Space and Rocket Center in Alabama. She plans to pursue a career in aerospace or aviation.

Now: Julia is now 21, attends UNCChapel Hill, and plans to graduate a semester early with a sports administration major and a conflict management minor.

Then: Julia was a kicker on top-ranked South Iredell High School’s football team.

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where are they now? amelia guerrero girls on the go, 2018

Then: A rising senior at South Iredell High School, Amelia was an extremely active student leader with many achievements and accolades under her belt.

Now: Today, Amelia is a rising junior at High Point University majoring in strategic communications with a minor in marketing. She plans to pursue a career as a marketing manager.

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mallorie haines 2018 Then: Despite a nearly devastating injury to her foot, Mallorie was a rising star in women’s high school basketball.

Now: Mallorie is playing Division 1 basketball for Davidson College on a full scholarship … way to go Mallorie!

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SELF

diversify. educate. connect.

A NEW COLUMN BY JAEDA LAHNEE

Avery Schaefer- 14, Briana Higgins-13, Sydney Shryock- 16, Mariama Hunt- 14, Hailey Hardey-14, Emma Furches- 14, Alex Smith-12, Bella Feltman15, Bella Valensisi-12, Zimba- Higgins-13, 12, Chapel SimpsonNatalia Carbajal-12, Taylor Brantley13, Ava Hardey-14, Smuckler- 12,Emma Alyssa StepanekAvery Schaefer-Fallon 14, Briana Sydney10, Shryock16, Mariama Hunt14, Hailey Furches-15 14, Alex Smith-12, Bella Feltman-

15, Bella Valensisi-12, Fallon Zimba- 12, Chapel Simpson- 10, Natalia Carbajal-12, Taylor Brantley- 13, Ava Smuckler- 12, Alyssa Stepanek- 15

ABSOLUTE STRENGTH, ABSOLUTE STRENGTH, STRENGTH, ELIGHTENMENT, & #TakeTheDeduction ABSOLUTE STRENGTH, ELIGHTENMENT, & TOGETHERNESS #TakeTheDeductionENLIGHTENMENT,

Avery Schaefer- 14, Briana Higgins-13, Sydney Shryock- 16, Mariama Hunt- 14, Hailey Hardey-14, Emma Furches- 14, Alex Smith-12, Bella Feltman-

15, Bella Valensisi-12, Fallon Zimba- 12, Chapel Simpson- 10, Natalia Carbajal-12, Taylor Brantley- 13, Ava Smuckler- 12, Alyssa Stepanek- 15 #TakeTheDeduction

TOGETHERNESS& & ELIGHTENMENT, TOGETHERNESS

Under the leadership and influence of Samatha Beach (director & coach), an elite team of gymnasts started a petition to USA Gymnastics to change the current women's Code of Points number 12 chapter 1 Under the of leadership and influence of section 1.

The Code Points states that there is aof .20Samatha deductionBeach (director & from the average score for the following infraction:started Incorrectaattire. coach), an elite team of gymnasts petition to USA Gymnastics R E C E N T LY, A N E L I T E T E A M O F YO U N G GY M N A S T S (under the

TOGETHERNESS

to change the current Code of Points number 12&chapter 1 Under the leadership and women's influence of Samatha Beach (director

leadership ofCode Samantha Beach) to change Often times young females start their cycle a to USA coach), andirection elite ofcoach gymnasts started a during petition Gymnastics ofifand section 1. team The ofmenstrual Points states thatstarted there isa apetition .20 deduction competition they are required toof compete in aUSA leotard that covers(Number only the current women's Code Points in Gymnastics 12, Chapter to from change the currentscore women's Code of Pointsinfraction: number 12 chapter 1 the average for the following Incorrect attire.

213/4 inches of 1). theThe mostCode sacredofarea of their body, wear full-length of Section Points states that there is a .20 deduction from the of section 1.

The Code of Points states that there is a .20 deduction paints, or take a .20 deduction. Contraility competing male athletes average score for the following infraction: Incorrect attire.

Oftentimes, if young from the average score for the following infraction: Incorrect attire. times if young females start their menstrual cycle during a are allowedOften to wear shorts.

females start their menstrual during competition, they are required competition they arecycle required to acompete in a leotard that coversto only compete in a leotard that covers only 2 3/4 inches of the most sacred area of Often times if young females start their menstrual cycle during a During the 2 second meet ofofthe season, girls unexpectedly 3/4 inches the mosttwo sacred area of theirstarted body, wear full-length competition they are required compete in a leotard that coversathletes only their cycle.

One for the first time theirmenstrual body, wear full-length pants, ortotake aever. .20Embarrassed, deduction.

Competing male paints, or takethem a .20 deduction.

Contraility competing male uncomfortable, disappointed, and shorts. without suffered .20 full-length 2 are 3/4 inches of to thewear most sacredoptions area ofthey their body, awear athletes allowed arewearing allowed to wearmatching shorts. shorts on top of their deduction for form-fitted paints, or take a .20 deduction.

Contraility competing male athletes Setting the the example encouraging Setting the example bywho encouraging leotards (incorrect attire). generations of girls follow to emerge wearofshorts.

Duringare theallowed secondto meet the season, two girls unexpectedly started generations of the girls who follow Setting the example encouraging During the second meet of the season, two girls unexpectedly started from adversity and breakthrough the molds their menstrual cycle … one of them for the first time ever. Embarrassed, generations of girlsAllen who -follow to emerge from adversity and of society (Preslie 6). to emerge Enlightenedtheir and empowered by theirOne teammate's resilience andtime ever. Embarrassed, menstrual cycle. them for thegirls first isbreakthrough a well-respected During the second meet of the season, two unexpectedly started from adversity the molds uncomfortable, and without options they suffered a .20 deduction breakthrough the and molds of society tenacity.

These girlsdisappointed, elect to #TakeTheDeduction!

They intentionally millennial uncomfortable, disappointed, and without optionsEmbarrassed, they suffered a .20 of society (Preslie Allen - 6). their menstrual cycle.

One them for the first time for wearing form-fitted matching shorts onleotards top of their leotards (“incorrect attire”).

(Preslie Allen - 6). entrepreneur, wear form-fitted matching shorts on top of their duringever. deduction fordisappointed, wearing form-fitted matching shorts on top of their uncomfortable, without they suffered a .20 creative director, competition to raise awareness and take aand stand againstoptions women's birth worker, healer, leotards (incorrect attire). deduction for wearing form-fitted matching shorts on top of their gender inequality and the objectification of female athletes & Enlightened and empowered by their teammates’ resilience and tenacity, these & yogi. Follow her on leotards (incorrect attire).

Instagram performers.

The#TakeTheDeduction! petition is hosted on Change.org so far over 24,000 girls elect to They intentionally wear form-fitted matching @JaedaLahnee people signed in support of theduring change.competition and empowered by their teammate's resilience and shortshave onEnlightened top of their leotards to raise awareness and take is a well-respected is a well-respected Enlightened and empowered by #TakeTheDeduction! their teammate's resilience tenacity.

These girls electinequality to Theyand intentionally millennial a stand against women's gender and the objectification of female is a well-respected millennial I am inspired by the power andelect dedication of the athletes coaches tenacity.

These girls to #TakeTheDeduction!

Theyleotards intentionally entrepreneur, wear form-fitted matching shorts on topand of their during millennial athletes and performers. who make up the team. I too was a gymnast/female athlete.

I take my during entrepreneur, creative director, entrepreneur, wear form-fitted matching shorts on top of their leotards competition to raise awareness and take a stand against women's practice every week. I am also grateful I get to watch the birth worker, healer, niece to competition director, creativecreative director, to raise awareness and take a stand against women's gender inequality and objectification ofbold, female athletes & The petition hosted on Change.org.

Thus far, more than 24,000 people have birth worker, healer, & yogi.

Follow her on teams evolve.

I is smile, knowing that mythe niece has such bright, and birth worker, gender inequality and the objectification ofChange.org female athletes & over 24,000 &Instagram yogi. Follow her on creative performers.

The petition is hosted on so far to look up signedgirls in support ofto. the change. I am inspired by the power and dedication of healer,Instagram and yogi. performers.

Thesigned petitioninissupport hosted on Change.org so far over 24,000 @JaedaLahnee people have ofthe theteam. change. these athletes and coaches who make up I too was a gymnast/female people have signed in support of the change.

Follow @JaedaLahnee her on athlete, and I now take my niece to practice every week. I am grateful I get to Instagram @ I am inspired by the power and dedication of the and coaches watch the evolve. that my hasathletes such bold, I amteams inspired by theI smile, power knowing and dedication of niece the athletes andbright, coaches JaedaLahnee. who make the w I too was a gymnast/female athlete. I take my and creative girls to up look upteam. to. who make up the team.

I too was a gymnast/female athlete. I take my niece to practice every week. am also grateful I get to watch niece to practice every week.

I amIalso grateful I get to watch the the teams evolve.

I smile, knowing my niece has bright, such bright, bold, and teams evolve.

I smile, knowing that that my niece has such bold, and creative girls to look up to. creative girls to look up to.

Setting the the example encouraging generations of girls who follow to emerge from adversity and breakthrough the molds of society (Preslie Allen - 6).

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WRITER JAEDA LAHNEE

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HEALTH

Natural Tips for Healthy, Comfortable Travel S U M M E R T I M E I S U P O N U S A N D V A C AT I O N C A L L S ! We are all long overdue for that perfect summer vacation, but sometimes injuries or pain during travel can cast a shadow over your sunny day. Over the years, I have built a list of natural items and remedies that are must-haves when I travel. With that in mind, here are a few travel tips for your next adventure:

I love to pack a product that can multi-task. People rarely forget sunscreen, but they often neglect to bring aloe vera to soothe any burns. Many folks don’t know that aloe also coats and heals the digestive system, so if you pack aloe vera juice instead of topical aloe gel, you can wipe it on sunburns and you can drink it to soothe indigestion and upset stomach.

LKN EXPERT

Dr. Nicole Whitehead works with OB/GYNS, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, childbirth educators, and pediatricians in the community to keep mothers and children healthy. She is equal opportunity and cares for other members of the family too! She is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

Dr. Nicole and her team can be reached at 704.663.5142 or via their website at www.advancedspinalfitness.net.

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If you have a little spare room in your luggage, pack a small pillow.

Beds and sleeping arrangements on vacation often leave much to be desired.

A small pillow can be tucked under your knees, between your knees, under your neck, or under your chin (while side sleeping) to help accommodate for a bad mattress.

It can also be helpful during a long drive to and from vacation as a lumbar support or a headrest while catching a nap.

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Kinesiotape goes with me on any adventure, even a day trip. A few strips of kinesiotape are light, compact, and can literally save a trip if someone gets an unexpected injury. If a fellow traveler tweaks an ankle, knee, back, shoulder (or whatever!) and it’s not bad enough for an ER visit, it can still be enough to put a damper on a vacation. Put some kinesiotape over the injured area to bring down swelling, stabilize the muscle response, and help distract the brain from noticing the pain. It doesn’t have to be fancy or perfectly applied to really provide some relief. Kinesiotape can even decrease the ache of growing pains at night for kiddos!

If you are planning on a lot of athletic activity during your summer adventure, plan to eat pineapple or bring a supplement that contains bromelain. Bromelain is helpful in clearing lactic acid build-up from the muscles after activity.

This will ease your muscle soreness faster and you can keep playing hard day after day. Hiking, body surfing, golf, tennis – bring it on! w

WRITER NICOLE WHITEHEAD, DC, CACCP

FEATURE

soulsisters

A Soul Sister is someone you can talk to about EVERYTHING! You reminisce, learn, dance,

soul

sisters

THIS MONTH, LKNW CELEBRATES OUR OWN SOUL SISTERS DANA JORDAN & LESLIE OGLE

sing, complain,

NINETEEN-EIGHTY SOMETHING ….

I was just entering high school and had not lived in Hickory long; we had just moved from Knoxville over the summer. While I knew who Dana was, it was not until a tragic event (the loss of a dear friend in a car crash) that our lives would become inextricably connected. As an identical twin, Dana gained two Besties that year … time would change nothing.

celebrate, play, cry, and dream.

Brought together by fate and kept together by love, Soul Sisters are forever yin and yang … from the very first breath to the very last, they have each other’s back.

ALOHA!

It was the spring of 1983 and through a mutual friend Dana and I were invited to go to Hawaii!

Having barely traveled outside the southeastern United States (and the first time on an airplane!), we packed our bags and headed for the adventure of a lifetime.

Sunset sails, luaus, and barefoot cruises … we had indeed found paradise!

Do you and your BFF want to be featured in an upcoming edition of LKNW Soul Sisters? Email Leslie@lakenormanwoman.com.

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GOOD DAYS & BAD DAYS & GOING HALF-MAD DAYS.

To say we have been there for one another through thick and thin would be an understatement! I have an identical twin but I have another sister in Dana … we have been through births, deaths, divorces, successes, and struggles galore, but one thing remains constant and true and that is our bond of sisterhood—40 years later and we still have each other’s back!

A FORTUITOUS DEGREE IN JOURNALISM.

After earning my undergraduate and master’s degree in journalism/public relations, I worked for some ad agencies and did a lot of freelance writing; soon I found myself submitting articles to Dana’s magazine, Lake Norman Woman … and the rest, as they say, is history.

I am grateful beyond measure that our lives and careers intertwined; we make a great team in life and work. Cheers to another 40 years! w

MOVE BETTER, FEEL BETTER, DONE .

N OT YO U R AVE RAGE P I L AT ES ST UDI O. Beyond Pilates, we have specialized training to help those with back issues, back surgery, scoliosis, osteoporosis/osteopenia. The more adventurous could take advantage of Yoga Trapeze®, or flexibility and mobility training utilizing Gravity Yoga®. The Alexander Technique can address posture, movement, and habit for total body immersion learning.

COME DISCOVER US! Take advantage of our 30-minute complimentary consultation which includes a postural analysis.

704-966-1232 7919 Natalie Commons Drive, Denver W W W. A N AT O M Y W I S E . C O M

Pilates and Movement Center

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HEALTH

getting at the heart of

oral surgery

Q

A SPECIAL EDITION Q&A

Q

WHAT IS AN ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty of dentistry that is recognized by the American Dental Association.

To become an oral surgeon, one must first complete dental school. After graduation, the dentist must then complete an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency. This residency lasts four to seven years, depending on the program, and is the longest residency of any of the dental specialties.

Q

ARE ALL ORAL SURGEONS BOARD CERTIFIED?

No. After completing residency, oral surgeons are encouraged to become board certified; and this is a twoyear process that involves passing a written qualification exam, followed by a rigorous oral examination. Not all oral surgeons complete this process. Board certification is important because, without it, many hospitals will not allow an oral surgeon to operate in their facility. Having surgical and admitting privileges to a hospital gives an oral surgeon access to other medical professionals and equipment that are not available in the private office setting. Board certification is also required to be a member of OMSNIC, the largest insurer of oral surgeons.

Q

WHAT IS SEDATION DENTISTRY?

Any dentist in any specialty may attend short courses after graduation to receive a certificate to perform some level of sedation in their office. Oral surgeons spend four to five intense months as an anesthesia resident in a hospital setting and generally carry the more complex certifications of deep sedation and general anesthesia. They must also be certified in advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS), and their offices must have crash carts that contain the same life-saving drugs and equipment that are used in emergency rooms and trauma bays.

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Q

WHAT DO ORAL SURGEONS DO?

Oral surgeons are devoted to performing surgery on the head and neck area of a person. Much of this surgery is in the oral cavity. Oral surgeons specialize in the extraction of third molars (wisdom teeth) as well as infected and nonfixable teeth, and even healthy teeth that require removal for orthodontics and braces. But oral surgery is not just limited to the removal of teeth. Oral surgeons are heavily involved in the management of trauma to the face. They perform simple procedures such as fixing a small fracture of the jaw, to complete reconstruction of complex facial injuries.

Additionally, these physicians manage simple to complex dental infections. Much of this management involves removal of the infection source as well as cleaning the deep areas of the head and neck to remove the extensions of the infection. Oral surgeons remove both benign and malignant lesions of the head and neck area and can provide moderate and deep sedation in their office as well as general anesthesia in some cases.

DENTAL IMPLANTS SEEM TO BE PREVALENT IN DENTISTRY TODAY. ARE ORAL SURGEONS CONSIDERED IMPLANTOLOGISTS?

Q

No, the terms implantology and implantologist can be very deceiving and are marketing terms that anyone can use. The American Dental Association does not recognize implantology as a specialty; subsequently there is no such person as an implantologist. Preparing the mouth and the bone for dental implants and the placement of the implant itself is a large part of our training and specialty. Many oral surgeons have advanced imaging equipment that they utilize for implant planning and precise surgical placement. w LKN EXPERT

Dr. Michael Foran is a board-certified surgeon with Carolina Oral and Facial Surgery located at 19910 North Cove Road in Cornelius. You may contact them at 704.892.1198 or visit www.carolinaoms.com.

WRITER DR. MICHAEL FORAN

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SELF

We know how busy life can get—kids, work, family, friends … sometimes just getting dinner on the table is a Herculean feat! So in an effort to save our readers some time, effort, and money here are a few tips, tricks, and hacks that might come in handy in your busy world!

RING-AROUNDTHE-RING!

If your rings turn your fingers green, put some clear nail polish on the inside of the ring.

TIPS, & HACKS

PRESSED FOR TIME? You can use your hair straightener to iron a collar, hem, sleeve, cuff, etc.

TE EN ED IT IO N !

IF THE SHOE FITS.

Shower caps are great for packing shoes; use hangers to organize your boots.

EASY COOKIES FOR YOUR NEXT SLEEPOVER.

Add 2 eggs and half-cup oil to any box cake mix, roll the batter into small balls and press slightly to flatten into cookies, bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

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UGH, NOT ANOTHER ZIT!

If you put a dab of Listerine on a pimple, it will dry it out and cause it to fade.

Also, you can put honey on a pimple and cover with a bandaid and it will be significantly smaller by morning.

FOOD

INGREDIENTS

Healthy Zucchini Bread T H I S S W E E T, S P I C E D B R E A D M AY

taste indulgent, but it’s packed with healthy ingredients and there are only 150 calories in an average slice of zucchini bread. Not only is zucchini a great source of vitamins and potassium, but applesauce makes this bread moist and helps sweeten the loaf so you don’t need much sugar (and there is no white sugar in this recipe, bonus!) Plus, healthy whole wheat flour kicks off the recipe—

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L AK ENORMAN

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour 2 eggs

1/2 cup applesauce

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup zucchini, grated and squeezed dry (you can use up to 1 1/2 cups) 1/2 cup light brown sugar (or maple syrup; it has fewer calories and provides extra antioxidants) 1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 cup vegetable oil or olive oil TO MAKE

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and spray a 9x5 loaf pan with baking spray. Whisk together the oil, brown sugar, eggs, applesauce, vanilla, and zucchini until well combined. Sift together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.

Whisk together the flour mixture into the wet mixture until just combined. Pour into loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes. w

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WORDS

Every teenager in the world feels like that, feels broken or out of place, different somehow, royalty mistakenly born into a family of peasants.

matter

Words are magic.

– CASSANDRA CLARE

One of the lessons that I grew up with was

They actually change our brain chemistry!

As wordsmiths

always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody says distract you from your goals.

here at LKNW, we are especially fond of words that will resonate with our readers, in hopes they will help guide & inspire you.

" "

I can’t think

of any better

representation of

BEAUTY than someone

– MICHELLE OBAMA

who is unafraid to be herself.

“I love being a parent of a teenager …

I mean, yes, there’s the hormones, the skin problems, the bad hair days, the crying, the mood swings. But enough about me. My kids are great!”

– UNKNOWN

Always be a first-rate

version of yourself

instead of a second-rate

version of somebody else.

- JUDY GARLAND

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Why fit in when you were born to stand out.

- DR. SEUSS

– EMMA STONE

BETTER ME … BETTER YOU … BETTER WORLD

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.

THE IMPORTANCE OF

SELF-LOVE A L A R G E PA R T O F R E A C H I N G A D U LT H O O D

that no one really warns you about is “hookup culture.” In today’s society, relationships are more casual. However, these relationships can be difficult to navigate because the term “hookup” itself is so vague. I was curious about how my peers in college felt about “hookup culture,” so I conducted a poll on my Instagram story (what better way is there to reach the youth?).

Some people expressed that they use hookup culture as a means to experiment or find temporary self-validation. Numerous individuals replied with questions such as, “What is the definition of a hookup?” and a lot of people wrote about how frustrating it is to date as a young adult when hookup culture has been so normalized. One person remarked that hookup culture is only effective when you are grounded as a person. That comment left me pondering, how does one become grounded? How can you invest in another person if you aren’t already invested in yourself ?

A way to check in on yourself is to practice selflove. What is self-love? Self-love is being able to reflect and ensure that your physical and mental states are balanced. Everyone needs to invest in their wellbeing. Oftentimes, we get so caught up in pleasing others that we aren’t looking out for ourselves along the way. Some ways to practice self-love can be as simple as listening to your favorite music, picking out clothes that amplify your confidence, or treating yourself to nutritious food.

Another great way to practice self-love is by journaling daily. Make a plan to set aside time every day, or once a week, to journal. Write down five good things that happened that day or week and then write five things you love about yourself. Read over your lists when you are done and read over past entries before you begin new ones.

If you are a young adult and worried about hookup culture, just know that everyone else is just as confused as you are. Don’t be afraid to talk about how you feel with others, and make sure that you are taking care of yourself for YOU and not to please others. Practice self-love! w

Nahi Nadra, 20, is a Denver resident and a junior at Davidson College pursuing a pre-medicine track as a biology major. In addition to her heavy course load, she is a leader of the Catholic Campus Ministry, Co-President of the Middle Eastern North African Student Association (MENASA), and works as a biology lab assistant.

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WRITER NAHI NADRA

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