Spotlight 2022: Whitney

Whitney, age 17

Tell us what you liked about 2021: I liked being able to have both some quarantine time (like online school) and outside time. 

What was hard about 2021: Having to apply for colleges and manage the end of junior year.

Some of your favorite memories from 2021: 

Going to Dollywood. 

Going to Oregon. 

      Going to Topsail for Spring Break. 

Seeing some beautiful sunsets at work. 

Going kayaking with the young women. 

Performing at the Music Academy of North Carolina (MANC) gala.

If you could sum up 2021 in one phrase, what would it be? Whirlwind.

Something you're good at: Drawing.

Something you're proud of: Getting a full tuition scholarship to Dixie.

Something you learned this past year: Frost tends to form on your car in the early mornings in the winter and it doesn't just magically go away.

Favorite recent reads: Michael Vey (all 7 of them), Legend, Prodigy, Tuck Everlasting. 

What did you earn, win, or accomplish this year?

 First Chair Soprano at Honors Chorus. 

Junior Major Scholar. I earned a Merit Scholarship from MANC. 

Any other changes or events from 2021? I cut my hair to be short. Went back to in-person school. I switched from traditional to digital art. I became a pet owner. (with Caroline's guinea pigs)

What do you like about being 17 years old? You have a lot of freedom. And people start taking you more seriously.

Who are your closest friends? Joya, Abigail, and Skylar.

What's a compliment you receive regularly? "I like your earrings!"

What can usually make you smile? Puppies in the drive thru. 

How would you describe your style? Lots of big sweaters and funky earrings. And anything else I like from the thrift store.

Nicknames: Whitster, Whit Whit, Dubs trubs, and Bean Bun

Follow-up from 2021 goals: 

Did you keep working? Yes

Did you get better grades than the previous year? No

Did you get some more commissions? Yes, I did get more commissions. And also got a real illustration gig.

Did you go on a date? No.

Something in 2022 that...

*you wish you were better at: Talking to people

*you wish you could buy: If I end up not taking the Corolla to Utah, I want to buy a car. Also maybe some cute art prints.

*you hope you can learn: How to live as an adult on your own.

*you are looking forward to: Starting college!

*Goals for 2022: 

Keep my grades up.

Make some new friends.

Work really hard.

Keep pursuing art.

Hobbies: Drawing, playing piano, playing video games (specifically Stardew Valley and MarioKart)

Something you like about school: I like learning and my friends.

Something you don't like about school: The teachers and online classes.

A job you might want when you're older: Dental Hygienist or Illustrator

A pet you wish your mom would let you have: A hairless cat

Things you collect: Bottles, keychains, and Chick-fil-a gift cards

What do you like to spend your money on? Earrings, art prints, stickers, and Ramune 

If you could have a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go? Paris

FAVORITES:

Restaurant: Toshi's Cafe. Chick-fil-A, and Poblano's

Sport: None

Book: Michael Vey

Candy or other treat: Dinner mints 

Color: Mint green

Movie: Dr. Strange

App: Instagram

Animal: Pheasants are the prettiest, but I also love guinea pigs

Snack: Popcorn

Shows: Makin It, WandaVision

YouTubers/Channels: Micarah Tewers  

Season: Fall

Meal: Tortilla Soup

Teacher: Mr. Small

Car: Lime Green Kia Soul

Song: "Misty" by Ella Fitzgerald, "In My Bones" by Jacob Collier, "Break My Heart" by Dua Lipa

Game:  One Night Ultimate Werewolf

RANDOM FACT: My vocal range is G3 to E6.

Spotlight 2022: Caroline

Caroline, age 13

Tell us what you liked about 2021: I started aerials. I got Bumble and Scoot, the loves of my life. Going to Dollywood was amazing. I got to serve in the YW class presidency and that was so much fun. 

What was hard about 2021:  School and finding something to do in my free time. Making friends. Managing my time.

If you could sum up 2021 in one phrase, what would it be? Long live Bumble and Scoot.

Favorite memories from 2021:  

Getting better at cooking. 

Cat sitting for some friends. 

Seeing family on the road trip. 

Going to Yellowstone. 

Sleeping in the van. 

Tide pool exploring at Olympic National Park. 

Visiting my absolute freaking favorite place in the world, Anacortes, WA. 

Going crabbing off the Oregon Coast. 

Getting my ears pierced. 

Getting Bumble and Scoot. 

Cosplaying as Faith for Halloween. 

Getting an Oculus. 

Starting aerial silks.

Something you're good at: Following recipes. Being bendy. Being obsessed with animals.

Something you're proud of: My grades this year.

Something you learned this past year: Always make sure that the keys work if you're trying to get into someone's house to care for their animals.

Favorite recent reads: Scritch Scratch, The first three books of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Cinder, Scarlet, Heartless, The Thickety

What did you earn, win, or accomplish this year? "A" honor roll for the whole year

What do you like about being 13 years old? My parents let me start watching scary movies like Poltergeist, The Quiet Place, Woman in Black, The Sixth Sense.

Who are your closest friends? Piper, Caroline W, KK, Jazmin, Lucky

What is a compliment you receive regularly? You've got pretty eyes or you've got nice lashes.

What can usually make you smile? Cats (specifically hairless), guinea pigs, dogs, hedgehogs, ferrets... any animal, really.

How would you describe your style? I just wear what I want to: flannels, skinny jeans, hoodies, earrings, cool socks

Nicknames: Bear, Care Bear, Caroline McSweetie Sweats, Buildy

Follow-up on goals for 2021: 

Did you buy a computer? I did! I bought a gaming laptop from my brother for $400, but my parents paid half of it. I bought a nice monitor, an LED keyboard, a silent click mouse, a mouse pad, and a cooling pad.

Something in 2022 that...

*you wish you were better at: talking to people

*you wish you could buy: a cat or a dog

*you hope you can learn: how to do more drops on open silks

*you are looking forward to: going to dances at church and school

*Goals for 2022: Learn a drop on open silks. Get Minecraft again. Go on a fun road trip. Get into Penn-Griffin or NCLA

Hobbies: Cooking, aerial silks, playing with guinea pigs, singing and listening to music, reading, talking to/hanging out with friends

Something you like about school: Bestie Porter

Caroline, Lucky, and Ms. "Bestie" Porter

Something you don't like about school: Reading, Math, PE, the people, the teachers, the school system... everything about it

A job you might want when you're older: Physical Therapist's Assistant, Graphic Designer, Professional Van-lifer, Doing something in a National Park, Doing something in the animal rescue area, Teacher

A pet you wish your mom would let you have: Hairless cat, cat, dog, ferret, hedgehog, bird, rabbit, otter, fox

Things you collect: Weird earrings, guinea pigs

What do you like to spend your money on? Food, make-up/skin care, things for my guinea pigs, jewelry

What are your favorite ways to spend your free time? Playing with my guinea pigs, texting people, and Pinterest

If you could have a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go? Anacortes, WA

FAVORITES:

Restaurant: Toshi's

Sport: Aerial arts

Book: Divergent

Candy or other treat: Kit Kat

Color: Purple, light blue, sage green, and black

Movie:  Quiet Place and Encanto

App: Pinterest

Animal: See previous question about pets

Snack: Cheez-its and Goldfish

Shows: Survivor, Amazing Race, Jeopardy, Random Acts

YouTubers/Channels: Micarah Tewers, Mr. Beast, Tubbo, Ramboo

Season: Fall

Meal: Fried rice

Teacher: Bestie Porter

Car: Yellow Jeep Wrangler

Phrases to say: "Get it, bestie!" "Get Bingused."

Song: "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" by Tame Impala, "Misty" by Ella Fitzgerald, and "Kiwi" by Harry Styles

Game: Mirror's Edge

RANDOM FACT:   My friend, Piper, went to a Harry Styles concert.

What the rest of December Looked Like

 We're going in reverse order again! :)

Happy New Year!

Marianne, Patrick and Eden spent New Year's Eve

with us. We had SUCH a great time.

I love having them on this coast!

They put Eden to bed before midnight, but the rest

of us stayed up to welcome in the new year.

We found out on Jan 1, that Drew had COVID.

Boo.

Luckily, none of the rest of us got it.

These party poppers were fun.

We spent some time at the Science Center.

I love that place and don't get to go much anymore.

They've expanded since last time we were there.

They have an Okapi!

But we could only see its hind legs when we walked by.

They also have pygmy hippos that are so cute.

And the flamingos are gorgeous.

Care Bear and Eden

This is a fun new play area that Eden enjoyed.

GIANT blue bear

Care Bear and Eden petting a hog.

I ran into one of my English students while we were there!

I think that's the first time I've seen one outside of school.

That was fun.

We also spent an evening together at Carowinds.

More fun Christmas decor!

They have a parade, but we decided we'd rather

ride a coaster than wait for it.

Andrew rode the scrambler with me.

That ride CRACKS ME UP.

I can't stop laughing on it.

I also talked him into riding the carousel with me.

All four of us LOVE the After Burn.

Such a fun coaster.

I think this is the first time I've seen someone rejected

from a ride for being TOO TALL. Boo.

We got to ride to the top of an observation tower.

Cool views from up there.

Winter Wonderland

So fun!

While we were in Charlotte,

our family made a visit to TopGolf.

It had been a long time since we'd been there.

Caroline wasn't a fan.

The rest of us had a great time.

Andrew's so good.

Even though he only golfs once a year.

Whitney was good, too, and had fun.

I was just OK, but thoroughly enjoy it.

On one of the Wednesdays of Christmas break,

I talked Andrew into taking me to Dave and Busters.

They changed their Space Invaders game a couple

years ago so we can't win the bonus anymore. but we still

like playing. We did AWESOME on this game and took

the two top spots.

When the game is designed without the bonus,

you get three lives and can go through multiple stages.

We made it past Stage 32, which is the farthest we've

ever gotten. Often it's more like 18-20 stages and we die.

Another fun Christmas puzzle.

Whitney and I got the best Christmas gift from

Yoanh, a sister we minister to.

She owns a nail salon and gave us gift certificates

for mani-pedis! Yes!

Caroline wanted to join the party,

so all three of us spent an afternoon

in Lexington getting our nails done.

Whitney's not allowed to have her fingernails

painted at work, so she just got a pedi,

but C and I got both done. Loved it.

Spoiled!

I also took the girls to the candy shop in 

Lexington that is SO cute and yummy.

I had the best 100-pin bowling game EVER!

We're having fun getting to know Bumble and Scoot 

and playing with them on the landing outside my room.

We like to feed them fresh veggies.

Caroline bought them some gifts.

This little gingerbread house is adorable.

Amy and Dave's family gave us

a GORGEOUS Lego set for Christmas.

It's a bouquet.

So pretty!

The girls and I had fun putting it together.

Andrew and I are doing another parks scavenger hunt.

We've had some BEAUTIFUL weather to be outside.

Can't believe it's December.

No jackets!

Christmas Sunday

I organized a women's ensemble to sing

"What Child is This?"

Both girls sang, along with several friends from church.

I got to accompany them.

LOVED it.

Real Christmas!

Whit loves crazy earrings and got these paper clip ones.

Bingus mug and lobster socks from Grandma Sweat

Soap-making kit

The Lego set in the box

I got Andrew a BORT license plate.

Hilarious.

Christmas Eve

Care Bear is learning some contortionist-

type tricks at aerial silks.

Jumping pics! My fave!

Such a fun one.

We probably should've taken these

while B was here!

Have a Holly Dolly Christmas. :)

Sister gifts

We got official news that B got his scholarship back.

Yippee! He'll be going back to school in the fall.

So happy for him!

More scavenger hunting

Christmas goodies!

We delivered a bunch,

but also had plenty left over for ourselves.

That was a lot of baking!

We trimmed our list down of who we can deliver goodies to. But it still took over two and a half hours and we drove 55 miles. And it was all within our ward boundaries!

Love this time of year. I'm so happy we had time with family and friends. And also lots of time to just relax and be together.