Spotlight: Mallory – Pageant, Sports & School
Teens today are involved in so many activities, and that is certainly true for Mallory, The Proof Photography Student of the Month! From academics to athletics, and a pretty prestigious pageant title, this girl embodies the qualities I look for in my Student Role Model team. Yes, she is beautiful on the outside, but more importantly, she is beautiful on the inside!
More Than a Pageant
When I asked Mallory what achievement she was most proud of, she didn’t say being Miss Gateway St. Louis’ Outstanding Teen (even though it’s true!). She didn’t say playing golf, basketball, or running track. She didn’t even say being in the gifted education class (PACE) at her school. Mallory said, “I am the most proud of being in the top 10 Miracle Makers for the Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen competition last year! I was able to raise nearly $2000 for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in my home state of Missouri!” Wow!
I continue to be inspired by this generation! I feel absolutely blessed that I get to photograph and interact with students who motivate ME to be a better person and contribute to my community! The Proof Photography Student Spotlight series is an opportunity for YOU to learn more about an amazing tween, teen or high school senior from Louisville and the surrounding region – every month!
I met Mallory during our “Strong is the New Pretty” photo shoot. I am a member of the Professional Photographers of America, and this photo shoot was part of their Super One Day Workshop series. Angela Seats and Julie Goins organized and hosted the shoot in Mt. Juliette, Tennessee, which is a short drive from Nashville. Julie brought her niece Mallory and Mallory’s best friend Maura to model for the shoot, which is how I came to meet them.
I am sure after reading some of Mallory’s accomplishments you will agree that she is deserving of the spotlight!
Mallory just started her freshman year at Palmyra High School. She plays golf, basketball, AND runs track!
Of course during our photo shoot, we had to highlight the fact that she plays multiple sports! We had so much fun photographing Mallory in her formal gown with both her track baton and her basketball!
Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant
Mallory is also still the holder of the title Miss Gateway St. Louis’ Outstanding Teen, and she was 2nd runner up to Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen this past June! Mallory’s title covers the St. Louis metro area. She has participated in a variety of service projects and appearances throughout her hometown and the state since crowned Fall 2018. Mallory is also a drummer, and she performed a drum solo for the talent portion of her pageant!
Five Fun Facts (and one Smart Cookie)
- Favorite food? Sugar Snap Peas
- Favorite Restaurant? Sprouts Inn in Quincy Illinois
- Favorite Store? I love shopping literally EVERYWHERE!!
- Favorite Music? Country Pop and Praise/Worship
- Favorite Subject? Algebra
Mallory told me that most people hate any sort of math class because it is “too hard”, but that’s what she loves about it! She loves being challenged and trying to push herself to the next level! That’s why her gifted education class (PACE) is by far her favorite part about school. She gets to do hands on learning, and multiple projects at one time. Most of the projects include some sort of STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics). Like she said, she loves a challenge!
Future plans
I asked Mallory what she planned to do after high school, and it sounds like she has already got her life all figured out! She said, “I hope to get a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, go to dental school, then complete orthodontic training, and finally I want to open my own practice as an orthodontist!” Impressive! I didn’t even figure out what I wanted to do in college until I was a college student!
Mallory’s favorite verse is “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.” – Esther 4:14. She certainly lived that out by making a quick decision to do another photo shoot with me after our class wrapped up. I asked her if she was happy with that decision, and she said, YES!
BFF photo session
You were so full of creative ideas and willing to go anywhere to get the perfect picture! It was very fun to be able to take pics with Maura and have a BFF photo session! The images turned out amazing, and I even used one for my pageant Christmas card! I am very happy with my experience and the outcome!
Mallory, Post-Session Survey
I really hope that I get another chance to work with Jill! You can tell that she truly has a passion for photography, and she makes photo shoots so fun and edits very quick!
Mallory, Post-Session Survey
I really hope that I get another chance to work with Mallory! We had so much fun and I hope to do it again someday soon! With her busy pageant schedule, I am sure it is such a treat to be able to take time out for herself and hang out with her friends. For me, the best part of working with a beginning high school student is that we can celebrate all the milestones and achievements along the way, instead of waiting until high school is just about over.
In this post I have mainly featured the images from the “Strong is the New Pretty” shoot. If you want to see some more images from Mallory’s BFF shoot, please check out the slideshow on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/RHbGGHOPrGM
BFF Photo Shoot - Down on the Farm
Please join me in congratulating Mallory, The Proof Photography Student of the Month for October 2019!
Jill Nissen is a full-service portrait photographer serving the teen, tween, high school senior, and family market in Louisville Kentucky, including Oldham County and Southern Indiana. The Student Spotlight is a monthly feature on The Proof Photography blog. If you know a student who deserves to be in the spotlight, I would love to hear from you!
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