On the Cover
By Kyleen, age 16, Arizona
My name is Kyleen. I was born in California in 1993, but currently live in Arizona. I have two families that I love very much. There's my mom, step-dad, and younger brother Mason. Then I have my dad, step-mom, older sister Ashley, older brothers Devin, Erik, and Collin, and younger brother Kadin. In any free time I have I love to go swimming, play soccer, or just be outdoors. I love to go horseback riding whenever I get the chance. Since I was about 4 or 5 I have been in tae-kwon-do karate, learning self-defense. About 2 years ago I received my black belt after 9 years of complete dedication to the sport. Tae-kwon-do has taught me a lot about respect, determination, and discipline. At my school I love to be as involved as possible. Currently I am a member of the National Honor Society. This gives me a chance, not only for college help, but to volunteer more time to my school and community. I am a Christian, and have been raised as one my whole life. I also am a pecto vegetarian (which means for meats I only eat chicken and turkey).
I am a humongous Twilight saga fan. I saw Twilight the first day it came out, and I got the DVD the first day it was released. I have read all four of the books at least 10 times each, if not more. I enjoy reading, period, but these books are my top four. I also have recently started reading The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith. I have finished the first two books, and hope to read the last two. I found a lot of similarities between them and the Twilight saga - maybe that's why I enjoyed them so much. I also have a liking for the Harry Potter series. Again, I have read all those too.
I love romance movies! My top three would be Twilight, The Notebook, and A Walk To Remember. They are all such sweet movies. My favorite music genre would have to be country. I grew up with it, and continue to still love it today. Taylor Swift songs have helped me through break-ups and friend troubles. Rascal Flatts also has quite a few songs that are absolutely amazing. I don't watch as much television as I used to a few years ago, but when I do, I love watching Friends and The Secret Life of an American Teenager.
My choice for a future career has changed over the years. I have grown up and my interests have changed. I once dreamed of becoming the next Hannah Montana or Dakota Fanning. I longed to be an actress and singer. Then I grew up a bit and chose to go more towards teaching and counseling for children. I have recently realized that I want to go into law enforcement. Most of my family has history with this career area. I have grown up around it, and I guess it has kind of grown on me. I am positively sticking with this choice. I now have the urge to help make my city safer and to follow in the family footsteps.
The main reason I write for Sweet Designs Magazine is because it gives girls my age, younger, and older a chance to be themselves. There is opportunity for every young girl to express herself and not be judged. It also gives me a chance to have a family outside of my family. The girls who write here have one thing in common - they want to speak out to other girls and show the world what they are worth, and what they have to offer. Sweet Designs is the perfect opportunity for a girl to come out open-heartedly, speak her mind, and be able to share with others who feel the same or have the same ideas. Equality comes from this family of writers and models. No one is better than the other. We all share the same passion. That's the reason I write for Sweet Designs. I wouldn't want to write for anyone else. These girls are my family. This magazine is my passion. Writing gives me a sense of freedom and a chance to be creative. Writing is what keeps me sane. Sweet Designs is the most amazing thing I could have ever asked to be accepted into and do.
