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| Power Style Wellness Connections |
These Girls Have It All!
By Mary Q. Burton - Photos by Ewa Wojtkowska
When you combine intelligence, spunk, confidence, compassion and unbridled
determination together, you have the formula for the next generation of movers and
shakers. We narrowed our entries to the top 10 Today’s Girls and for the first time, our
judges selected an overall winner who received a $1,500 Shot in the Arm grant courtesy
of The Little Clinic.
Our Winner: Jamie Mullett
17 years old
Presentation Academy
Her battle with anorexia in her early teens taught Jamie Mullet not
only about the value of self-esteem, but out her experience, grew a
genuine interest in the welfare of others in the community.
“
I love to learn. Knowledge excites me and I believe that those with
knowledge are the truly successful in life.” Jamie plans to make the
most of her senior year at Presentation Academy. Ranked eighth in her high school
class, Jamie does a bit of everything. She plays varsity field hockey, donates time to the
Little Sisters of the Poor, and is a member of the Joseph of Arimathea Society at her
school. The club buries and prays for the deceased homeless people in the community.
“I don’t ever want to regret anything I really wanted or should have done.” All of these
components put Jamie in a league of her own and make her our Today’s Girl winner.
When she’s not busy with school or volunteer work, Jamie likes to hang out with her
friends and family, doing “typical, cliché stuff” like watching movies. “Finding Nemo” is
her top movie of all time. “My friends say that I remind them of Dory because I can do a
pretty good impression of when she speaks whale,” Jamie says with a laugh. For
inspiration, Jamie looks to her mother, Donna, who has overcome obstacles in her life
and career by starting her own business. This taught Jamie that anything is possible if
you put your mind to the task, and stand up for what you believe. “You shouldn’t let
people push you around,” she says. Jamie, who is preparing for college, isn’t letting
anybody push her around - she’s blazing a trail of her own.
Lauren Graehler
17 years old
Assumption High School
I believe that possessing character, loyalty, and determination will get you higher than
any grade point average.....In addition to my peers, I want to inspire my elders into
having faith in the youth of America and that there is great leadership in store for our
future. Taking care of the environment is a priority for Lauren. In her lifetime she hopes
society’s dependence upon oil will be eliminated with the further development of hybrid
cars and public transportation. She sets high goals for herself too, earning the
opportunity to photograph Kentucky Oaks 133 for the Kentucky Derby Archives and
writing a bill for the Kentucky Youth Assembly on mountain-top removal mining.
Amy Harpenau
18 years old
Ball State University
Everyone deserves the chance to lead a healthy life. In such a large and powerful
country, I think the government, citizens, and politicians should face this problem head
on. Equal opportunity and freedom were things this country was founded upon. Music
has made a huge impact on Amy’s life. She played in the first violin section of her high
school orchestra for four years, likes to sing in theater productions, and believes music
can be a refuge for troubled youth. There is another refuge, however, that she feels is
lacking for many families today—universal healthcare.
Ashley Suzanne Hettinger
15 years old
Nelson County High School
I have always been blessed with family and friends and always woke up Christmas
morning with more that I deserved. I could not imagine a child of any age on Christmas
morning without a gift to open. Speaking used to be a frightening prospect for Ashley
until she got involved with the National Future Farmers of America. The confidence she
gained has helped her to get involved with other organizations such as the American
Cancer Society and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.
Claire Kaminski
14 years old
Owensboro Middle School
She says....One of the biggest challenges is refereeing soccer games while listening to
coaches' or parents' complaints. Schoolwork keeps Claire busy, but it doesn’t stop
there. She ranked 31st at the Kentucky State Mathcounts, is one of the top flute players
in her school band, and was accepted into the University of Evansville Engineering
Camp for Girls twice. She is also an avid soccer player and likes to referee games.
Kate Smith
14 years old
Presentation Academy
I love working with all types of young kids, and helping them in anyway I can...From my
experience fibromyalgia, I want to also be like a mentor to kids with it....I have a special
place in my heart for special needs children because of where I volunteer. Kate likes to
look on the bright side. She was diagnosed with two chronic illnesses at a young age,
but keeps it all in perspective knowing that others have to go through much worse. She
has turned her painful experiences into a positive by donating her free time to others in
need at Creative Beginnings Child Development Center.
Sarah Stukenborg
14 years old
Assumption High School
School is a really tough place especially when you're the type of person who dosen't
follow the crowd or change who you are just to fit in...People shouldn't feel self-
conscious when they're being themselves, and they shouldn't be mistreated for that
either. Sarah believes living up to her full potential is the best way to go. She applies
this idea to her life by maintaining a high GPA and getting involved in sports such as
volleyball, basketball, track and tennis. She also believes in being true to herself, no
matter what anybody thinks.
Allison Wahl
18 years old
University of Kentucky
The story (Best Friends were Pink) taught me many lessons to apply to my own life
including that friendship and the formation of key relationships far outweigh winning or
success, and that sometimes triumph is in the eye of the beholder and is not worth the
sacrifice. Allison has tackled many challenges in her work with Students Against
Destructive Decisions, encouraging classmates to pledge against abusing alcohol and
drugs. She grew up as a twin which came with its own set of challenges and she has
struggled to find her own identity. But the difficulties, says Allison, have helped her gain
a better understanding of what is truly important.
Whitney Waller
19 years old
Western Kentucky University
Life is precious and you need to spend as much times (as you can) with those that you
love, because you never know when you might lose someone. I want to live life like (the
poem by Crystal Boyd says,) 'Laugh as much as you can, Dance like no one is watching,
And never say goodbye without telling those you love that you really love them.'
Whitney always gives her very best. She is a student who works hard, taking the most
challenging courses at WKU, and gets involved with her community through Big Brother
Big Sister. Recently, she lost her aunt to cancer which caused her to appreciate her life
and family more than ever.
Megan Winrich
16 year old
Home-Schooled
I try to be a role model by setting a good example for younger girls by not drinking,
doing drugs, or smoking. I encourage girls to be comfortable in their own skin and be
proud of who they are. This teen wonders why media darlings get so much attention
when there are more serious issues at hand like the crisis in Darfur where fighting
between rebel groups has caused more than 200,000 deaths and the displacement of
2.5 million Sudanese people. Megan loves to sing and dance, and gets involved with her
Girl Scouts of America troop by mentoring younger members.
By Mary Q. Burton - Photos by Ewa Wojtkowska
When you combine intelligence, spunk, confidence, compassion and unbridled
determination together, you have the formula for the next generation of movers and
shakers. We narrowed our entries to the top 10 Today’s Girls and for the first time, our
judges selected an overall winner who received a $1,500 Shot in the Arm grant courtesy
of The Little Clinic.
Our Winner: Jamie Mullett
17 years old
Presentation Academy
Her battle with anorexia in her early teens taught Jamie Mullet not
only about the value of self-esteem, but out her experience, grew a
genuine interest in the welfare of others in the community.
“
I love to learn. Knowledge excites me and I believe that those with
knowledge are the truly successful in life.” Jamie plans to make the
most of her senior year at Presentation Academy. Ranked eighth in her high school
class, Jamie does a bit of everything. She plays varsity field hockey, donates time to the
Little Sisters of the Poor, and is a member of the Joseph of Arimathea Society at her
school. The club buries and prays for the deceased homeless people in the community.
“I don’t ever want to regret anything I really wanted or should have done.” All of these
components put Jamie in a league of her own and make her our Today’s Girl winner.
When she’s not busy with school or volunteer work, Jamie likes to hang out with her
friends and family, doing “typical, cliché stuff” like watching movies. “Finding Nemo” is
her top movie of all time. “My friends say that I remind them of Dory because I can do a
pretty good impression of when she speaks whale,” Jamie says with a laugh. For
inspiration, Jamie looks to her mother, Donna, who has overcome obstacles in her life
and career by starting her own business. This taught Jamie that anything is possible if
you put your mind to the task, and stand up for what you believe. “You shouldn’t let
people push you around,” she says. Jamie, who is preparing for college, isn’t letting
anybody push her around - she’s blazing a trail of her own.
Lauren Graehler
17 years old
Assumption High School
I believe that possessing character, loyalty, and determination will get you higher than
any grade point average.....In addition to my peers, I want to inspire my elders into
having faith in the youth of America and that there is great leadership in store for our
future. Taking care of the environment is a priority for Lauren. In her lifetime she hopes
society’s dependence upon oil will be eliminated with the further development of hybrid
cars and public transportation. She sets high goals for herself too, earning the
opportunity to photograph Kentucky Oaks 133 for the Kentucky Derby Archives and
writing a bill for the Kentucky Youth Assembly on mountain-top removal mining.
Amy Harpenau
18 years old
Ball State University
Everyone deserves the chance to lead a healthy life. In such a large and powerful
country, I think the government, citizens, and politicians should face this problem head
on. Equal opportunity and freedom were things this country was founded upon. Music
has made a huge impact on Amy’s life. She played in the first violin section of her high
school orchestra for four years, likes to sing in theater productions, and believes music
can be a refuge for troubled youth. There is another refuge, however, that she feels is
lacking for many families today—universal healthcare.
Ashley Suzanne Hettinger
15 years old
Nelson County High School
I have always been blessed with family and friends and always woke up Christmas
morning with more that I deserved. I could not imagine a child of any age on Christmas
morning without a gift to open. Speaking used to be a frightening prospect for Ashley
until she got involved with the National Future Farmers of America. The confidence she
gained has helped her to get involved with other organizations such as the American
Cancer Society and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.
Claire Kaminski
14 years old
Owensboro Middle School
She says....One of the biggest challenges is refereeing soccer games while listening to
coaches' or parents' complaints. Schoolwork keeps Claire busy, but it doesn’t stop
there. She ranked 31st at the Kentucky State Mathcounts, is one of the top flute players
in her school band, and was accepted into the University of Evansville Engineering
Camp for Girls twice. She is also an avid soccer player and likes to referee games.
Kate Smith
14 years old
Presentation Academy
I love working with all types of young kids, and helping them in anyway I can...From my
experience fibromyalgia, I want to also be like a mentor to kids with it....I have a special
place in my heart for special needs children because of where I volunteer. Kate likes to
look on the bright side. She was diagnosed with two chronic illnesses at a young age,
but keeps it all in perspective knowing that others have to go through much worse. She
has turned her painful experiences into a positive by donating her free time to others in
need at Creative Beginnings Child Development Center.
Sarah Stukenborg
14 years old
Assumption High School
School is a really tough place especially when you're the type of person who dosen't
follow the crowd or change who you are just to fit in...People shouldn't feel self-
conscious when they're being themselves, and they shouldn't be mistreated for that
either. Sarah believes living up to her full potential is the best way to go. She applies
this idea to her life by maintaining a high GPA and getting involved in sports such as
volleyball, basketball, track and tennis. She also believes in being true to herself, no
matter what anybody thinks.
Allison Wahl
18 years old
University of Kentucky
The story (Best Friends were Pink) taught me many lessons to apply to my own life
including that friendship and the formation of key relationships far outweigh winning or
success, and that sometimes triumph is in the eye of the beholder and is not worth the
sacrifice. Allison has tackled many challenges in her work with Students Against
Destructive Decisions, encouraging classmates to pledge against abusing alcohol and
drugs. She grew up as a twin which came with its own set of challenges and she has
struggled to find her own identity. But the difficulties, says Allison, have helped her gain
a better understanding of what is truly important.
Whitney Waller
19 years old
Western Kentucky University
Life is precious and you need to spend as much times (as you can) with those that you
love, because you never know when you might lose someone. I want to live life like (the
poem by Crystal Boyd says,) 'Laugh as much as you can, Dance like no one is watching,
And never say goodbye without telling those you love that you really love them.'
Whitney always gives her very best. She is a student who works hard, taking the most
challenging courses at WKU, and gets involved with her community through Big Brother
Big Sister. Recently, she lost her aunt to cancer which caused her to appreciate her life
and family more than ever.
Megan Winrich
16 year old
Home-Schooled
I try to be a role model by setting a good example for younger girls by not drinking,
doing drugs, or smoking. I encourage girls to be comfortable in their own skin and be
proud of who they are. This teen wonders why media darlings get so much attention
when there are more serious issues at hand like the crisis in Darfur where fighting
between rebel groups has caused more than 200,000 deaths and the displacement of
2.5 million Sudanese people. Megan loves to sing and dance, and gets involved with her
Girl Scouts of America troop by mentoring younger members.
photo of Lauren Graehler
by Dede Holman
by Dede Holman