Maddie is 14 years old. She attends Shawnee Mission Northwest. Here’s a glimpse into her world:

What inspires you?

I would have to say all sorts of music, literature, and poetry. I’m mainly inspired by the world around me and what it’s doing that makes me irritated or joyful. The fuel for my drawings comes from just being in school. Certain people also inspire me, but I can’t possibly name all of them because it would take too long.

What are your favorite books? Favorite movies?

My favorite book so far would have to be Dreamland by Sarah Dessen. I just love how she captures a teenager’s life so brilliantly. My favorite movies include Chocolat, Psycho, The Sandlot, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Napoleon Dynamite, Matilda, and Mean Girls.

What are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?

My hobbies include writing songs, painting, and drawing in my little notebook. Some other things I like to do would be singing in the Allegro choir, playing the bass clarinet and handbells, listening to music, watching TV, and surfing the internet. I’m also making a movie with some of my best friends that are great actors, off the set crew people, and make-up and hair artists. The movie doesn’t have a title yet but it’s a comical horror flick that I hope will enter an amateur film festival.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I picture myself in the college of my dreams. A school that I can go to that will have good zoology and herpetology classes as well as art classes. I want to major in zoology and minor in art.