CAPTURING KRISTEN: A Teen Photographer in the Making — and We’re Excited to Watch Her Story Develop

Some people light up the room the second they walk in — and that’s exactly who Kristen is. A freshman at Southeast High School and a brand new member of Davinda’s Teen Team, Kristen might be new to the crew, but she’s already making her mark with her unstoppable energy, kind heart, and passion for lifting others up.

From the start, it was clear Kristen was going to bring something special to the team. Whether she’s cheering from the sidelines, posing for a shoot, or capturing memories behind a camera, she’s always focused on one thing: making the people around her feel good. And honestly? That’s a superpower all on its own.

Rooted in Confidence, Radiating Kindness

When asked what makes her her, Kristen lights up as she talks about her confidence and her desire to make others feel welcomed and supported. She says one of her favorite things is to bring positive energy wherever she goes and see how it impacts others. That contagious spirit has become such a part of who she is — and it all started with her first basketball season at Southeast.

“It was my first time playing basketball, and I decided my job would be the hype girl. That role carried into other areas of my life and really became a part of my personality.”

Kristen has found so much joy in helping others feel seen and uplifted. Whether it’s through a smile, her energy on the sidelines, or a kind word in the hallway, she hopes she can brighten someone’s day — even if she doesn’t realize she’s doing it in the moment.

“If I had one wish, it would be that when people are having bad days, I can help make them better — without even knowing. It’s so rewarding when someone tells you that you helped their day just by being you.”

Following Her Own Path — And Blazing a New One

Kristen’s decision to join the Teen Team was inspired in part by her older sister, Kelsey, a longtime member of the team who will soon be joining Davinda’s Senior Team. Watching Kelsey's experience showed Kristen what the team was all about: growth, confidence, and connection. Now, Kristen is charting her own path — and doing it her way.

Part of that journey included a big change this year — transferring from Biomed back to Southeast High School. It was a decision she made after spending time at Southeast football games and realizing how much she missed the community and spirit of her home school.

“Coming back was definitely the best decision for me. I get to be involved in sports again like basketball, track, and golf. And I’ve gained a close community of friends. It just feels right here.”

At Biomed, distance made it hard to connect with friends outside of school, but back at Southeast, Kristen thrives on the shared experiences, the support, and the friendships she’s building every day. Biomed is an incredible school with a unique and valuable learning environment—but it just wasn’t the right fit for Kristen, and that’s exactly what we admire about her. She’s not afraid to make bold choices, even the hard or scary ones, to find where she truly belongs. That kind of self-awareness and courage is what makes her stand out.

Athlete, Hype Girl, and Now… Photographer

Kristen doesn’t just play sports — she lives them. She started basketball as a young kid, took a break when she went to Biomed, and then picked it right back up when she returned to Southeast. Her favorite memory this season? Scoring against Mogadore on their home court — an unforgettable moment in her first year back.

She also picked up track for the first time this year and is loving the team, the energy of the meets, and the lessons in grit and perseverance that come with it. And let’s not forget about golf, which she started in eighth grade. One of her proudest moments? Playing in a varsity match — an experience she won’t soon forget.

But Kristen’s interests don’t stop on the field. She recently discovered a whole new passion behind the lens — photography. What started with snapping pics at football games on a little pink digital camera has now grown into something so much bigger. Her mom recently let her use her DSLR camera, and Kristen has been hooked ever since.

She’s already capturing moments at track meets, organizing a track media day for her team, and even creating meet-day graphics using her own photos. Kristen says she hopes to take this hobby into college, where she dreams of photographing sports teams, continuing to grow her creativity, and maybe even making some money doing what she loves.

“I realized I learned a lot of tips and tricks from Davinda on how to pose people — and it’s helped me so much already with my own photography.”

Looking Ahead

Kristen has big dreams for the future. After high school, she plans to go to college — possibly to become a lawyer who works with sports teams or specific athletes. She’s excited about the idea of moving away for school and is considering continuing golf at the collegiate level, since it’s the sport she feels most connected to.

Why We’re So Glad Kristen Joined the Teen Team

In just her first year, Kristen has already made such a positive impact. She brings joy and laughter to every shoot, uplifts the girls around her, and isn’t afraid to try something new — whether it’s stepping in front of the camera, behind it, or onto a basketball court for the first time.

Since joining the Teen Team, Kristen says her confidence has grown tremendously, and it’s clear to everyone who meets her. She’s someone who leads with love, shows up with energy, and makes the world a little brighter just by being herself.

We’re so lucky to have her on the team — and we can’t wait to watch her story continue to unfold, one beautiful moment at a time.