teen spotlight
photography by Shelby Berry
stats
15, Sophomore at Loveless Academic Magnet Program
notable
Baldwin Guitar Legend Award Winner; 1st Place at Mississippi
Guitar Festival; LAMP Model United Nations Most Promising
Freshman Delegate 2016; 1st Place Music Group at University
of Alabama Spanish Convention; JV Scholar’s Bowl Member
quotable
Vielka lives her life by these words : “Think of all the beauty
still left around you and be happy.” - Anne Frank
her story
In August of 2004, Vielka Ebadan arrived from the Dominican
Republic, quickly learned English, and soon developed a strong
inclination to create music. Currently, Vielka cultivates her
passion through playing a variety of instruments, including
guitar, mandolin, and ukulele. She has received high honors
at several music competitions, and has even been granted the
esteemed title of “Baldwin Guitar Legend.” In 2017, she plans
on travelling back to her home country to teach children in
need how to communicate through music. Vielka also excels
in academics as a student at LAMP. She is an active member of
the Spanish Club and a valued asset to LAMP’s Junior Varsity
Scholar’s Bowl team. In all that she does, Vielka wants to leave
her mark as someone who “would always be there to make
people laugh and smile.”
what’s next
“A career in political science and/or computer science really
interests me, so those two majors may lead me into things
I enjoy doing : talking, finding solutions for problems, and
technology!”
vielka ebadan
Montgomery, AL
PG (parental guidance) rating
“My family had to make a lot of adjustments when we left
the Dominican Republic, and I appreciate the way that we all
adapted while maintaining our culture and diversity.”
parents’ perspective
Vielka’s parents admire her ability to motivate herself in her endeavors. They realize that she has a great amount of potential, and they
“encourage her to stay focused on her goal.”
parent-to-parent
At a young age, Emmanuel was encouraged by his own
parents to set his values high. He suggests that parents
encourage their children to do the same, adding, “Know
your child, and always be there for advice and
encouragement.”
L28 |
Winter 2016
www.potentialmagazine.com