teen spotlight
photography by Gretchen B Photography
stats
17, Senior at Thompson High School
notable
National Honor Society; Alabaster Teen Council, President;
Leadership Committee at Community Baptist Church; Praise
Band Leader; YMCA of Alabaster After School Academy
Counselor
quotable
“My mom always tells me how proud she is of me, but I’m more
proud of her. I love her. I hope that one day I will be half the
mom to my children that my mom has been to me.”
how it began
Kaitlin Beyler spent the first few months of her life in a Vietnamese orphanage before being adopted and brought to the United
States by her mom, Annette Beyler.
“I was adopted when I was six months old and raised by her
on her own. It has mostly just been me and my mom together. I
have never seen anyone work as hard as my mom does to give us
the best kind of life she can,” said Kaitlin.
Hard work seems to come as second-nature to Kaitlin. In addition to working three jobs to pay for her own car, Kaitlin is also
a member of Thompson High School’s National Honor Society;
Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society; an Ambassador; and the Social
Activities Coordinator for the Madrigals Show Choir. She’s
also the President of the Alabaster Teen Council, a new council
formed by the Mayor of Alabaster.
what’s next
Kaitlin’s desire to study nursing and become a Nurse Practitioner
followed a head injury two years ago that left her on Homebound Services with school for almost a year. “I want to do for
someone else what someone else did for me,” said Kaitlin.
kaitlin beyler
PG (parental guidance) rating
Alabaster, AL
Kaitlin’s Aunt Brooke once taught her that each person is responsible for their own happiness, advice Kaitlin considers among the
best she’s ever received.
parents’ perspective
Kaitlin’s drive is what impresses her mother most. “Kaitlin has
worked since she turned 16, currently juggles three different
positions where she works, is active in our church youth group,
is a straight-A student and is on track for the Advanced Honors
Diploma when she graduates high school in May,” Annette said.
“We are a God-first family,” Annette said. “She knows who she is
and what grounds her. She isn’t afraid to share it, either.”
parent-to-parent
“I cannot even imagine raising a child without the
support of God. Discipline is important, too. Without
discipline, your child will never learn the concept of ‘consequences for your actions.’ Raising children in today’s
age is difficult, but it is never impossible. Above all else, love your
child, laugh with your child and hug your child every single day,
even when they don’t want you to.”
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