Our Cover, Your Kid
Winner Aaliyah Williams
Aaliyah Williams chews her tongue as she tries to understand how to attach a cardboard box to her penny board. “Mom, can I use the hot glue gun?” she asks.
The questions never end from the curious 11-year-old who digs through the junk closet for tape and glue and pipe cleaners to outfit her new invention. Aaliyah is always looking to solve the next problem, from make-shift toys for her cats to gadgets to zoom around the house. She even went through three big boxes of baking soda in a month for her homemade science experiments.
“The experiments just come to my imagination to make pretend dough and food because I love to bake,” Aaliyah said. “It’s satisfying when I solve a hard problem.”
Problem-solving has almost become a pastime for Aaliyah. She brings home her math assignments with “queen of math” written in the name space, and her favorite tasks are ones that most people find difficult. In August, Aaliyah picked up a cassette player and tinkered with it until swoony 90s country music started playing through the speakers.
“That goes to the fact of being an only child, and you have to figure things out on your own sometimes,” said Aaliyah’s grandmother, Lori Feikert. Her independence and problem-solving tie in with her creativity and imagination — a gift she shares with her family.
“She has a huge imagination and tons of creativity and the will to make it happen,” said Aaliyah’s grandfather, John Feikert. “Some of the stuff she comes up with is amazing. She’ll just do crazy things, whether it’s a craft thing or something on her computer, you could go on and on”
Maybe it’s a side effect of being an only child and the youngest child in her mother’s family — a title that she has held longer than almost anyone in the family. “When Aaliyah was born, I was very disappointed, but now I am very protective of her and I love her like a little sister,” said Aaliyah’s cousin, Kameryn Feikert. “Even though she stole the title as the baby of the family from me.”
It must be more than that, though: Aaliyah can get excited about anything, and she maintains a thread of optimism in everything she does — even while getting a flu shot she can see the bright side. But she’s also stubborn and holds her ground, and she has a competitive streak that rivals top athletes.
“I like how she doesn’t let the boys at school bother her. If they’re playing football on the playground, she doesn’t care — she’s out there doing it, she doesn’t let anybody dictate what she wants to do,” Lori said.
Her headstrong nature could be a nod to her namesake. Aaliyah’s middle name, Bobbi, comes from her late great-grandmother, a woman who led with compassion, but also held firm in her beliefs. “Aaliyah has a pretty big heart, too,” Lori added. “She doesn’t wear it on her sleeve, but she does have a big heart, and that’s something that Bobbi had, she loved unconditionally.”
“We have a handshake, it symbolizes gratitude or appreciation for just being us, being around each other. It’s a symbol of a multitude of things; it’s just something we do,” said Aaliyah’s father, Demetric Williams.
Someday, Aaliyah plans on opening her own restaurant, serving none other than the meal she often eats three times a day — breakfast. “I can definitely admit to giving in to the breakfast for dinner, I was against it because I would eat breakfast, and I was like ‘why eat breakfast twice?’ ” Williams said.
“I think a lot of fathers can speak to giving in, she won me over.”
Finalist Avett Friesen, 7
Parents: Elizabeth and Linsey Friesen
Hobbies: Avett loves playing his ukulele, riding his bicycle, swim team, building anything and picking out a snazzy outfit.
Favorite school subject: Math, because he likes solving problems with numbers. Science, because he loves experiments.
Personality: Avett would wear a suit and tie every single day if we’d let him! He is always the first to compliment a good outfit. He is a free-thinker, adventurer, builder and protector. He is best buds with his dog “Lasso” who is a mini Australian Shepherd.
What he wants to be when he grows up: An engineer so he can build things.
Other fun facts: Avett loves to bike on Red Bud Trail. His farthest this summer was over 11 miles. He is the big brother to two sets of twins!
Finalist Sebastian Scott, 9
Parents: Kacee and John Scott
Hobbies: Playing his Nintendo Switch and playing tag at school
Favorite school subject: Math, because he likes to find new answers
Personality: Energetic, talkative (especially in school), loving to his baby brother
What he wants to be when he grows up: A dentist to help patients with check-ups and cavities
Other fun facts: He’s named after one of the main characters in “Cruel Intentions,” his middle name is from a character in “Gladiator,” and his baby brother loves him more than anyone else (except for Mom).
Finalist Aria Thompson, 8
Parents: Tramaine and Erin Thompson
Hobbies: Making bracelets, gymnastics, volleyball
Favorite school subject: Math, because she enjoys solving problems
Personality: We would describe Aria as a very mature and determined little girl. When she sets a goal for herself, there is no stopping her until she accomplishes it. She prides herself on doing what is right and helping others.
What she wants to be when she grows up: A fashion designer, because she loves expressing herself through clothes.
Other fun facts: Aria taught herself how to do a backhand spring and an aerial by the age of 6. Her birthday is on New Year’s Eve.
Finalist Austyn Thompson, 7
Parents: Tramaine and Erin Thompson
Hobbies: Bike riding, playing outside with friends, soccer, gymnastics
Favorite school subject: Science, because she enjoys learning about outer space.
Personality: Austyn is a care-free spirit who’s never met a stranger. She is incredibly kind, full of joy, and one of the funniest characters you'll ever meet! She’s empathetic toward others and always makes sure everyone feels included.
What she wants to be when she grows up: A veterinarian, so she can help animals.
Other fun facts: Austyn has a beautiful singing voice but only her immediate family members would know that! Austyn loves reading books about animals and sharing fun facts she learns with others.