The 25th #NEPACreative of 2017 is Mariska Robinson of Laurel Run. Mariska brings creativity to the area through martial arts and as a member of the Girl Scouts.

As a student at Martin’s Karate Institute on Market Street in Wilkes-Barre, the 8-year-old has learned many of the basics she needs in self-defense which builds confidence, focus, self-esteem and creativity. She has practiced martial arts since 2015.

“I look up to my parents who teach and support me. Seeing how hard they work inspires me to do the same,” Robinson stated. “Sensei Pat Martin who encourages me to do my very best and Dani-elle Kleha who inspires me to help people and to dream big!”

Mariska has also been a Girl Scout for three years now. In Girl Scouts, she’s involved in many activities, each pf which brings out her own creativity through various means. These include meeting other people, coming up with ideas to help other people and showing that there are people that are still willing to make a difference in this world.

To Mariska, Karate and Girl Scouts give her a space to help people and show others she is not afraid to work hard to show who she is. She fully believes, “If I can do it, you can too.” Her advice to others is find something you like or are good at and stick with it. Work hard and you will succeed.

Mariska loves to read and sing country songs and she is into science. When asked where she saw herself in 10 to 15 years, Mariska said, “I see myself being successful by working hard, continuing to help others and going to outer space. I want to be an astronaut paleontologist meteorologist teacher when I grow up. ”

To Mariska, being creative is a way to show new, original ideas and take other ideas and make them fun for everyone. She believes creativity is something everyone has and when put to use anyone and everyone has the possibility to do anything.

When being considered as an NEPA Creative, individuals are asked to explain how they bring creativity to the area, how long they have been doing it and why, and finally what being creative means to them. Once chosen, the next step is to bring each creative into CoalCreative’s studio space to be filmed for a 60 second video that is shared every Wednesday across all their social media platforms. The series plans to highlight all sorts of creatives throughout the rest of the year. There are no limits to who could be considered. Photographers, musicians, barbers, magicians and improv artists are just a handful of the submissions CoalCreative has received thus far.

Mariska Robinson gains insights on helping people and making a difference in the world through her membership in the Girl Scouts.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Mariska1.jpgMariska Robinson gains insights on helping people and making a difference in the world through her membership in the Girl Scouts. Submitted photo

Confidence, focus, self-esteem and creativity are healthy byproducts of Mariska Robinson’s study of martial arts.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Submitted-by-Mariska-5.jpgConfidence, focus, self-esteem and creativity are healthy byproducts of Mariska Robinson’s study of martial arts. Submitted photo

Reading, singing country songs, and riding horses are among Mariska Robinson’s hobbies and passions.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Mariska3.jpgReading, singing country songs, and riding horses are among Mariska Robinson’s hobbies and passions. Submitted photo

Mariska Robinson, of Laurel Run, expresses her creativity through martial arts and the Girl Scouts.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Mariska-Robinson.jpgMariska Robinson, of Laurel Run, expresses her creativity through martial arts and the Girl Scouts. Courtesy of CoalCreative
Laurel Run girl broadens horizons in Girl Scouts, martial arts

By Holly Pilcavage

For Weekender

To be considered for the series, submit a consideration form at www.coalcreative.com/are-you-a-nepa-creative or send an email to holly@coalcreative.com.