Meet the Stones: Same family, different dreams

by Christi Marsico
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 1:07 PM MST

For Kordell, Hayden and Presley Stone, living in Casper for the last 1-1/2 years has not only introduced snow to them for the first time, but also earned their artistic endeavors a warm, Wyoming welcome.

Kordell, 11, attends sixth grade at Park Elementary School and has been drawing since he was 3 years old.

Born in Encinitas, Calif., Kordell's drawings mainly consisted of super heroes, his family and Rocky Balboa. However, since his move to Wyoming, his favorite thing to draw now is horses.

He enjoys sketching horses in a range of poses, giving special focus to detailing the wisps of their manes and tails.

The freedom horses exude in their running, grazing and just being are reasons this young artisan has become fascinated with capturing this creature.

Kordell loves to incorporate color and detail into his drawings, and being an avid reader has inspired him to sketch his imagination.

"When I read, I can see the story I want to tell, and I can't wait to draw it," he said.

With aspirations to be a writer and an illustrator when he grows up, Kordell describes his family as “happy,” while his younger sister, Hayden, sees their family as “fun.”

Hayden, who is 9 years old, was born in Oceanside, Calif., and attends fourth grade at Park Elementary School.

Her love for words has compelled this budding wordsmith to compose short stories, as well as poems since she was 7.

Among her poetry dedicated to plankton and Rottweilers is the poem titled, "Love," which was written with her mother, Jessica, in mind.

"The days are never right without you

You're my sunshine and you should never leave me

You are so beautiful

Yes, so beautiful."

When it comes to composing poetry, Hayden lets her thoughts free flow onto the page, creating a way to let her imagination run as wild as the wind is here.

"I like the way I can express my feelings and write down what I really want to with detail," she said.

Hayden's current projects include writing stories about a young girl, animals and adventure, as well as creating more poetry that she is compiling in journals at home and at school.

With ambitions of becoming a writer or a chef, one way or another, words will be integrated into Hayden's future.

Presley the youngest Stone, has ambitions of her own that include a little razzle dazzle and a microphone.

Eight years of age, Presley attends third grade at Park Elementary School and also was born in Oceanside.

She has ambitions to be a singer and dancer or a veterinarian, but definitely does not want to work in a restaurant.

"Singing and dancing get me in a good mood, and I love the different rhythms and beats," the girl noted.

Presley favors dancing and singing to songs from “High School Musical,” the Jonas Brothers and numerous Christian artists.

In addition to entertaining others, Presley enjoys "looking cute" and fancies making up a song that incorporates her mood.

Her family is “joyful,” and Presley gleefully grabs a microphone and begins singing a song from “High School Musical.”

Hayden puts her notebook down and joins in the performance with some dance moves and grins.

In the meantime, Kordell continues sketching his latest drawing, looking up from time to time to an all too familiar scene.

The Stones are three creative kids who are dancing, drawing and writing to their own beat, the kids’ beat.

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