The Next Step Magazine
wanted the best. Scratch that—we wanted the best of the best. So we
asked your guidance counselors, parents and friends to nominate the
best teen volunteers, students, athletes, singers, leaders and more for
the annual Next Step Magazine Super Teens contest!
We asked each applicant these questions:
What activities or qualities make you stand out from your peers?
In what clubs, volunteer organizations or youth groups are you involved?
Explain an opportunity you had to act as a leader. What did you learn from the experience?
Who or what experience has had the greatest impact on you?
What are your plans for the future?
How do you want to be remembered at your high school?
We know there are a lot of great teens out there. So let us know about you! Log on to www.nextSTEPmagazine.com/superteens for a Super Teens application to apply for next year's contest.
Congratulations to the cream of the crop, presented right here. We think you're great!
Joanna Alvarez, 17, a senior at McAllen High School says
she enjoys getting involved in activities that give back to the
community. She is very involved in Health Occupations Students of
America (HOSA), and volunteers regularly at the Humane Society, Relay
for Life, and her local food bank. She also is involved with the local
Rio Grande Valley Make-A-Wish Foundation. She plans to attend college and graduate with a nursing degree. She says “always reach high for your goals and never give up”.
Sanjeet Baidwan,
18, says one day she’d like initials behind her name, as in “M.D.” It
looks like she’s well on her way to achieving her goal. A senior at
Lubbock High School, Sanjeet, who hopes to explore the biological
sciences, has volunteered at Covenant Lakeside, the local hospital,
since she was 13. Other activities she’s involved in include the United
Way, Key Club, National Honor Society, student council, Habitat for
Humanity, Friends of the Library and Youth in Philanthrophy. Sanjeet
says that because of a special patient she met at Covenant, she has
learned she can prevail through the waves life sends and continue to
sail through any storms.
For Rebekah Benton,
college should be a breeze. Ranked first in her class, the 17-year-old
Flatonia High School senior will already have 24 college credits at her
high school graduation thanks to dual-credit classes she has taken at a
local college. Rebekah has been class president for three years,
president of her chapter’s National Honor Society and is a member of
the student council and Interact. Rebekah isn’t only an academic diva,
she’s a competitive athlete, too. Participating in no fewer than four
sports per year, she is captain of the varsity volleyball and
basketball teams and is active in track, tennis, cross-country and the
softball team. Rebekah’s older sister has been her lifeline. She says,
“Sarah has been my role model, my support, my confidant and my best
friend.”
Friends and teachers call her Mighty Mouse because of her small stature and high voice, but Hilary Blake is anything but a mouse. She is currently a senior at Allen High School and ranked 24th in a class of 862. What
sets her apart is her willingness to get involved. She has been active
in the City of Allen Teen Court and served as Juror, Prosecutor,
Defense Attorney, the first Judge and Attorney Coach. She is Student
Body President of her senior class. She says “every person has the
power to make a difference and my goal is to make a positive, lasting
difference in everything I do.”
Lauren Berg’s
parents have been the greatest factors of her success. “My parents have
taught me to work hard in order to achieve my goals. I value the
knowledge and lessons they have given me,” says the 17-year-old senior
of Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio. Lauren is student body
president and a member of student council, the National Honor Society,
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life and Churchill’s Winner
Circle Advisory Board, where she tries to discourage the use of drugs
and alcohol. She is also captain of the volleyball team, which is
ranked as one of the top teams in Texas. Lauren, who says she works
hard in all areas of school, has set her sights on attending Texas
A&M University. She plans to attend medical school to become a
pediatrician.
Jessica Berry
says people have always told her she’s trying to do too much, but the
17-year-old says doing too much is what makes her who she is. A senior
at Waller High School in Hempstead, Jessica is vice president of her
district’s student council, class secretary, a math tutor and co-head
cheerleader. Doing all of that still isn’t enough for Jessica. She’s
also a member of the Beta Club, science club, the solar car team and
vice president of Top Teens of America, Inc. She’ll be attending the
Pre-Medical Concepts Institute (PCI) on the Prairie View A&M campus
to get an early start towards a degree in biology and plans to also
pursue a degree in chemistry.
Julie Caldwell
of Burkburnett High School has been working hard to achieve her goals.
This 18-year-old senior, who is ranked fourth in her class of 214
students, says she plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in
English. An outgoing athlete, Julie has been on the varsity tennis team
since freshman year and serves as captain this year. She is a member of
the National Honor Society, student council, Texas Association of
Future Educators, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has received the
Texas State Board of Education’s Celebrations of Educational Excellence
Award in each of her high school years. Julie is also involved in her
church youth group and is the soloist each year at the youth-led
service. She’s also a Pink Darling and has given more than 100 hours of
volunteer service to the United Regional Healthcare Center of Wichita
Falls.
Known by her peers as “the local psychiatrist,” Katherine Chen
has been very busy. The 17-year-old senior at Bellaire High School in
Bellaire is president of her school’s Infiniti Enterprises program,
vice president of the International Students Association, treasurer of
the Chinese club, design editor of the yearbook staff and an
award-winning piano player. She is also a member of the National Honor
Society. Katherine plans to pursue a major in business and would like
to open a stationary business in the future. Katherine credits her
older sister Karen as having the greatest impact on her life.
“I would like to be remembered as someone who didn’t conform,” says Boerne High School junior Amanda Carpenter.
And conform she doesn’t. This 17-year-old makes her own rules. The
activities Amanda is involved in include National Honor Society, Youth
Service America, Habitat for Humanity, PALs, American Red Cross Youth
Council, student council, K’STAR Teen Leadership Board, Read Across
America Literacy Program, Presidential Classroom Scholars and more.
Most notably, Amanda is the founder and president of Teens for a Better
World, Inc., a nonprofit youth volunteer organization serving the Texas
Hill Country and greater San Antonio area. Her organization has served
organizations such as UNICEF, VH1 Save the Music, March of Dimes,
Kerrville VA Hospital and the Salvation Army. Amanda plans to pursue a
graduate degree in business or medicine and would like to be able to
integrate the two and open her own company.
April Doxey
is a 17-year-old senior at Schulenburg High School. She keeps herself
busy with a part-time job, volunteer work at a nursing home, a
drunk-driving awareness program, a Christian youth group and tutoring
junior high math students. April is also involved in three sports,
including cross-country, for which she is team captain and four-time
regional finalist. With all that, she still has time to be part of the
homecoming court. April plans to run cross-country at Texas Lutheran
University and major in biology. She then will make her way to medical
school to become a pediatrician.
Brownwood High senior Tamara Foy
says she pushes and challenges herself because she doesn’t want to just
breeze through life. This 17-year-old, who says she loves to be
challenged, has a 4.0 GPA and has been accepted to Texas A&M
University. She plans to major in accounting and become a Certified
Public Accountant. She is actively involved in the National Honor
Society, the Heartland Mall Teen Board, the mentor program CHOICES, her
church youth group and is editor of the yearbook. She says she hopes
her classmates will remember has as being a leader and always trying
her best. Tamara stands out because she’s hardworking and dedicated and
hopes to make her school proud.
Joana Lizette Fuerte
says she can see herself in the White House one day as the first
Hispanic female president. She’s already started working on her
leadership skills. Joana, a 17-year-old senior at Edinburg North High
School, is president of National Honor Society, vice president of
student council, vice president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes,
reporter for the Future Farmers of America, a member of Mu Alpha Theta,
the varsity tennis team and a student athletic trainer. She has
volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the March of Dimes. Joana
says she plans to attend either the University of North Texas State or
University of Texas Pan America and study biology and criminal justice.
Until her presidential election, she’d like to work with the FBI and
work as a criminal investigator or a ballistics specialist.
Clayton Gregory
is a superb athlete. He is on the varsity football team, plays
basketball and golf, does power lifting and runs track. He’s also a
member of the USGA men’s gymnastics team and has placed sixth at
regional competitions while competing against gymnasts from six other
states. But don’t think this 18-year-old Gonzales High School senior is
just a jock. He’s senior representative of the local Anchor Club, which
he also serves as the Texas district president. He’s also president of
National Honor Society and student council. Voted class favorite by his
peers, Clayton is involved in the forensics club, Fellowship of
Christian Athletes and the Future Scientists Club. Clayton plans to
attend the University of Texas at Austin and declare a double major of
business administration and accounting.
“I
pride myself at being able to accomplish things on my own without
depending on others to always hold my hand and walk me through it,”
says 17-year-old Kelsie Hundl of Brazoswood High
School in Lake Jackson. So far, she’s doing good job of making it on
her own. She is captain of the varsity volleyball team and was
nominated to be her school’s candidate for the Fair Queen Pageant in a
local county fair. Kelsie is involved with her church youth group,
National Honor Society, PALS, the Spanish honor society and Grable’s
Grasshoppers, an environmental program. Ranked third in a class of more
than 500 students, Kelsie says she will study biological systems
engineering with an emphasis on food process engineering.
Since his childhood, Joshua Kempf
says he has understood that no dream is unattainable. Because of he
learned this lesson early, the 18-year-old senior of Medina Valley High
School in Castroville strives for the best. Ranked first in a class of
230, Joshua is senior class vice president, student council president
and reporter for National Honor Society. He is also a Boy Scout, youth
ministry leader, involved in his church’s youth group and captain of
the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Joshua plans to pursue his
interest in politics and current events at the University of Notre
Dame, where he plans to double major in international business and
political science with an emphasis in foreign language. His dreams are
to become an entrepreneur and to run for public office.
Allison Kinser
of Earl Warren High School in San Antonio plans to putt her way to
college. Taking after her grandfather, this 17-year-old senior hopes to
score a full golf scholarship. For the time being, Allison is more than
happy to be the feature baton twirler at her school’s half-time shows.
She says she started twirling at the age of 9 and hasn’t been able to
put the baton down since. Allison instructs dance lessons, mentors
other students and is a member of National Honor Society. She is also
one of the founders of the Unity Club, where they counsel troubled
students who have no one else to turn to. Immersed in golf, Allison
volunteers at the Lackland Air Force Base Golf Course Golf Clinic. She
says she will major in marketing while putting her way to the LPGA Tour.
Bradley Loyd Ledbetter
is a 17-year-old junior at Lake Dallas High School in Corinth. He has
been very active in extracurricular activities including being a youth
group leader, a member of the American Sign Language Club, in student
council, Texas Association of Future Educators, Show Choir,
Renaissance, PALs and National Honor Society. Bradley, a talented
baseball and basketball player, is also a member of the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes. He says he hopes to coach, either professionally or
for Little League baseball or a basketball team. How does he hope to be
remembered? Bradley says, “I want to be remembered as a strong and
devoted Christian who worked hard to accomplish my goals.” It looks
like he’s on the right track.
“You don’t have to be famous to have admirers,” says Dina Mastee,
a 17-year-old senior at the United Engineering and Technology Magnet
School in Laredo. And she has plenty. Dina volunteered as a tutor for
elementary students. She says she felt great when one of the students
remarked, “I want to be just like Dina.” When she’s not making an
impression on students, Dina is active in the writing club,
environmental club, Interact and is the recording secretary for
National Honor Society. Dina has set her heart on attending Baylor
University to major in biology. She will follow that up with studying
medicine and hopes to open a private practice.
Brittley McDaniel
of Campbell High School in Commerce is a 17-year-old senior who strives
to get along with everyone. She is currently a member of the student
council and the National Beta Club, for which she was secretary last
year. Brittley, who is currently ranked seventh in her class, says she
will pursue a major in education and hopes to teach fourth graders.
Brittley’s mom has had the greatest impact on her life. Of her mom,
Brittley says, “She has always been there for me whenever I needed her.
If there is anything I want to try out for, my mom is always behind me
100 percent. My mom is my hero.”
Alief Kerr
High School junior Maryam Parhizkar says, “Trying hard and pursuing
high goals in the present is the key to staying involved in the
future.” This 16-year-old knows a lot about working hard, too. Maryam,
who plans to major in either government or English and minor in music
performance, is vice president of her class, head of the Pride and
Patriotism committee in student council, a member of National Honor
Society and Key Club. Maryam, who says she could never let go of music,
is also section leader of violas in her school’s orchestra and plays in
the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra.
Hayley Pennington
of Humble High School in Humble says she isn’t comfortable singing her
own praises. But this 16-year-old sophomore has a lot worth singing
about. Hollie Hanks, her school counselor says, “She is a very
conscientious student who tries her best to please her teachers and
parents.” Hayley, who is ranked eleventh of 1,044 students, is involved
in the student council, is homecoming chairperson, was co-captain of
the cheerleading squad last year and is now on the junior varsity
squad. Hayley is also active in volunteer work and is a four-year
member of the Lake Houston National Charity League. Hayley plans to
pursue a degree in law, medicine or public relations.
Joshua D. Rodriguez
is a 17-year-old senior at Harlingen High School South. Joshua is a
member of Key Club, ecology club, UIL teams, decathalon team, Youth
Leadership Harlingen Steering Committee and National Honor Society. He
has attended the International Summit of Young Technology Leaders
conference and has also worked with the Ronald McDonald house and
raised money for UNICEF. A lover of nature and the medical field,
Joshua has attended walks and benefits for the American Heart
Association, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and volunteers at Tom
Ramsey Nature Park. His future plans include majoring in biology and
becoming a doctor.
Mitchell Rothe,
a 17-year-old senior at D’Hanis High School, says he’d like to be known
as a hardworking person who will do what’s right even if it isn’t
popular. But Mitchell’s pretty popular anyway. A talented athlete,
Mitchell is captain of the football team and also plays tennis,
basketball, baseball and runs track. He is president of the Catholic
Youth Organization, vice president of Future Farmers of America and a
member of 4-H Club, National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian
Athletes. Mitchell also participates in five Scholastic UIL events.
Mitchell is headed to Texas A&M University to study architecture.
Rita Loria, a school counselor, at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, had this to say about Brenisha Smith,
“Brenisha is an extraordinary person because she does not let anything
or anyone stand in her way in order to fulfill her scholastic and
athletic goals”. She participates in several sports, takes time to help
others and education comes first. Her hard work has paid off as she is
scheduled to graduate a year ahead of her class.
Connie Yu
has big goals. She hopes to take over the world, but jovially adds, “If
my plans to become supreme ruler of the universe fall through, I’ll
enter the business field in either entrepreneurship or international
business.” This 15-year-old Cinco Ranch High School junior, who scored
a 1600 on the SAT, is the founder of her school’s academic octathalon
and academic decathalon teams, president of Interact, vice president of
the Asian Heritage Club and district secretary and local vice president
of community service of Future Business Leaders of America. Connie is
also a member of the Academic Challenge team, National Honor Society,
Mu Alpha Theta, National Forensic League and actively participates in
the decathalon and several Scholastic UIL teams. Connie also recently
got the chance to meet with many famous authors when she wrote a
winning essay for the Houston Chronicle Book and Author Contest.
