Texas Super Teens

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.

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