California 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!

Stephanie Anderson, a very organized 18-year-old senior at Santa Rosa Christian School, says she doesn’t stop until the job is completed. This driven young lady is student body president, part of the student government, drama club, youth group and leads a Bible study. She’s also on the varsity basketball team and takes ballet. When not involved in athletics or clubs at school, Stephanie can be found volunteering at the local fairgrounds or helping her school with their “beautifying” events. Stephanie plans to attend Santa Rosa Junior College for two years and then transfer to a university, where she will study education or counseling.

“My whole life, I’ve wanted to be famous and loved by everyone. But what I’ve wanted even more is to help people, so I hope to become a doctor,” says

Raymen Assaf of Crescenta Valley High School. Raymen is a 15-year-old sophomore who is involved in at least 15 different clubs and youth groups. He is the founder and president of the Arabic Cultural Club, president of his church’s youth group, on the Falcon Award Selection Committee, in Spanish club, French club, speech and debate team, art club, math club, pre-med society, Academy of Science and Medicine and the California Scholastic Federation. Raymen is also on the track and cross-country teams. Raymen plans to study medicine at Johns Hopkins University and become a general practitioner.

Lisa Aukeman says, “The most effective way to lead is to set an example.” This 17-year-old senior from Central Valley Christian High School is setting a perfect example. She is student body president, Bible study leader, active in her church youth group, the student council, volleyball and is captain of the soccer team. Lisa, who plans to go to a Christian college, has been on missions to Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Bangkok, Thailand. Lisa says if she could give high school students advice, it would be, “Get involved with as much as you can. Go to the dances, the games—do it all! You won’t regret it!”

Sarah Bettencourt is a 15-year-old sophomore at Cornerstone Christian High School in Menifee, Calif. Sarah says her mother is a very special woman because whenever she needs someone to talk to, her mother is there with answers and advice. Sarah is involved with the Canyon Lake Youth Group, Canyon Lake Community Church and the gospel choir. Sarah is also a volunteer at vacation Bible school. She looks forward to attending college and hopes to be remembered as someone who has made an impact on people through her actions and attitude.

Aarion Chambers says a superior court judge once told her she doesn’t have to be perfect, but doing her best and striving to become a great person will take her far. Aarion took that advice to heart. The 17-year-old senior at Leuzinger High School in Hawthorne, Calif., is class president, a certified peer mediator, part of the FAST Club, the student government and a volunteer at the Red Cross. Aarion is also on the varsity volleyball team and has a part-time job. She plans to study forensic science at Howard University.

For Tracy-Alyse Cole, basketball is the love of her life. This 17-year-old senior at Modesto Christian High School says she spends almost all of her free time in the gym working towards an athletic scholarship. Tracy-Alyse, who plays varsity basketball, is a member of the Modesto Magic Basketball club and volunteers as scorekeeper and referee at the Modesto Slam-n-Jam, the local basketball organization. She says basketball has taken her lots of places, and she hopes it takes her to the next level—college. Tracy-Alyse plans to study criminal justice or social work and, of course, keep shooting hoops.

Meggie Ferreira’s most notable experience was when she came to the United States. She says she got to learn a new language and a whole new culture. She now speaks four languages: English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. That’s pretty impressive for this 16-year-old senior at Novato High School. Meggie’s many extracurricular activities include the French club, Spanish club, Link Crew, ROTC and community-service events. Meggie, who has been named an official delegate in the Miss Teen Marin County pageant, is also competing in the Miss Teen California pageant. She plans to obtain a master’s degree in international business.

Mauricio Franco is currently a senior at Antelope Valley High School. He is already pursuing his passion to work in the medical field by interning in the emergency room at a local hospital. He is very active in many organizations, including Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and plans to attend medical school. He would like to be remembered as a motivator, goal setter, a proactive and overall caring and giving person.

Stephanie Garcia is a senior at Animo Leadership Charter High School in Inglewood, Calif. “Swimming is my ultimate passion,” says the 17-year-old, who started swimming at the age of 7. “Swimming has been my anti drug and my stress reliever both physically and mentally.” Stephanie, who is on the Lennox Swim Team, would like to become a lifeguard in the near future. She is also enrolled in the Sheriff’s Academy in Whittier, Calif., and participates in the Sheriff’s Explorer program, the Sheriff’s Explorer Academy and the College Summit program. Stephanie plans to declare a dual major in psychology and law enforcement.

Natalie Michele Joffe is a senior at Marin Catholic High School. She is very active in cross-country skiing and co-founder of the Sierra Regional Junior Ski for Light Program, a program that helps teach blind and visually impaired youths to cross-country ski. Natalie plans to attend college, where she will follow her interests in sports medicine and psychology. She would like to be remembered by her peers as a person of integrity who was there when anyone needed a friend.

Kate Jopson is a 16-year-old at Etna Union High School in Etna, Calif. Though she says she’s simply ordinary, she’s anything but. Kate is intensely involved in both theater and dance and treks up to an hour and a half across town multiple times a week to study and perform her art. For the last nine years, she’s participated in a local community theater program that she says has given her the opportunity to meet many diverse people and build her confidence. Kate, who says she’s sang the “Star Spangled Banner” so many times that she sometimes mumbles it in her sleep, volunteers to sing at community events and teaches for the after-school 21st Century program. Kate says she isn’t sure where life will lead her, but she’s more than ready for the ride.

Chelsea Kadish, a 17-year-old senior at Santa Monica High School, is making music both on and off the field. A flutist in her school’s marching band, Chelsea is also a member of the National Honor Society, the co-founder of the Make a Wish club on her campus and part of the Best Buddies club. As a Best Buddy, Chelsea takes a special needs student to lunch one day each week to talk about school and future plans. Of her own future plans, this young lady, who last year won an Epson America Scholarship to Spain, says she hopes to be accepted to the University of California and study biological sciences.

“I have learned that I have friends who like me for who I am,” says 17-year-old Natalie Kalmink of Central Valley Christian High School in Visalia, Calif. Natalie has a great love for swimming, and she coaches 5- and 6-year-old girls on swimming basics. She is also a member of her church’s youth group and Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), a weekend retreat for students. When her family came across hardship, she took the initiative to help around the house, help out with her younger brother and sisters and be there for her parents. Natalie, who says math has always been her favorite subject, would like to go to a Christian college and major in mathematics. She plans to get her teaching credentials and teach high school math.

An 18-year-old senior at Bowman High School in Valencia, Calif., Emily Marrs is learning from her mistakes and using them to reach out to others. She speaks with junior high school students about drugs and positives alternatives, gives advice on addiction on a local radio show and speaks to parents about signs of drug use to look for in their teens. She is a part of Action, a parent/teen support group and volunteers at the YMCA. Emily says she would like to either go into real estate or become a licensed drug counselor.

“I have learned countless values and character lessons from my family,” says Mark Randall of Lutheran High School of Orange County. Mark also teaches others. The 17-year-old junior is a deacon at his church and says he would like to be remembered as someone who made a difference, gave his best effort and never surrendered to circumstances. Mark is part of the Key Club, Chamber Choir, Student Ambassador Program and varsity football. Mark, who has a 4.1 GPA, says he hopes to make his way to Stanford University and later start his own business.

If anyone knows about overcoming painful obstacles, it’s 18-year-old Rebecca Reyes. The Bullard High School senior has faced recent death in the family but is determining not to let her loss destroy her dreams. Rebecca is the founder and president of the Bullard book club, president of the Spanish club, vice president of student government and philanthropic chairman of the Assisteens of Fresno, a volunteer organization. She is also Link Crew leader, involved in the forensics club, mock trial and the Indigo Club. Rebecca, who says she hopes to incorporate journalism into her love of politics, is an intern in Senator Poochigian’s office. She will pursue a degree in politics.

Heidi Ann Riego of Perris High School in Perris, Calif., says she doesn’t want her talents to go to waste. The 17-year-old senior is working hard to assure they don’t. She says dancing and singing are her fortes, and she has been doing ballet, jazz and hip-hop dance since she was 4. The popular homecoming queen sang the national anthem, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “God Bless America” at an Anaheim Angels game earlier this year. Heidi, who has a 4.0 GPA, says she’d like to become a psychologist, a teacher and a part-time entertainer. She is vice president of the Associated Student Body and is active in Interact, the Asian club, Brothers and Sisters United, the California Youth Council, Friday Night Live and Friday Night Live Dance. Heidi says she’d like to be remembered as someone who has brains and beauty. It looks like she’s on the right track.

For Noel Swanson, music has been the most influential thing in his life. This 18-year-senior at San Ramon Valley High School in Alamo, Calif., started playing the trumpet in the fourth grade and now plays in two local youth symphonies, his school’s jazz ensemble, jazz combo and band competitions. He also teaches trumpet to middle school students, an experience he credits for giving him a fresh perspective on his musical talent. Noel is a member of the National Honor Society, president of the California Scholarship Federation, plays soccer in a local league and fences recreationally. Noel says he’d like to attend the University of Chicago, Princeton or Yale and major in physics or philosophy and minor in music.

Sharmaine Tramble says she hopes to be remembered as a strong, confident, unshakeable force who is determined to stay on course. The 17-year-old senior at Encina High School in Sacramento takes initiative and never leaves room for procrastination. She is a member of the African-American club, Spanish club, business club, Pacific Islanders club, international club and the AVID club. She is also student body president and a member of her church’s youth group. Sharmaine volunteers at the church media center as director and camera operator. Sharmaine says she plans to attend Howard University and get a Ph.D. in communications to prepare herself for a career as a sports anchor.

Nicole Zafra is a 17-year-old senior at San Ramon Valley High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, president of French club and is on the varsity tennis team. She also volunteers at the John Muir Medical Center and the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Nicole spends her summers as a mentor and a teacher’s aide for fifth graders at local elementary schools. Nicole, who’s a teen reporter for the Contra Costa Times, says she would love to find a job that combines her love for writing and the biological sciences.

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