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!

Name: Adedayo Adeniran

Stats: Senior, Parkside High School, Salisbury, Md.
Clubs/Organizations: Marching and symphonic bands, tennis, National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, student government and drama club.
On being a leader: “I volunteer my time as a camp counselor at the local Girl Scouts summer day camp. I have learned that I can be a good leader because I have patience and I enjoy younger children. I also know that the girls are learning from me.”
Impact: “My parents have had the greatest impact on my life. They have taught me how essential it is to get a solid education and to always have determination and perseverance in anything I want to accomplish.”
Future: “After obtaining my bachelors degree in chemical engineering, I desire to get my master’s degree and doctorate.”

Name: Megan Carroll
Stats: Senior, Forest Park High School, Woodbridge, Va.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, Leaders of America, Boys and Girls Club and Learn and Serve.
On being a leader: “I had to act as leader in our AAA State final volleyball match. I learned from this experience that you should never give up on anything, no matter how hard the fight is. Good things happen to people who try.”
Impact: “The greatest impact on my life has been my physical disability disease, psoriatic arthritis. It has been something that I have had to cope with my whole life, as well as have surgery performed. This disease will forever have an impact on my life. It has taught me to work harder then anyone else, to be stronger and not to give up so easily.”
Future: “I plan to receive my doctorate in physical therapy at a university.”

Name: Robert Coates
Stats: Senior, Washington and Lee High School, Montross, Va.
Clubs/Organizations: Soccer, academic team, golf team, football, chess team, National Honor Society, Community Problem Solvers, Future Problem Solvers, forensics and more.
On being a leader: “I have been diligently working my through various ranks in Boy Scouts and have held numerous leadership positions. For the past two years, I have been working on achieving my rank of Eagle Scout. My organizational, communication and interpersonal skills have all been sharpened because of this endeavor. I also have a deeper respect for utilizing the strengths of those willing to help and of the necessity of listening to others.”
Impact: “I would have to say that becoming involved in the Fredericksburg Sister Cities Association has had the greatest impact on my life.”
Future: “I have been accepted to the University of Virginia in the College of Engineering.”

Name: Bonny Fung
Stats: Senior, Severna Park Senior High School, Severna Park, Md.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, co-chair for the minority student advisory committee, writer for school newspaper, violinist, calculus club, volleyball, basketball and a volunteer at Sunrise Assisted Living of Severna Park.
On being a leader: “In my junior year, I was named captain of the JV volleyball team. The biggest challenge I faced was leading a group of 13 new players to another successful season. I learned that it truly is not about winning or losing, but rather about enjoying what you are doing and knowing that things worth doing seldom come easily.”
Impact: “Both of my parents were denied the opportunity to attend college because of the government and war. They came to the United States in hopes of a better life for my sister and me. I understand the sacrifice they made for us, and that is how I realized the importance of school.”
Future: “To study business at the University of Maryland in College Park.”

Name: Kate Lashley
Stats: Senior, Baltimore Lutheran High School, Forest Hill, Md.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, mentoring program, Christus Honors Program, literary magazine club, cross-country, sing in praise choir and involved in mission activities.
On being a leader: “I organized a servant event for the NHS. I learned that being a leader means that you have a vision for your team and you help your team work together to accomplish the goal.”
Impact: “My sister has impacted my life greatly. She is autistic, and I have learned how to work with her. Working with her has helped me to be more confident in leading and helping others.”
Future: “I will attend college and major in English and take education courses.”

Name: Daniel LeMasters
Stats: Senior, Keyser High School, Burlington, W.Va.
Clubs/Organizations: President of student council, National Honor Society, baseball, football, Boy Scouts, drama, play director, school improvement, St. Jude’s bike-a-thon, Special Olympics volunteer and Adopt-a-Highway program.
On being a leader: “In the fall of 2003, I had the opportunity to serve as defensive captain for the Keyser High School football team. I learned that a true leader has to lead with his heart, not his mouth.”
Impact: “My uncle David has had the greatest influence on my life. He fought a courageous battle with cancer and in the end lost. He taught me to take each day and cherish it, to enjoy the outdoors and to live life to the fullest.”
Future: “I want to be a successful person, to work in my community and give back to those who have given to me.”

Name: Bryanna McQueen
Stats: Junior, Colonial Forge High School, Stafford, Va.
Clubs/Organizations: Indoor and outdoor track, cross-country, National Honor Society, Key Club, science club, Students Serving Stafford, math league, 4-H teen community service club, Interact Club, student council, FCA, Leo club, Spanish club and many more.
On being a leader: While at the World Leadership Congress, Bryanna participated in a group activity where there was a world crisis occurring. She was elected to the position of World Health Advisor. “That day, I clearly saw that the cliché statement of ‘it takes a leader to listen and speak’ really was important.”
Impact: “My grandfather has had the greatest impact on my life. He teaches me to appreciate and embrace the past. Being both in the Air Force and a war veteran, he has insight and knowledge on many things. I only wish that when I reach that age, I would continue to have the strong-willed spirit he does.”
Future: “I plan on attending a four-year university, preferably Harvard or the University of Virginia.”

Name: Amanda Meno
Stats: Junior, King George High School, King George, Va.
Clubs/Organization: Indoor track, outdoor track, cross-country, dance team, German club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Roll, principal’s honor roll, advanced diploma and two poetry publications.
On being a leader: “When I was selected captain of my indoor track team, I learned not only to be responsible for myself, but also for others. What I learned most was how important the trust and understanding of my teammates really is.”
Impact: “My father is in the United States Navy. Along with his many accomplishments came countless transfers from city to city, state to state and of course, school to school. It was always hard to move to a different school full of strangers and unfamiliar halls. These experiences have made me a stronger person and helped me to be more prepared for changes and hardships in life.”
Future: “To attend Mary Washington College to major in psychology, or go to a college where I can study government.”

Name: Brian Ogle
Stats: Senior, Frederick High School, Frederick, Md.
Clubs/Organizations: FBLA, National Honor Society, cross-country, indoor and outdoor track, SkillsUSA-VICA and the National Vocational Honor Society.
On being a leader: “National Honor Society agreed to adopt two large needy families for Christmas. I learned that leadership is merely a higher degree of servitude. Great leaders are selfless and do not care who gets credit for what. Instead, they work to find ways in which each individual can achieve his own success, whether that success is a triumph over a personal weakness or, in this instance, executing a project.”
Impact: When Brian and his friends started having problems, they quickly realized a lot of things. “I learned the importance of humility,” Brian says. “Pride prevents progress and destroys teams.”
Future: “Business and finance has been a deep passion of mine for nearly seven years, and I want to study business in college.”

Name: Samantha Polk
Stats: Senior, Musselman High School, Martinsburg, W.Va.
Clubs/Organizations: 4-H, Equine Adventures Club, gives riding lessons, Spanish club, peer tutor and National Honor Society.
On being a leader: “Being the oldest in clubs allows the younger kids to come to me for help with paperwork or saddling a horse. I have learned about patience, understanding, teamwork and critical and quick thinking.”
Impact: “The entire experience of school has definitely had the greatest impact on my life. School has taught me how to work hard, appreciate teachers and friends and how to deal with disappointments.”
Future: “I will attend four years of college at West Virginia University and major in animal science.”

Name: Stephanie Shaffer
Stats: Senior, Century High School, Woodbine, Md.
Clubs/Organizations: Student Voice Committee, Century’s drama program, Spanish club, French club, tennis, National Honor Society, SGA, SADD, CCSGA, debate club, National Thespian Society, ski club, spirit club and peer mediator.
On being a leader: “I had to act as leader when I was appointed director of the freshmen one-act play. My directing of this play was one of the most self-satisfying experiences I’ve had!”
Impact: “My parents have had the most profound impact on my life. With my mother’s constant love and support, I grew from a shy and fearful child into the emotionally strong and self-confident young woman I am today.”
Future: “I have recently been accepted to Colby College in Waterville, Maine. I plan to major in international relations with minors in French, Spanish and possibly German.”

Name: Courtney Trenary
Stats: Senior, Parkside High School, Salisbury, Md.
Clubs/Organizations: Student government, Young Life, cheerleading, yearbook committee, child sponsor, tennis, National Honor Society and S.I.T. Representative.
On being a leader: “The test of a leader is accomplishing goals. The skills that were sharpened were learning to delegate, letting go of perfectionism, managing time and organizing information and material. I have a problem with trying to do everything myself, but this year I learned to delegate. I realized one person could not do it all; it takes a team.”
Impact: Young Life membership has given me the support to remain active and energized in extracurricular and academic adventures. I like to think that by bringing others to Young Life camps and meetings, I have helped them grow as well. Supporting one another is what being a Christian is all about.
Future: Courtney intends to study psychology in college. “I love helping people and communicating with them.”

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