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: Laura Byrd
Stats: Senior, First Assembly Christian Academy, Atoka, Tenn.
Clubs/Organizations: “I am president of National Honor Society and a member of the Senior Girls Club.”
On being a leader: “One of the most rewarding experiences I have had was the opportunity to participate in the People to People program. The first year, our group went to Australia for three weeks. On the trips, I developed many friendships and learned about responsibility.”
Impact: “My parents have always been a major influence in my life, teaching me by their actions and words to be kind, honest and appreciative. When I accepted Christ, I decided to live my life in such a way that can be a credit to both of my families.”
Future: “I plan to attend Union University, but I have not yet decided my major.”

Name: Jessica Ganey
Stats: Senior, Brilliant High School, Winfield, Ala.
Clubs/Organizations: Basketball, Beta Club, FCA, FCCLA, FFA, softball, Spanish club, SGA, volleyball and yearbook.
On being a leader: “I enjoy playing sports. I have been an athlete since my first year of junior high school. Athletes form close relationships with their teammates. This relationship consists of trust, confidence and dependability.”
Impact: “The greatest impact on my life was the challenge of growing up. I have come to realize that a person has to work extremely hard to reach their goals. It takes many people a lifetime to realize the importance of those lessons while still others never comprehend their worth.”
Future: “I would like to conclude my college career with a degree in physical therapy.”

Name: Carey Hunter
Stats: Senior, Tara High School, Baton Rouge, La.
Clubs/Organizations: French club, Beta Club, Key Club, FCA, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, marching band, band, choir, bowling team, basketball, SGA and volleyball camp counselor.
On being a leader: “For the past five years, I have coached and refereed in a basketball league for first through eighth graders. I have learned that when you are in a leadership position, you must always be cautious because eyes follow you everywhere.”
Impact: “The day I gave my life to Jesus Christ. I do not claim that my life changed drastically, but my motives for all of my actions have changed.”
Future: “To attend Carson-Newman College, where I will major in elementary education.”

Name: William Marsalis, Jr.
Stats: Senior, Vidalia High School, Vidalia, La.
Clubs/Organizations: Student council, FBLA, Beta Club, church youth group, 4-H, FCLA and tutors twice a week.
On being a leader: “The camp that I attended at Northwestern State University taught me that as a leader, you have to be fair, consistent and motivated when dealing with people.”
Impact: “My sister. She excelled in everything. She had one ‘B’ on her transcript in high school. She is successful and self-motivated. Even though we are different, we have one thing in common: We like to succeed. She has been my inspiration throughout school and life.”
Future: “Obtain a bachelor’s and MBA in business. I want to head a successful business and eventually acquire my own.”

Name: Joey Miller
Stats: Senior, Marshall County High School, Lewisburg, Tenn.
Clubs/Organizations: Band, Tennis, Beta Club, Newspaper staff, basketball statistician, Junior Leadership Marshall, National Honor Society, and film committee.
On being a leader: “My experiences as a member of Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps have affected me more than any single event or accomplishment I have experienced. I can directly relate many of my best traits to the experience, and I have found that such an experience is very difficult to find anywhere else.”
Impact: “My experiences with Beta Club thus far have proven to be the most valuable for me. My duties as president requires that I make strides to get every member of the club involved in both school activities as well as community service.”
Future: “I hope to attend NYU to receive a degree in political science.”

Name: Arrington Mooney
Stats: Junior, Briarwood Christian School, Birmingham, Ala.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, swim team, soccer, key club, Meadow Baptist Church Youth group and Briarwood Student Missions.
On being a leader: “I have been blessed with the wonderful opportunity to help teach a fifth grade Bible study for girls every Friday afternoon. Through this opportunity, I have learned that the smallest things, such as my time can mean so much more than I will ever know.”
Impact: The greatest impact in my life was when I climbed Mt. Shasta. “Although the challenge seemed impossible, I gave every drop of energy, no knowing how far it would take me. If you give your best in all that you do, you will achieve what is right for you!”
Future: “I hope to further my education with a college degree and possibly play soccer at the collegiate level.”

Name: Molly Newton
Stats: Senior, Tates Creek High School, Lexington, Ky.
Clubs/Organizations: Track, cross-country, student council, Beta Club, vocal band, choir and principal’s advisory board.
On being a leader: I volunteer as an assistant coach at Southern Middle School, and it is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had. The world is full of models, movie stars and pop stars who tell kids if you want to be noticed you have to dress and act a certain way. If the kids learn anything from me, I hope they learned to be themselves.”
Impact: “My track coach has had the greatest impact on my life. She’s taught me that a great attitude and kindness are more important than being the best athlete. She is always there for my teammates and me and has always been a positive adult influence in our lives.”
Future: “I will attend the University of Kentucky. I hope to become a U.S. history teacher at a high school level.”

Name: Carrie Norton
Stats: Senior, Briarwood Christian High School, Birmingham, Ala.
Clubs/Organizations: Spanish Club, key club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, special equestrians volunteer, Church of the Highlands Youth Group and cheerleader.
On being a leader: “This summer, I was given the privilege to attend Girls’ State, where I was elected City Councilman of Recreation. I learned that I led best when I listened and applied others’ input. I now have a greater respect for the men and women who possess the real position that I held for that week.”
Impact: “Three days before Christmas 2003, a friend died in a tragic car wreck. I realized that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. God’s actions bring more questions than answers, but his truths endure forever.”
Future: “I plan to go to a four-year university and major in architecture.”

Name: Kellen Pickel
Stats: Senior, Bradley Central High School, Cleveland, Tenn.
Clubs/Organizations: FCA, volunteer at basketball and baseball camps, speaks at area elementary schools.
On being a leader: “I am always a leader. People are always watching me on the court and off it. My little brother is 7, and he looks to me as his hero. I have learned that I always need to be a good role model.”
Impact: “Two people—my papaw and my little brother. Papaw impacted me by telling and showing me I should never look down on anybody. My 7-year-old brother has impacted me by letting me realize how I need to act.”
Future: “I plan to major in education, history, sports medicine or turf management.”

Name: Kerry Rice
Stats: Senior, Donelson Christian Academy, Hermitage, Tenn.
Clubs/Organizations: “I am involved in the youth group at Madison Church, and I volunteer a lot of my time at the Benevolence Center in the food room, clothing room and Meals On Wheels. I am also in National Honor Society.”
On being a leader: “I believe that every senior in high school is but into a leadership role. As a senior, all of the younger classmen look up to you and watch everything you do. This makes me think about everything I do because I always have someone watching, and I don’t want to let him or her down.”
Impact: “I was diagnosed with a condition that causes my heart to stop beating, which then causes me to pass out. I now live my life to the fullest each day.”
Future: “I plan to attend Tennessee Tech and major either in computer engineering or computer programming.”

Name: Kendra Savage
Stats: Senior, Warren County High School, Rock Island, Tenn.
Clubs/Organizations: Excel club, Interact Club, National Beta Club, National Honor Society, student council, teen health council, softball and volleyball.
On being a leader: “My involvement with Structured Athletics for Challenged Children encouraged my goal of strengthening humanity. By being a leader in other organizations, I have experienced the harsh difficulty of coaxing a diverse group of individuals to express a common interest.”
Impact: The greatest impact in Kendra’s life was when she and her brother were involved in a head-on collision. “The experience strengthened my character and my faith. It also allowed me to see how many gracious blessings fill my life.”
Future: “I plan to attend a four-year university, where I will seek a degree in biomedical engineering.”

Name: Mallory Spinner
Stats: Senior, Breaux Bridge High School, Breaux Bridge, La.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, Beta Club, yearbook, FBLA, art club, foreign language club and has volunteered more than 100 hours as a practice teacher.
On being a leader: “When I was selected captain of the cheerleading squad, I learned that being a leader is very difficult because everyone is constantly looking to the leader for directions. The most important thing I learned was that it’s OK to ask for help.”
Impact: “This past summer, I was given the opportunity to attend a 12-day medical camp at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La. There, I learned about the systems of the human body by going to class for eight hours per day. By attending this camp, I was assured that a career in the medical field is what I want to pursue.”
Future: “I plan to attend a Louisiana university and obtain a bachelor’s degree in biology.”

Name: Jordan Williamson
Stats: Senior, Conway High School West Campus, Conway, Ark.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, National Beta Club, National Spanish Society, student congress, FBLA and a nonprofit scholarship organization called PAAAC (Progressive Association of African Americans in Conway).
On being a leader: “By being one of three seniors in our PAAAC group, we were leaders. I learned that it is important to have a positive influence on those that you lead.”
Impact: “Our family reunions have had the greatest impact on my life. Family is so important in today’s society, and mine is very important to me.”
Future: “To attend a four-year university and pursue a career in medicine or business.”

Name: Alexander Winke
Stats: Senior, Tates Creek High School, Lexington, Ky.
Clubs/Organizations: Beta Club, National Honor Society, international club, Y club, 12^th Man spirit club and chairman of the student council’s seatbelt drive.
On being a leader: “Being a co-captain for my travel roller hockey team and one of the older players on my varsity tennis team, I learned many valuable lessons in leadership. I learned when you give others respect, they will show you more respect in following your lead.”
Impact: “My parents have had the greatest impact on my life. They have demonstrated the way to be a successful and diversified individual. They instilled values in my brother and I that have set us on a proactive course.”
Future: “To attend a university majoring in pre-veterinary science/medicine.”

Name: Dylan Wright
Stats: Senior, Bradley Central High School, Cleveland, Tenn.
Clubs/Organizations: Student council, FCA, Christian Crusaders, Renaissance, FBLA and St. Therese youth group.
On being a leader: “This past summer, I attended Boys’ State. We were put in a group where we knew no one. In many events, we would have a leader and I would always try to speak up and take lead.”
Impact: “My family has had the most impact on my life. I know they are always there for me and support me in all I do. I know home is a place I can come to and find love.”
Future: “I plan to attend a college and study business.”

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