(back)

New York 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!

As a member of the Marie Brooks Pan-Caribbean Dance Company, Nicole Butler, 17, mentors younger dancers and helps understudies adjust to the rules of the company. “Sometimes the girls just needed help perfecting a dance routine or they just needed someone to talk to,” says Nicole, a senior at Holy Trinity Diocesan High School in Hicksville, N.Y. In 1999, Nicole was chosen to attend the first Emancipation Proclamation celebration in Ghana, West Africa, and was selected to sign the Emancipation Proclamation representing the youth. “The experience was truly rewarding and gave me a much greater awareness an appreciation of the history and experiences of the people from Africa,” Nicole says. Nicole is also a member of varsity kickline, MathFax, her school’s theater and arts program, mock trial team, yearbook and is a teacher’s assistant at a summer youth program. She plans to become a lawyer who offers free legal assistance to disadvantaged youth.

As past president of the Kodak Youth Leadership Academy, Corey Clarke, 18, has learned what it takes to be a leader. “Such an experience brought to my attention the extra steps that a leader must take in order to be effective,” he says. This Gates Chili High School senior has interned at Bausch and Lomb, volunteered at Park Ridge Hospital and has been involved in the Technology Student Association, chess club and outdoor track and field. Corey plans to attend either Morehouse or Howard universities to major in international business and minor in French.

Her involvement in Girl Scouts is one factor that has shaped Kayla Dewey’s life. This 15-year-old junior at Victor Senior High School in Victor, N.Y., is an assistant leader for a group of Brownie Scouts, who are 7 to 9 years old. “I have acquired a great deal of patience, a skill that can only be cultivated and developed from working with small children,” she says. Kayla is an officer in Key Club, is on the varsity Masterminds team at her school and a member of drama club, French club, Math Team, orchestra and National Honor Society. Kayla also works as an office assistant at an orthodontist’s office, where she has learned how to deal with all sorts of people. Kayla wants to become a doctor and work for Doctors Without Borders.

“I have basically done just about every single thing my school offers as an extracurricular activity,” says High School for Enterprise, Business and Technology senior Maria Diaz. Her activities list includes FBLA, German club, Japanese club, leadership team, student government, the school newspaper and magazine, National Honor Society, soccer, volleyball, tennis and more. She is also involved in her church with music ministry and choir. Last summer, she went to a journalism summer program at Princeton University, where they produced a special edition of the Daily Princetonian. She had to debate what articles she felt should go into the edition and fight for placement of her stories. “If you believe that you can do anything, you can do great things,” says Maria.

Amdou Doumbia, 17, is the head computer technician at the High School for Economics and Finance in New York City, where he fixes and installs new computers for students and teachers. He is also an editor for his school’s yearbook, tutors students in accounting and has interned at a nonprofit corporation and two investment banking firms. Amdou plans to study philosophy and law at college and become an international corporate lawyer. “I want to be remembered in my high school as the guy who came in…with a huge open mind ready to learn,” Amdou says. “…The guy who had a sluggish start in high school for the first two years because of factors dealing with family, but eventually was able to focus on his school work and take some of the most demanding classes available to him.”

She’s president of student council, vice president of National Honor Society, editor for Key Club and a varisty soccer, softball and basketball player. “If I commit myself to a club or team, I give 100 percent the whole time,” says Rebecca Evangelista. Rebecca, a 17-year-old senior from DeSales High School in Geneva, N.Y., is also a member of Ontario County Youth Court. After completing an eight-week training course and passing an exam, Rebecca was admitted to a peer court. “Juveniles who commit petty crimes come to Youth Court to have a trial completely conducted by their peers,” she says. “We act as the judge, jury, defense and prosecution. Giving kids a second chance…has been a rewarding experience.” She has also planned a workshop for a summit concerning America’s Promise, participated in the New Visions Medical Careers Program and more. Rebecca plans to study journalism or communications.

When a classmate wanted to start a controversial club at her high school, Shanay Yvonne Freeman, 17, helped her gather the courage to move forward. “With the leadership role as president, I convinced some of the teachers that the club was a good idea,” Shanay says. “I learned…that a leader must recognize when it is time to help and encourage those who may not have the confidence they need to get what they want.”  Shanay is also involved in her church’s drama team, student government, is a volunteer at her assemblyman’s office, is a coach for a basketball program and plays saxophone. Shanay wants to become a lawyer who specializes in juveniles, possibly a member of the WNBA and president of the United States. “I want to be remembered in high school as the girl who did everything!” she says.

Joelle Frias, 16, is a member of her school’s championship-winning track team. This junior at St. John Villa Academy in Staten Island, N.Y., volunteers to set up and clean up at local races, such as the New York City Marathon. When she’s not participating in lector’s club, student council (she’s treasurer) or acting as a peer assistant for a New York University program, Joelle works as a lifeguard and at an ice cream shop. After high school, Joelle plans to attend the University of Miami to study dentistry. She would like to become an orthodontist and open her own practice. Joelle would like to be remembered “as someone who walked around school with a smile on her face, a positive attitude and who never hesitated to give anything less than her best.”

“My family has the greatest impact on my life because without them pushing me to what I am doing now, I could have never done this,” says Faydasia Gomez, a junior at School Without Walls in Rochester, N.Y. Faydasia was responsible for encouraging people to perform at her school’s talent show. “My school is very small, so a lot of people didn’t want to perform. I inspired and encouraged them to reveal the beautiful talents they had,” Faydasia says. “I’ve learned in the past that fear is not an option.” Faydasia, 16, is involved in Urban League Black Scholars, Pris2m and White-William Scholars. She plans to study business management and law in college and open her own law firm.

Not only did Melissa Heitzenrater, 18, enter the 2004 Junior Miss Scholarship Program, but she also won! This 2004 Lakewood Area Junior Miss says, “Through the program, I had the opportunity to make 15 best friends, gain life skills and, most of all, create memories that will last a lifetime.” When a classmate’s house burned down last school year, Melissa, now a senior at Cassadaga Valley Central School in Sinclairville, N.Y., rallied student council to buy a computer for the family. “The best thing I learned was what it feels like to help someone in need,” she says. “There was no greater feeling in the world than the look on the mother’s face when we presented her with the surprise Christmas present.” Melissa wants to study English education and music at college.

Sarah Heisman, 17, plans to study psychology or social work at college and continue studying theater. Sarah attends Fairport High School in Fairport, N.Y., where she is a senior, and was student director of their production of “Hello Dolly.” Sarah has also been a peer mediator, a soup kitchen volunteer, a religious education teacher and an exchange student to Ireland. For three years, she has also been a facilitator for a program that helps youth refrain from risky behavior. “I am honored to help my peers to live healthy lifestyles,” she says. “Through effort from peers, high school students will react positively, and the domino effect is exquisite.”

For four years, Jason Jacobs, an 18-year-old senior at Fairport High School in Fairport, N.Y., has taught freshmen how to be leaders. As captain of the leadership asset trainers, Jason helps out on every activity. “Today’s youth include positive leaders, scholarship winners, athletes and honor students,” he says. “I love being a part of today’s youth movement.” Jason is publicity chairman of Fairport’s National Honor Society, has volunteered through the Center for Missing and Exploited Children and plays on his school’s lacrosse team. Jason plans to go to college, have a family and emulate his father. “He constantly has a lot on his plate…but he still has a simle on his face at all times,” Jason says of his dad. “(I) can only hope that I turn out to be half the man, husband and father he is.”

When Heidi Jung’s grandfather suffered a massive brain aneurysm, her parents sold their home to move in and care for them. “With this, I have had to learn how to live in a household managing three generations in one living space,” Heidi says. She is also a role model as a captain of her varsity cheerleading team. “Many girls follow by example and look to captains for support,” she says. Heidi is vice president of Interact Club, president of FBLA, part of her school’s gifted and talented program and has been involved in the YMCA variety show. She has also volunteered for a hospital, nursing home, soup kitchen and more. Heidi plans to become a M.D. or earn a Ph.D. in psychology. She firmly believes in the quote: I may only be one, but I still am one. I may not be able to do everything, but I can still do something. “I have used this quote to help myself understand that I alone can make a difference in our world,” she says.

As a junior at Wheatland-Chili High School in Scottsville, N.Y., Devon Leo spent two months teaching first-graders Spanish once a week. “As a leader and chaperone of three kids, I had to teach, appeal to the children’s interests and keep them under control,” says Devon, now a 17-year-old senior. Devon has been a member of the art club, Spanish club, yearbook committee, international club and ski club. She has tutored students and volunteers at church. Devon lived in England for three years and in Germany for four, as her dad was in the military. “In experiencing different cultures and ways of life, I’ve become acceptant, curious and open to others’ way of life,” she says. Devon plans to major in photojournalism at college.

In the four years since Ka Man (Alyse) Leung moved to the United States from Hong Kong, she has become participated in National Honor Society, Key Club, debate club, mock trial club, student council, volunteers at the NYU Downtown Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement and more. As a new student from a different background than many of her classmates, Alyse felt lost and terrified. So she set up a buddy program, Arista, in which incoming freshmen are matched with upperclassmen who help them adjust to high school life. “This is very important because our school has a very diverse student body made up of many different immigrant groups,” she says. The 65 members of Arista can instant message each other for support. The group also tutors freshmen in their native languages. “Most importantly, I learned that people at different racial, religious, ethnic and economic backgrounds could live and work together,” she says. “We all have much to learn from each other.” Alyse plans to become a civil lawyer.

Alevtina Malakova, a 17-year-old senior at Townsend High School at Queens College in Flushing, N.Y., has perfect attendance. She even declined a weeklong vacation to Florida with her family so she wouldn’t miss school. “a I had to accept that missing school and the lessons taught was out of the question,” Alevtina says. “I knew it would pay off because I had set my goals and would do anything to achieve them.” Alevtina does research with girls through the Forest Hills Community House Women’s Leadership Program about the effect of how women are portrayed in media. She volunteers at the Central Queens Y Teen Leadership Program that provides after-school care to kids and takes care of books as a member of the Library Squad. “As a leader, ‘never quit, and be optimistic,’ is the motto I keep in mind when helping others with work and giving advice,” Alevtina says. She plans on becoming a pediatrician.

Lucie Mansuetto, 17, has developed her public-speaking skills as a member of the Brooklyn Queens Catholic Forensic League. Lucie, a senior at Bishop Kearney High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., is also involved in Italian Club, Young American Bowling Alliance, Crafts R Us Club, Key Club and has volunteered to be an AT&T Computer Coach for the Brooklyn Public Library. Lucie was a two-time grand-prize winner for her school district’s Project Let’s End All Racism Now. She plans to study law and become a Supreme Court judge. “I am a person of faith,” Lucie says. “Faith in God, faith in family, faith in the children of the world, faith in myself that one day I will be a Supreme Court judge.”

Dominique Montgomery, a senior at Cleveland Hill High School in Cheektowaga, N.Y., has completed more than 130 hours of community service. “Every Friday for the past three years, I have volunteered at my local community center,” Dominique says. “I participated by tutoring, peer mediation, arts and crafts and recreational activities.” She is also a charter member of the cultural awareness club at her former high school, which she helped create to prevent self-segregation among students. Dominique, 17, is also involved in SADD, international club, yearbook layout, was fourth runner up for the Young Miss Buffalo Pageant and homecoming queen. Dominique plans to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C., to study advertising, foreign language and international studies. 

As elected president of the volunteer club at Holy Trinity Diocesan High School in Hicksville, N.Y., Jaclyn Pizella, 17, organized a fund-raising walk for the Making Strides for Breast Cancer organization. “I learned how to manage the time we had to plan the event as well as collecting and giving the donated money to the organization,” she says. Jaclyn is an editor of her school’s yearbook, has played varsity soccer, track and swim team, is on the MathFax team, student council, Spanish honor society and more. Jaclyn plans  to study international business and Spanish.

When Simone Press, a 17-year-old senior at the High School for Economics and Finance in New York City, went to Germany, it wasn’t to relive happy memories. The trip, sponsored by the German government, was for those who experienced 9/11 directly. “My school is the closest to the World Trade towers, and I literally felt the earth shake on that fateful day,” she says. As part of the 9/11 healing process, Simone participated in creating a movie with the Fearless Theatre Project, in which witnesses told their stories on camera. Simone has also played varsity softball and interned for Legal Information for Families Today, which helps those in New York City’s family courts navigate the system. She has also participated in the Junior Statesman Summer School at Princeton University, interned with Lehman Brothers Bank and the United Nations. Simone plans to study international relations and become an ambassador.

As sophomore class president, Jasmine  Nicole Salters, 15, is an active class participant. “I have been involved in fund-raisers, school blood drives, decorating our building, homecoming and other school functions,” she says.  Jasmine, who is currently a sophomore at Malverne High School in Malverne, N.Y., has been class president for three years. Jasmine is also a member of Athletes Assisting Athletes, a program in which she tutors other athletes in the areas of math, social studies, English, Spanish and science. She is a member of her school’s varsity tennis team and participates in student government, Quiz Club, Emotion In Motion, Amnesty International, newspaper club, community service club and her school’s annual musical. Jasmine plans to attend an Ivy League university and have a family of her own.

When volunteering to lead a high school youth group retreat, Laura Smykla, 17, gave a talk about friendship. “The greatest part was when one of the kids came up to me and told me that I was their role model,” Laura says. “Later that day, one of the boys came up to me with feelings he was having about his brother. I had the confidence to talk to him and help him.” Laura is active in her church, where she teaches sixth grade religious education and is in the youth group. She plays basketball and is considering becoming a teacher. Laura would like to study abroad in college and join the Peace Corps after graduation.

For two years, Caitlin Turner, 16, has been the assistant leader of a religious education class. “I learned how much effort is needed to successfully run a class,” she says. “And a lot of preparation is needed to make a class a fun place to learn.” Caitlin, a sophomore at Victor Central High School in Victor, N.Y., has also been a recreation leader for her town’s summer program for three years. She has been in jazz and concert bands, drama club, Girl Scouts (she’s working on her Gold Award), volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis and is an altar server at her church. At the Department of Environmental Conservation Camp she attended for two summers, she learned astronomy, went fishing with handmade lures and camped under the stars in the Adirondack Mountains. Caitlin plans to study science in college and one day hopes to play tennis at the U. S. Open.

Janelle Varin, 17, is valedictorian and president of her class. She is captain of the varsity soccer team at Wheatland-Chili High School in Scottsville, N.Y., where she is a senior. She’s also president of National Honor Society, in band, chorus, drama club and is active at her church. “I really love music,” she says. “All my friends always laugh at me for how much I love my trumpet and get excited when I attend any concert.” As a co-captain for her school’s soccer team, Janelle helped run practices and pre-game warm-ups. “I learned that effective leadership must take into account the opinions of all people affected by a decision, and that all must be informed of the final decision,” she says. Janelle plans to study music education and minor in French in college.

Diana Wu, 15, has been recognized by the NASA Student Involvement Program and the Society of Plastics Engineers. This junior at the Bronx High School of Science has also been involved in debate team, Upward Bound and more. Diana is also treasurer of her school’s weather club. “At first, I had a problem with getting the attention of members in order to collect money,” she says. But with her leadership and her adviser’s help, she was successful. “My parents have had the greatest impact on my life,” Diana says. “My mother’s poverty back in China has particularly motivated my sisters and I to strive for a bright future.” Diana plans to major in applied mathematics at MIT.

Article provided by