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: Courtney Baracy
Stats: Senior, Wayne Memorial High School, Wayne, Mich.
Clubs/Organizations: Student senate, class vice president, peer mediator, cheerleading, dance team, soccer, competitive dance, honor roll, National Honor Society and volunteer and charity work.
On being a leader: “As executive board vice president of the student senate, I have had the opportunity to speak to many student groups within our high school. This has enhanced my communication skills and helped build my confidence in speaking in front of large groups.”
Impact: “My parents have had the greatest impact on my life. They have instilled upon me the importance of education and a strong work ethic. They have demonstrated this by being good role models and practicing the same.”
Future: “To go to college and earn a degree in the medical field as a dermatologist.” 

Name: Jake Beran
Stats: Senior, Central High School, La Crosse, Wis.
Clubs/Organizations: Basketball, baseball, football and National Honor Society.
On being a leader: “My senior year, I had the opportunity to be selected a captain of the football team, and it taught me a lot about leadership and teamwork. I learned the little things about being a leader, like motivating the guys to practice and making football fun for everyone who plays.”
Impact: “My parents have had the biggest impact on my life because they push me to do my best while always supporting me. I feel fortunate to have parents that care so much for me.”
Future: “I plan on going to school to be an engineer.”

Name: Gina Cicero
Stats: Senior, St. Catherines High School, Racine, Wis.
Clubs/Organizations: Environmental club, Key/Save, drama club, peer helpers, campus ministry, pep club, mock trial, Model UN, SADD, National Honor Society and National Honor Roll.
On being a leader: “One opportunity that I have had this year was to take the 20-hour training and become a peer counselor. This has been a great personal growth experience and has given me more insight into my own actions.”

Impact: “My mom has had the greatest impact on my life. She has always been there supporting and encouraging me. I look up to her kindness, devotion and raising me well by her actions.”
Future: “I have been admitted to and plan on attending Marquette University, taking the biomedical science/pre-medicine program.”

Name: Emily Eide
Stats: Senior, Central High School, La Crosse, Wis.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, Spanish club, environmental club, show choir, basketball, soccer and volunteering at the children’s museum.
On being a leader: “This past school year, I was chosen to represent my school at Badger Girls State in the summer. From this experience, I learned what a leader is. To me, a leader is someone who can hold a group together, is responsible, reliable and a good communicator.”
Impact: “My father has had the greatest impact on my life. Besides the fact that he is one of the nicest men in the world, he also has made such a successful life for himself and his family. I want to grow up doing phenomenal things and being a great person like my father.”
Future: “My plans are to attend a four-year college and graduate with a good record.”

Name: Dianna He
Stats: Junior, Richwoods High School, Peoria, Ill.
Clubs/Organizations: Student council, junior class president, Key Club, cross-country, track, SADD, madrigal singers, speech team, choir and international club.
On being a leader: “As a member of the IAJHSC (Illinois Association of Junior High Student Councils) and as current junior class president, I have definitely learned that when it comes to success or failure, motivation is the key determining factor. It’s even said that a leader’s success is largely determined by his ability to motivate others.”
Impact: “My interacting with the people associated with the IAJHSC has definitely changed my outlook on life. It has taught me so many lessons that most people don’t learn until they are much older.”
Future: “To graduate with honors from an Ivy League school.”

Name: Dan Kaskinen
Stats: Junior, Brethren High School, Kaleva, Mich.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, fund-raisers, Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, golf, basketball, DARE, academic service learning class, outstanding student in America, SEMA, mentor and President’s Education Award.
On being a leader: “When taking the leadership role while our AASL class constructed and painted our drama class’s Dracula set, I had to become the designer, producer, coordinator and overall project leader.”
Impact: “Getting my driver’s license was a defining moment of my pre-adult life. A great freedom was bestowed upon me and serves as a test of my ability, responsibility and character. Getting my license is a steppingstone in my path to adulthood.”
Future: “I plan to receive at least a bachelor’s degree in automotive aftermarket/business management.”

Name: Simon Keleel
Stats: Senior, Center Line High School, Warren, Mich.
Clubs/Organizations: Student council, senior class president, community outreach, SADD, peer mediator, blood donor and teen activist on the teen advisory board.
On being a leader: “I lead a school-wide campaign and assembly that informed students about HIV/AIDS. I learned how to interact with community agencies. Also, I learned how to communicate messages to the media and the student body.”
Impact: “Delivering Christmas presents to families adopted by community outreach and working with the homeless while volunteering with MCREST had the greatest impact on my life. I was able to look into the lives of the less fortunate. I learned that a positive spirit could help the less fortunate persevere in spite of the odds.”
Future: “I plan to attend college and study medicine.”

Name: Jeffrey Laubernds
Stats: Senior, Wayne Memorial High School, Westland, Mich.
Clubs/Organizations: Student senate, DARE, SADD, peer mediation, vocal dimensions, volunteered at local church and in National Honor Society.
On being a leader: “When I was selected as chairman of my high school’s canned food drive, I learned that there are a lot more people without food than people realize. I am glad that I had a chance to help families eat, even if it’s just for one night.”
Impact: “My parents had the greatest impact on me because they have always supported me in whatever decisions I make, and they are always there to help me.”
Future: “My plans for the future are to attend Wayne State University to major in computer engineering and minor in theater.”

Name: Caitlin Lundsten
Stats: Senior, Notre Dame Prep, Rochester Hills, Mich.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, year book club, writers’ club, track, tennis, volunteer as a religious education teacher, teen council, gymnastics, teach pre-school classes and practice with the club team at Olympia Gymnastics Academy.
On being a leader: “I act as leader every day though my work with the Rochester/Auburn Hills Teen Council. I’ve learned to speak my mind and that others are interested in what teens have to say, so it is important for all teens to get involved and speak out.”
Impact: “Being involved in gymnastics has had the greatest impact on my life. It has not only taught me to keep my body healthy and to believe in myself and overcome my fears, but it has also taught me self-discipline and organization.”
Future: “I will be attending Central Michigan University and majoring in physical therapy.”

Name: Julia Markle
Stats: Senior, Illini Bluffs High School, Mapleton, Ill.
Clubs/Organizations: Volleyball, basketball, student council, basketball coach, choir, band, yearbook, prom committee, student advisory council and National Honor Society.
On being a leader: “Being a volleyball co-captain brings on a lot of responsibility. It is hard to please everyone. I learned to appreciate every person on our team because everyone is an asset. I also learned how to inspire people to work together and enjoy the sport.”
Impact: “The main influences in my life are the people around me. My greatest fear in life is to disappoint someone who is counting on me.”
Future: “I would like to enter the medical field in order to help people. I plan to begin by earning my nursing degree and work in the emergency or pediatric area of a hospital.”

Name: Matthew Monroe
Stats: Junior, Brethren High School, Brethren, Mich.
Clubs/Organizations: National Honor Society, mentoring, community yard work and a youth group at Trinity Lutheran Church.
On being a leader: “Playing basketball since the second grade has been a big part of my life. Last year as a sophomore, I was on varsity with juniors and seniors. They were at least one to two years older than I was. This presented a challenge and made me work a lot harder during the season. I learned that although life will give you many times of struggle and pressure, you must remain calm and act accordingly to the situation.”
Impact: “The people that have had the greatest experience in my life have been my parents. I owe all my successes to them and am very thankful that I have the parents who are with me today.”
Future: “To attend college and pursue a potential degree in architecture.”

Name: Britt Stecker
Stats: Senior, Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Clubs/Organizations: The Gloves Organization and National Honor Society.
On being a leader: “I have acted as a leader in several circumstances, but one time in particular was when a friend of mine needed counseling in a personal situation. I learned that the word ‘leader’ is not always a title that is assigned to people, but rather one that presents itself while you are acting in leadership roles by choice or by chance.”
Impact: “The greatest impact on my life so far would be when I volunteered to help work in a community to make it a better place for the residents. That experience helped me to realize that although I am not able to single-handedly prevent children from being around drug dealers or from getting hurt, everyone can do something to help.”
Future: “My plans include pursuing my education in art.”

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