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!
Tori Alston is always willing to lend a helping hand. A senior at Weldon High School, she helps out as a tutor for middle school students and as a Meals on Wheels volunteer. Tory is also active in Students Against Destructive Decisions and the National Honor Society. She attended the Med Tech summer internship program and the Rotary Youth Leadership Award conference. Tori is currently ranked number one in her senior class, and she hopes to attend Hampton University to major in business entrepreneurship.
Drum major Hilary Barkin of Clayton High School says managing a group of her peers was an incredible experience that taught her how to resolve conflicts, make compromises and hold others accountable. She is president of the SADD club, a participant in a tutoring program for Hispanic children and part of her church youth group. Hilary was a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership junior staffer volunteer. She plans to attend either N.C. State or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to major in biology. She wants to attend medical school and work in a nearby hospital or in the missions field.
Merissa Baxter of Victory Christian Center School stands out from her peers with her compassion, wisdom and integrity. She shares these qualities as member of many school clubs including the computer club, career club and science club. Merissa is also involved in Carolinas Health Care’s Mentorship Program and was a volunteer at Presbyterian Hospital. Her interest in the medical field was confirmed after shadowing her dentist. “It gave me the opportunity to see what being a dentist involved, and it allowed me to develop relationships with people who can help me reach my goal,” she says of the experience. After graduation, Merissa plans to attend a four-year university and continue on to dental school.
Katy Betz of Highlands School thrives on volunteer work. “I realize that no time is wasted that is spent doing something worthwhile for other people,” she says. Katy volunteers with the Chamber of Commerce, library, nature center and biological station. She is also president of the Beta Club and is involved with her church’s outreach committee and the Interact Club. In the future, Katy would like to possibly become a National Geographic photographer or some other career where she could travel to remote places and bring the beauty and wonder of the world to everyone.
E.E. Waddell High senior Brittany Caldwell displayed her leadership qualities early as the first sophomore drum major at her school. She has continued to develop these skills as president of her student government, Key Club and Beta Club. As leader of the Key Club, she helped initiate several new service projects and set a high standard for future presidents. Brittany is also the captain of her track and field team and active in her church’s dance ministry. She plans to major in mass communications.
Freshman John Campbell is ahead of the game at Lumberton High School. Serving as class president, he has already stepped into positions of leadership that are sure to grow as he continues through his high school career. John participates in the quiz bowl team, science club, African-American Student Union and is active in his church. In addition, he has been honored for his skill with the clarinet by being named to the All-State band. John was also chosen to attend UNC-Chapel Hill’s Catalyst conference for Young Leaders. He hopes to eventually attend Duke University and major in biochemistry and become a pediatrician or pediatric surgeon.
Qualities of leadership, compassion and integrity set Hannah Carroll apart from her peers at Smithfield-Selma High School. Hannah’s compassion for others has led her to travel throughout the U.S. and Canada on mission trips with her youth group. This year, she will travel to Honduras as part of a medical missions team. A member of the Allied Health Science program at her school, Hannah hopes to major in nursing and work with cancer patients and the terminally ill. This desire to help patients stems, in part, from the loss of her youth leader to cancer in 2002. As part of her senior project, Hannah raised more than $800 for cancer research by organizing a community yard sale. An active participant in student government, countless extracurricular activities and community service projects, Hannah enjoys working to make the world a better place.
Active in his community, school, church and on the athletic field, Jonathan Clemmons distinguishes himself at Swansboro High School. He was selected to attend the North Carolina Governor’s School, where he studied mathematics. Jonathan is president of the student government, member of countless schools activities and recipient of the Principal’s Leadership Award. In addition, he is a leader on the cross-country and baseball teams. One example of his ability to overcome obstacles was displayed when he lost his shoe a quarter into a cross-country race. Rather than stop, he slipped off the other shoe and kept running. He finished the race with bare socks. After high school, Jonathan will attend N.C. State University and major in business management with a minor in sports management.
Music-lover Sarah Fenske has been playing instruments since she took up piano in third grade. Because you can’t march with a piano, she took up flute and piccolo as well. Sarah also plays in her church’s hand bell choir and recently added the organ to her list of instruments. “Music has had the greatest impact on my life,” she says. “It has allowed me to express my emotions and my individuality.” In addition to being flute section leader, Sarah is a member of the National Honor Society and quiz bowl team. She also leads the drama club; chairs the dance marathon committee, which raises funds for UNC Children’s Hospital; and is president of her church’s United Methodist Youth Fellowship. After graduation from Louisburg High School, Sarah plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and pursue a master’s degree in music education so that she can become a band director.
Scholar-athlete Arika Flanagan of Goldsboro High School believes in walking with integrity through every situation life brings her way. As a cheerleader, band member and president of her school’s National Honor Society, she represents her school well while living out this belief. Arika also is treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta (a math honor society) and a Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club. Hardworking and dedicated, she is already working on her future as a Jumpstart Student at her local community college. Eventually she plans to pursue sports medicine at Duke University and work for a professional athletic team. Arika’s motto is “excellence without excuse” as she strives to be a positive role model in her school.
“Everything I do, I do 100 percent,” says senior Hayley Flynn of Kings Mountain High School. Athletically, she has been named MVP and all-region in track and cross-country, and she holds school records in swimming. Because of these accomplishments, Hayley was named “Best Female Athlete” by her peers. Musically, she has played clarinet for six years and has been drum major for the past two years. Academically, Hayley has excelled as a junior marshal and served as a page for the governor. Active in her church, Hayley plans to go to Honduras on a mission trip. She also volunteers as a tutor for the mentally handicapped. After graduation, Hayley will pursue a degree in special education with a minor in Spanish.
Jessyca Garrett doesn’t have the usual hobbies of a Hayesville High School senior. An amateur radio operator and tee ball coach, she enjoys being unique. Jessyca says her experience as a T-ball coach has helped her to become a better leader by helping her develop patience as she teaches the young players the importance of good sportsmanship and the meaning of teamwork. At school, she is a leader in her local SADD chapter, National Honor Society, the Clay County Tobacco Awareness Group and Mu Alpha Theta. In addition, Jessyca also enjoys being Hayesville’s mascot and writing poetry. She plans to attend Clemson University and major in civil engineering.
Senior Morgan Hargrove is already making positive changes for her school and community. Seeking new outlets for service is one of the traits that sets Morgan apart from her peers. Taking the initiative, Morgan implemented a Relay for Life event at her school to benefit the American Cancer Society. “I learned to never underestimate what you are able to accomplish when you believe in and are passionate about a cause,” she says of the experience. Morgan attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth World Leadership Congress conference, where she was inspired to use her life and leadership skills to improve the world. Active in a myriad of school and community activities, Morgan hopes to be remembered at C.D. Owen High School as a proactive and passionate student.
Megan Harrigan takes being the “new kid” in stride. When she moved to
Hopewell High School in 2001, she decided to set an example for her new school and be a leader rather than receding into the background. Megan, who moved three times during her K-12 years, has a special ability to adjust to new surroundings and thrive. A member of the varsity women’s tennis team, Megan works hard to achieve the high goals she sets for herself. She also was a founding member of the school’s largest club, the community service club, which boasts more than 100 members. Her two favorite service activities are volunteering at a local soup kitchen and helping elementary students learn to read. Megan’s compassion for others is also exemplified by her desire to be a physician and to travel to Third World countries to perform reconstructive plastic surgery on children.
Hard work and determination paid off for junior Nikida Koraly of Croatan High School. She successfully spearheaded an effort to make her school safer by convincing the Department of Transportation to change a light at a nearby hazardous intersection. By writing letters to every elected official she could think of, Nakida eventually got the light changed at her own school. In addition, DOT decided to revise its practice for traffic signal operations in the vicinity of all schools in the state. A leader in many school activities and a dedicated volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, she hopes to attend UNC-Chapel Hill and obtain an MBA.
Fantasy Lozada led a volunteer project at Westover High School to collect school supplies for underprivileged children in Africa. WestoverKindness, as it was called, required Fantasy to lead others to mobilize the community and local businesses to collect more than 300 bags of school supplies for African children. Her leadership is also apparent in her role in student government and as captain of the women’s varsity tennis team. Fantasy credits her guidance counselor with helping her discover her own potential for leadership. “No matter how unsure of myself I was, she always gave me an encouraging smile that told me nothing is impossible,” she says. Fantasy hopes to leave her imprint on the world by continuing to help the troubled children of the world. She plans to eventually obtain a Ph.D. in child psychology and assist people from many cultures.
Matthew Mizesko of Croatan High School challenges himself academically and physically. Despite the time commitments of being a member of the varsity soccer, basketball and baseball teams, he continues to excel in class. Matthew is senior class president and is involved in the Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He attended the Legislator’s School for Youth Leadership Development in the summer after his sophomore year. Matthew plans to attend Liberty University and major in biology with intentions of pursuing a career in forensic science.
Living out her faith is important to Shannon Morrison of West Charlotte Senior High School. For her senior exit project, she developed a mentoring program at her church for disadvantaged children named E.M.P.O.W.E.R, or Excellent Mentors Providing Outstanding Working and Entertaining Relationships. She is a member of numerous clubs, including the National Honor Society, Debate Club and DECA. Shannon is editor of the yearbook as well. Her goal is attend the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earn a degree in business administration. She hopes to start her own business and become the “most successful African-American female of the century.”
“Most Valuable Player” is one superlative Ashley Morgan Oxendine prizes on the field and in life. As the MVP on the softball and volleyball team every year at Southern Vance High School, she has shown her skill and commitment to playing well consistently. Ashley, a Lumbee Indian, is not limited to athletics, however, as her number three class rank and first chair trumpet accolades attest. She is also valuable to those in need as the president of her school’s Leo Club, which helps people with disabilities. In addition, Ashley is editor of the yearbook and was named state level winner of Wendy’s Heisman Award for student athletics.
Academic excellence and volunteer work help set Andrew Reep apart from his peers at North Lincoln High School. As a junior at a new high school, he has served as drill sergeant to help jumpstart the growing marching band. “I believe I have set the tone for discipline, hard work and cooperation for the next season,” he says. Andrew also is committed to community service and works with his local food shelter as often as possible. He also helps with the local Christian Ministries as a full-time volunteer and is on the student advisory council for the City of Lincolnton. Following graduation, Andrew plans to attend N.C. State University and major in chemistry.
A positive attitude, ambitious outlook and adaptability are qualities that have allowed Hillside High School senior Alexis Richmond to excel in life and in school. Her school activities include being stage manager for school theater productions and a member of the drama club, Mu Alpha Theta, the National Achievers Society and STAR (Students Taking Academic Responsibility). As a participant at Girls State,
Alexis learned the important role everyone plays in other lives and how to make sure that role was positive. A positive role model in her own life is her mother. “She has supported me in everything that I put my mind to and has encourage me to strive for excellence even when there were many obstacles in my way,” says Alexis.
From rebuilding a hurricane-ravaged community to volunteering at a homeless shelter to scraping and painting houses, Haley Seymour of Greensboro Day School has helped people across the nation. She also participates in numerous school clubs, such as the National Honor Society, National Hispanic Honor Society and a choral group. As a member of the Student Council, Haley implemented a tutoring program for underprivileged children through her student council. She plans to attend Furman University, study abroad in Spain and continue to do mission work.
Tensie Taylor, a junior at Louisburg High School, is vice president of the National Honor Society and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and her school’s dance marathon committee. Tensie’s concern for others is evident in her volunteer work as a middle school tutor. As a leader of her sophomore class, she learned that to lead, one must be able to listen well and to follow when necessary. These skills will be useful as she travels to Great Britain and Ireland this summer as a People to People student ambassador. After graduation, Tensie plans to attend North Carolina State University to pursue a degree in computer engineering or psychology. “I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference,” she says.
Matthew Williamson marches on despite recently battling Hodgkins Lymphoma. An active member in the Southern Alamance High School band, he leads by example and commands the respect of his peers. His cancer has taught Matthew to understand others and appreciate their struggles; he knows how valuable life is. He loves being a “bandie” and currently serves as trumpet section leader. “Through this experience, I learned that the responsibilities that come with leadership are great. However, when you see what is accomplished through your efforts, the reward is greater still,” he says. Matthew is currently free of cancer, and he plans to major in music education and minor in computer programming at a four-year university.
Shannon Yates has transformed the loss of her mother to breast cancer into a catalyst for attaining her goals. “It is why I force myself to be all that I can,” she says. A senior at Ashe County High School, Shannon excels in a number of activities including JROTC, where she serves as a Cadet Major, the second-in-command cadet position. She is also active in Relay for Life as a team captain and helps with other volunteer opportunities. Shannon has received numerous academic awards and is in the top five in her class. She plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill and pursue a medical career.
