His athletic career isn’t all talk. Despite his underclassman status, Tywan is a force to be reckoned with. He started freshman year with a bang by making varsity, but like some underclassmen the bench was not going to be his seat for the season. Tywan started as the defensive-back.

If that wasn’t enough to catch some attention, he followed the football season with an even more impressive basketball season. As Brentwood’s starting point guard, he took the responsibility with a grain of salt and broke Brentwood’s record with 134 steals. In addition to being a defensive star, he was also the leader in assists and points.

Although the past school year was phenomenal as far as Tywan’s self-development in sports, it was also one of bitter success. During this past year he lost one of his biggest inspirations, his teacher Mr. Jackson, who died during the season, which encouraged Tywan to push himself even harder.

“I really looked up to [him],” he says. “And without him I wouldn’t understand what life would be [like]. He taught me a lot about black history and stuff like that. He really helped me realize I can’t go anywhere without grades.”

Though Tywan is a typical teen that loves to socialize, he’s not letting anything get in the way of his dream— attending the University of Southern California. He plans to play football and basketball at USC, and he hopes to bring victory to the Trojans.
- Karyse Payne, Incarnate Word Academy

For Lafayette High junior, Chelsea Alfaro, dance is more than a hobby; it is the one thing that keeps her going. “When I dance I feel I’m in my comfort zone, and dance also surrounds me with family and friends,” she says. “The teachers and dancers [at Renee Johnson’s Dance Studio] have become my second family.”

She performs eight different types of dance: ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, technique, lyrical, modern and hip-hop. Gretchen Wiedt, one of Chelsea’s dance teachers, is highly impressed with Chelsea’s work ethic. “Chelsea works her hardest every class she takes,” she says.

“She is focused and attentive and always wanting to better herself and be a better dancer.”

Her hard work and dedication has paid off, and Chelsea has numerous awards to prove it. She recently placed seventh for her lyrical solo, Finally Home, at Showbiz. She was also awarded second place for Senior Miss Superstar at Star Systems. At the NYC Dance Alliance, she earned the Triple Threat Award. Chelsea does not limit herself to dance, she also sings and models.

She used her “pipes” at First Night in 2005 at the Centene Center, and has posed for the camera for many of Weissman’s Dancewear Catalogs. “Modeling allows me to feel like a celebrity,” she says. “You are provided with a make-up and hair stylist, cute outfits, and you get to be in front of the camera.”

Chelsea’s schedule is typically full of extra-curricular activities, and when you add on schoolwork, balance becomes key. “I take pride in school, so when I come home before dance, I like to finish my homework, so then I can concentrate on dance, which is my passion,” she says.

For Chelsea, Dance does not feel like work. “I feel at the dance studio everyone knows who I am, and why I’m there, and that is to dance and better myself; so I feel at the dance studio I can be at my home away from home, and enjoy the company of my peers and teachers,” she says.

After all of the classes, competitions and titles to match, Chelsea is most proud of the way she has stayed true to herself. “I am proud of my accomplishments, and my ability to stay true to the person I am and focus on my goals and bright future.”
- Sophia Mullineaux, Pattonville High

“Leaders grow; they are not made.” For Windsor High senior, Aaron Birkett the previous statement made by The Leaders of the Future could not be more true.

Throughout Aaron’s freshman year, he felt out of place and lost in the crowd. Without many friends and an introverted approach to getting involved, the future of high school did not look promising. Then student council took hold of Aaron’s attention.

“I had a lack of friends and did nothing,” Aaron says. “Student council was me wanting to do something.”

Joining student council was a step out of the box for Aaron. By the end of his sophomore year those around him knew he could become a future leader. “He always participated and took his responsibilities seriously,” Aaron’s guidance counselor and A+ coordinator Jan Speck says.

With a gentle nudge in the right direction by last year’s president, Andy Hays, Aaron took a chance his junior year and ran in his school’s student council election. Winning the election, Aaron will approach his senior year with significant and optimistic plans as Windsor’s student council co-president. “I am really interested in getting everyone in all four classes involved,” Aaron says.

In addition to winning the election, Aaron was also selected as a junior counselor for the Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC) summer leadership camp. While Aaron was taken aback by the selection, Speck was not. “I was very proud to have him make it as a senior in high school,” Speck says. “Most of the junior counselors are graduates. I know he will do an excellent job.”

Aaron’s leadership abilities are not only qualities that will assist him with his goals for next year’s student council, but they will also contribute considerably to his promising future outside of high school. — Katie Peats

When it comes to community service, Notre Dame High junior Jamie St. Eve tops the charts. Her resume speaks for itself: class president, vice-president of STUCO, Special Olympics volunteer and leadership conference participant. She also sponors and heads numerous community projects at Notre Dame.

One in particular, Peanut Butter Jelly Day or PBJ, helped students learn how to manage stress at the end of each academic quarter, but she did not stop there. Jamie lent a helping hand to Dimes for Diapers, which helped poor mothers secure diapers for their children.

While some teens struggle to find the time for community service, Jamie says it comes naturally. “I’ve always wanted to help people; it simply makes me feel good about myself,” she says. According to Notre Dame principal, Dr. Michelle Emmerich, her classmates notice.

“Students hold Jamie in high esteem because she walks with them, listens to them, and challenges them to try more ideas to make a difference,” Emmerich says.

Some might say that Jamie is out to make a difference, and when she returned from the UN conference on the status of women in the world, she did just that. Emmerich says that Jamie conducted an all school assembly on key issues affecting poor women worldwide.

“She collected ideas from students about how we might further address the status of women in the world. Some of these ideas will be implemented in the 2007-2008 school year,” she says.

What makes a good leader? For Jamie, it is more than being organized and responsible. “I have learned that leadership is supporting and encouraging people toward a shared goal,” she says. “It’s being a kind, patient person who is motivated to inspire others to become leaders too.” — Emily Molinaro

Imagine the heart attack that Cor Jesu Academy sophomore, Emily Siebert gave her mother when Emily turned the living room into her own private gym. “When I was younger I did back tucks off the couch,” she says. “My mother wanted me to do them right, so she enrolled me in gymnastic classes.” Emily began taking classes in third grade, and now she is a rising star who has numerous gymnastics titles under her belt.

In 2005 Emily earned the silver medal at the Regional Championship in the 12-year-old division. Recently, she has become the State and Regional Champion for level nine, Senior A division, and qualified for the 2007 Region Four Western National Team, which will take place in Spokane, Washington later this year.

Out of all the events Emily’s favorite is the floor routine. “When she does the floor routine she likes to out do herself every time,” her coach of five years, Laura Faintich says. “She is very meticulous on how she performs; everything has to be precise.”

Emily’s life is not all gymnastics. After all, she is a typical teen determined to enjoy her summer by cooling off at the pool and lounging in front of the television. As a self-described tomboy, you will never catch Emily in a dress. “I only have two dresses in my closet, and those are only for special occasions,” she says. — Leah Hayes, McCluer High

Involvement fairs generally have success in inspiring students to join clubs, but few groups can pride themselves in changing their member’s lives.

Willeesa Martin, a senior at University City High, joined the club Turning Resources and Energy in New Directions (TREND). At first, Willeesa was not entirely sure what she was getting herself into, but she soon learned that TREND devotes itself to community service. Almost four years later, she is still an active member and as a junior she was named the club’s co-president.

Over the past three years, Willeesa’s involvement has been anything but dull. She has been involved in numerous service projects, mostly for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

She has also organized holiday parties for Family Haven, a shelter for the homeless. As if that wasn’t enough, she has also lent a helping hand in a very unlikely place—a cemetery. And it does not end there. She is even part of a smoking prevention organization.

Willeesa says that had she not joined TREND she would not be the person she is now and would not understand the benefits of volunteering. “Volunteering means helping other people, and helping other people without benefits [for yourself] is what builds character,” she says.

For Willeesa, volunteering is a great way to give back. She realizes the impact that she can have on people’s lives, and she knows that volunteering is one of the most beneficial ways to spend time. — Kelly Kendall

Whenever a day becomes too much for Hancock High junior, Kyle Jackson he simply picks up his guitar and plays his thoughts away. Kyle has only been playing the guitar for two years (in addition to the drums and bass), but anyone who hears him might beg to differ.

Kyle posseses a challenge most teens would never dream of. Kyle was born without legs, and his left hand is disabled as well. Despite his obstacles, Kyle is an inspired, self-taught musician.

One of his greatest influences is Hancock teacher, Gene Rauscher. “Mr. Rauscher, my band teacher, gives me a lot of good advice and has taught me a lot about music,” Kyle says. “In addition, Ken Coutrise, the lead guitarist of my band, Conscription to Insanity, helped introduce me to music.”

Rauscher says that Kyle is the last person in the world to view himself as different. “When one observes him in the halls of our school there is no indication he is different in any way from the rest of the students,” Rauscher says. “This is primarily because he does not see himself as different. In fact he has such a great outlook you might think he never had a care, and there is nothing he will not attempt.”

This is all so very true. Kyle’s response to how he overcomes obstacles was simple—set higher goals. “When you set higher goals you reach them, and when you reach them, it relieves stress,” he says.

Kyle may be disabled in the eyes of society, but not in the eyes of those who know him. Without a doubt, Kyle’s attitude and his high standards will take him far in life. — Emily Molinaro

At first glance, Ursuline Academy junior, Theresa Goodwillie seems like a typical teenager who works hard in school and has a great group of friends. While this is all true, it is a major understatement. At Ursuline, the motto is “Serviam,” which means I will serve, and for Theresa, it’s a way of life.

During her freshman year, Theresa ran a toy drive at a Whole Kids Outreach Camp in Ellington, Mo. “When I do a volunteer project, I think the best part is seeing the result or the difference you made to someone,” Theresa says. “I mean that’s pretty powerful to know that you actually changed someone’s life.”

The toy drive was a big accomplishment, but Theresa still wanted to do more. In 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit, students from New Orleans’ Ursuline Academy lost their homes and their school, so many students traveled to St.Louis to attend Ursuline. Theresa jumped at the chance to help, and soon Chelsea Rivera was moving in until her family could get back on their feet.

“If I see someone who needs help, then naturally I am just going to help them,” she says. Theresa continues to travel to New Orleans to help with the rebuilding effort today. — Steve Schenck, Vianney High

Going to the state championships would be a dream come true for any high school athlete. For senior DeKeisha Mathis this dream did in fact become a reality.

After winning the Class Two championships in 2006, officials thought it was time to challenge the school by moving them up to Class Three. The basketball team graciously accepted the challenge and proved that they had skill and talent when they again found themselves in the championship game.

“We were the underdogs in the game,” DeKeisha says. “I was nervous.” She scored the most points in the game, 17 in total as well as hitting three three-pointers in the last two minutes of the first half.

“She’s a lethal long-length shooter,” Gary Glasskcock, DeKeisha’s coach, says. “She got us off to a great start as she scored regularly in the first quarter.”

The Panthers won the game with an outstanding score of 63 to 40. “I wanted to help the seniors to win state one last time,” DeKeisha says. “I was ecstatic when we won.”

So as Metro High School looks forward to the beginning of another challenging sports season, DeKeisha also looks forward to her team making it to the championships again. Her advice to team players everywhere: “Always trust your teammates,” she says. “Don’t try to do it all by yourself.” — Katie Peats