Next Step Magazine names 2008 Super Teens
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Of the 15 New York State students named Super Teens by Next Step Magazine, three are from East Amherst.

Angelo DiLoreto, Jerome Luo and Kayla Maxwell were each featured on the cover and inside the March/April issue of the magazine.

"Motivated, dedicated and extraordinary are just a few words to describe the New York students who have been named 2008's Next Step Magazine Super Teens," the magazine stated.

Next Step Magazine (www.nextSTEPmag.com) is a nationally distributed college, career and life-planning magazine for high school students.

The Super Teens contest was founded to honor outstanding teenagers in their community. Now in its 11th year, the 2008 contest recognized 185 Super Teens throughout the United States.

"The Super Teen award is given to students whose amazing activities extend beyond the classroom," says Laura Jeanne Hammond, editor and publisher of Next Step Magazine. "We are pleased to recognize these teens with this prestigious award."

The Musician

DiLoreto, a senior at Williamsville East High School, is known for his musical talents. He has been recognized on many occasions. Recently his piece, "A Music Supreme: Reminiscences of John Coltrane" an 15-minute arrangement featuring three songs by Coltrane, was performed at a concert at Kleinhans by the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Buffalo Youth Orchestra, a group with which he performs.

He is a skilled pianist and a member of East's percussion group.

Having worked at Eastman Community Music School for the past four years, he hopes to continue training there after high school.

The Amherst Bee asked the students their thoughts on life for teens today.

Amherst Bee: What has been your greatest success?

Angelo DiLoreto: "Performing in Carnegie Hall with the Greater Youth Orchestra, in March 2006. That performance was by far the greatest musical experience I have had thus far."

AB: What is the biggest challenge facing teens today?

AD: "Drugs, it's the biggest hindrance. I am very anti-drugs."

AB: How do you overcome temptations?

AD: "I've been taught to do the right thing - taught that certain things will hinder success. It's not worth it. I know from seeing what happens to other people, and statistics show 99.9 percent of the outcome of doing drugs and alcohol shows it's just not worth it."

DiLoreto said he makes every day count. He said there comes a time when teens have been taught enough to be self-reliant and hopefully they have been brought up to make good choices and strive to be the best person they can be.

He still has his fingers crossed as he waits to hear from colleges after auditioning for their music programs.

The Writer

Maxwell, a senior at Williamsville North, proves the benefits of being an independent thinker. By setting her goals and sticking to them she has already accomplished many of them.

For her Senior Inquiry Project, required of each Williamsville senior, she had planned to run a marathon. Her training had reached 17 miles when she fractured her hip. She had to change topics and as a result, achieved her greatest success.

KM: "I decided I wanted to write a novel about what I think about while running. I just finished it; it's 247 pages, called 'Hit the Road,' and I am looking to publish it. I learned a lot about myself and about reflection through this book."

AB: What is the biggest challenge facing teens today?

KM: "Thinking on your own and having enough confidence to form your own opinion. Teens need to know to stand up for themselves, and form their own opinion. It's something you need to do to be successful, and it may mean you're alone, but knowing being alone is OK."

AB: How do you overcome temptations?

KM: "I found it helpful going to church; it may sound cliché, but knowing that God can help you gave me focus. Also, having a goal and focusing on that goal."

Maxwell plans to attend the University at Buffalo and major in biological sciences and English. She said she has always worked toward getting into college, which her parents told her paves the way for future success.

(Editor's note: Luo, a student at Williamsville East High School, did not respond to The Amherst Bee's request for comment.)