 "Photo: Tricia Buchhorn")
From childhood games that involved digging a trench in the dirt and filling it up with water, to a day at scout camp when a herd of deer made its way through the tents, 17-year-old Tyler Johnson, a senior at Stevens High School, has always had a love of the outdoors.
"I don't like to be confined in a building. I love the sun," Johnson said.
Since the age of 8, Johnson has enjoyed the outdoors as a Boy Scout, trying to reach the highest position of an Eagle Scout.
"When you let people know you're an Eagle Scout, it shows them you have a lot of determination," Johnson said.
His love for the outdoors has even caused him to set up a tent and camp out in his backyard.
"Kids in the neighborhood would come by and stay in the tent with me. We were all really good friends, so we'd go out and roast marshmallows," Johnson said.
But his favorite activity is swimming. Though the apartment or kiddy pool doesn't cut it.
"Pools have chlorine and they're very still with only a certain amount of space to move around in. I like how rivers and lakes are more open with fish and plants," Johnson said.
Johnson doesn't like a few outdoor pests, such as bees, spiders and scorpions, but he'd still rather be outside.
"If I could choose whether to live indoors or outdoors, I'd rather live outside," Johnson said.
- Linda Manzanares
Aside from participating in many organizations such as the Red Cross Club, PALs, photojournalism and meeting the Blue Man Group, Johnson High School graduate Alena Ramirez finds that helping people is what makes her life meaningful.
"I like working with younger kids," Ramirez said. "I like to see what their aspects in life are and I like hearing their opinions."
In high school, Ramirez also was a member of other clubs. Ramirez was the historian of the Artorgraphy Club, an organization for artists and photographers. She also is a member of Key Club and Friends, a service organization to improve the school.
"I sat with a boy named Jacob everyday at lunch because nobody else did, and he would always tell me about his problems," Ramirez said.
Jacob, a freshman, was not a participant of the PAL program, but a special education student at her school.
"I sat with Jacob since the second week of school because in PALs, we were made aware of students who weren't able to communicate as fast or as easy with others, and by being aware of that there were kids at lunch who would sit and eat by themselves," she said.
Ramirez's plans to study photojournalism at San Antonio College and major in special education at Texas State University.
"I love the thought of being able to help people progress their levels of education in life."
- Krystal Barcenez
McCollum High School graduate Fernando Rios Jr., 18, loves pricey name-brand clothes.
"I think that if it's not expensive, it's not worth buying," Rios said.
Rios loves the feel and look of fabric, adores a Victoria's Secret lotion and enjoys shopping at stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Guess and Armani Exchange.
"It feels good (to wear) something that not many people own," he said.
Rios' high-maintenance spending began his sophomore year when he got his first job.
Rios said his sense of style gives him confidence.
"My friends tell me that I look good or ask me for my opinion on how they look," he said. "If I'm not dressed sensibly, they ask if anything is wrong."
With college approaching, Rios realizes he has to rein in his spending.
"I'll become a smart shopper and start looking for reasonably priced clothing at the mall," Rios said.
Rios also plans to start shopping at thrift stores.
"I find it a challenge because I have to find something that fits and looks good," he said. "I'll still be wearing name -brand."
Rios will attend San Antonio College to study journalism and hopes for a career designing or writing about clothes.
- Mariel Pachecano
Mariel Pachecano, 17, editor of The Talon at Stevens High School, dreams of having an enchanted wedding at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
She dreams of being married in one of the bridal dresses from the Princess Collection of either Jasmine or Belle available at http://disneybridal.com.
She's in love with everything that deals with Disney, from Disney pens, cups and stuffed animals to Disney bridal gowns.
She applied to work at the Disney Store in Ingram Mall in January.
"I wanted to listen to Disney music all day and get discounts on the sippy cups," Pachecano said.
Unfortunately, the store wasn't hiring until February, and when February came around, Pachecano was working at Carino's Italian Restaurant.
Pachecano fell in love with all things Disney at age 10 when her 20-year-old sister returned from Disney World with tales of the fun she'd had there.
The younger Pachecano had visited the theme park when she was 8, but she became homesick and was frightened of the Haunted Mansion.
Her older sister's stories inspired Pachecano to return to the Magic Kingdom, but she didn't make the trip until this year.
"It's a magical place," she said. "If you don't love Disney World, you're dead on the inside."
- Fernando Rios Jr.
Jefferson High School senior Bernice Barrera, 17, loves escaping into the world of books.
"My friends call me the human dictionary," Barrera said.
"I made a resolution to read 100 books before the year ends," she said.
Barrera already has finished many books this year, making sure to hit many of the classics, including "Pride and Prejudice." Barrera said her favorite genre of writing is science fiction.
Taking her reading to another level, she used to post a book review on her blog telling her opinion on each story.
"I would read a book during the week, then the following Monday, I would post a review about it," she said
Barrera spends most of her free time in her high school library, where her friends always know she'll be.
"My friends know I love to read," Barrera said.
Barrera has attended many parties celebrating books.
"I went to a 'Breaking Dawn' book release party," she said. "I wore a Team Edward shirt and my little sister wore a Team Jacob shirt."
Barrera added that she also has attended a signing party with George Lopez for his book "Why Are You Crying?"
Aside from reading, Barrera is very close to her family - especially her grandparents.
"They believe in me when I sometimes don't believe in myself," she said.
- Justin Chesnut
Since she was 6 years old, Linda Manzanares has loved Tim Burton's films.
The film that would affect the rest of her life was "The Nightmare Before Christmas," which she said was extremely scary at the time.
After a while, she eventually went from being scared by the movie to being amazed by it. She has since bought a copy and has seen it in 3-D at the movie theater.
She also owns "The Nightmare Before Christmas" posters, slippers and a comforter.
"Nightmare before Christmas" is not the only Burton film she loves.
"I own almost all of Tim Burton's movies," Manzanares said.
She also is a fan of the movies "Sweeny Todd," "Corpse Bride" and the short film "Vincent."
Writing is also something that Manzanares enjoys. She has written short stories, which she said were inspired by the dark films Burton creates.
The fact that the story can be very dark and creepy, yet have a light side is something that she loves. Those aspects are what she hopes to capture in her stories.
Burton also has inspired Manzanares' artwork. She likes to draw and has frequently drawn out scenes and characters from Burton's films, such as the scene with the song "This is Halloween" from "Nightmare Before Christmas."
Manzanares also has created pottery inspired by "Nightmare before Christmas." She made the main character "Jack" out of clay, which is now on display in her bedroom.
- Tyler L. Johnson
From participating in vacation Bible school plays at the age of 6 to performing more than 20 times in stage productions by age 16, Justin Chesnut has never tired of stage life.
His three years in middle school choir helped him prepare for the challenging plays and musicals at Bandera High School.
Chesnut's first play in high school, "Christmas Comes To Detroit Louie," was an eye-opener.
"Crazy. Scary. Yikes," he said about his first role as an old guy on a couch. "You do it a lot and it's hard to make sure you love what you do, especially when it gets stressful."
Even though the production process is overwhelming, Chesnut keeps an open mind.
"Once you get to opening night and the curtain's about to go up, it's all worth it," he said.
Chesnut, editor-in-chief of The Bulldog Times, is a huge fan of Broadway, and if he ever got the chance to write a screenplay, it would be a dramatic musical.
Chesnut's favorite Broadway production is the musical "Rent," which was adapted as a full-length movie in 2005.
"That movie totally changed my life," he said. He loves the way people of diverse backgrounds can put their differences aside and be great friends.
Chesnut is excited about his senior year and plans to be in two or three plays.
"Looking back, I've definitely grown so much, I'm proud of myself," Chesnut added. "If you don't know me now, you will in the future."
- Bernice Barrera
While some people take 18 years to figure out what they want to become, Brent Harris has known since the age of 4.
It was while sitting in a church pb>ew that he envisioned his future vocation - a pastor.
"It was a calling on my life. It was something I not necessarily wanted to do, but something I was called to do," Harris said. "I felt that was my life's purpose."
He attributes his passion to a family tradition of going to church almost every Sunday.
"Whenever my mom was sick or for some reason we couldn't go to church, I would want to have church in the house," Harris said. "I had a little toy drum and I would play a church song I knew. I would find a Scripture and preach to my parents based on what I knew."
Harris was the editor-in-chief for his school newspaper, The Talon, for three years. He began his journalism career to prepare himself for his future endeavors.
"I saw people that preached sermons that were unprepared, and I didn't want to be like that," Harris said. "I saw writing as a way to organize thoughts for my future."
As Harris is in the beginning stages of becoming the pastor he wants to be, he gives credit to his pastor, Richard Rubi.
"He's inspired me a lot. He has always taken time to guide and counsel me," the Stevens High School graduate said.
- Jackie Fernandez
A constant complaint among military families is creating new friends, but for Judson High School graduate Keri Clark that has been the smallest issue.
"Making new friends was the easy part," Clark said. "Saying goodbye was hard."
According to Clark, 17, the place itself is what makes each move a challenge.
"It's hard, because you get so used to one place, just to get up and go somewhere new again," Clark said. "But it's not a bad thing. I like going to new places."
Born in Idaho, Clark traveled most of her life.
"Life on McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey was awesome," Clark said.
"I love cities, and it was only 15 minutes away from New York City."
Clark has now been a resident of San Antonio for two years.
"People are nicer down here, like a weird nice, though," Clark said. "Up in New Jersey they were really rude, but I like that they were rude. It was amusing."
During her travels, Clark has become a driven and independent student with a passion.
Clark graduated early and excelled as an editor-in-chief for Judson's newspaper The Satellite. She plans to attend San Antonio College in the spring.
- Katherine Sanchez
The 99-degree temperature does not deter Maribel Molina, 17, from stepping onto the marching field at Lee High School.
Molina is the drum major of the band and will be co-editor for the yearbook, The Traveler.
"It is a lot pressure to be out and conducting," Molina said. "I am responsible for 120 people, and all the while, everyone is looking at you."
Molina's dream of playing the flute was born when, as an 8-year-old, she watched her brother perform at his high school.
Wanting to step up into a leadership position, Molina tried out for drum major during her sophomore year.
"I considered it a challenge, and I like challenges," Molina said. "I had really hoped to be picked and I was a bit surprised when the directors did."
For Molina, band serves as an outlet to forget about problems or to simply relax and unwind in the marching show.
"When you are out in the heat, it is easy to forget what you were mad about," Molina said. "I focus on doing my best while conducting up to tempo and keeping the band together on the field."
The eight-hours-a-week practices are worth the effort.
"I like knowing that people approve of what we've been working on for months," Molina said.
- Karen Becerra
Krystal Barcenez, a 17-year-old senior at McCollum High School, found her passion in performing with the color guard in her junior year.
The order and discipline she's learned as a member of the guard has high-stepped into her everyday life.
"I totally feel better about myself when people are watching me perform," Barcenez said. "I mean who else can spin a 6-foot flag, spin and toss a triple (flip) with a wooden rifle, dance and act at the same time, while keeping a smile and look as cool in a ridiculous costume?"
She is an unofficial leader of the guard, which performs with the band during football season and marching competitions.
She joined the guard as a junior but didn't embrace the activity until a new director challenged her abilities by requiring daily workouts and 7-minute mile runs.
She soon realized how eager she was to do more with the color guard the following year and how it became a part of her life.
Barcenez's friends have noted that when she leans into her locker, she gracefully lifts her hand and points her toe as if she were about to dance.
Now when she listens to her iPod, she envisions routines for the squad.
"While listening to music in my room one day, I started imagining routines being performed in my head. I would replay the songs sometimes eight different times when I pieced a movement together," she said.
Besides color guard, Barcenez has a passion for publications and will be editor-in-chief of Brand-it Magazine.
"My leadership qualities are similar when it comes to publications and guard," Barcenez observed. "This upcoming year, they will both be like 'my baby.' Both require leadership and dedication to be successful."
- Alena Ramirez
Jackie Fernandez is passionate about one thing: music. Though she does not play an instrument or sing, she likes to listen.
"I listen to everything except hard rock and metal," said Fernandez, 17, who is known by her friends as the "human iPod."
In the fall, Fernandez plans to take guitar lessons at school as an elective.
"I get inspired when I hear my favorite artist play their guitar," Fernandez said. "I want to learn to play my favorite songs."
The current editor-in-chief of the Cornerstone Church Christian School newspaper, the Cornerstone Chronicle, also enjoys attending concerts.
"I've been to a minimum of 15 concerts since the second grade," Fernandez said.
Those concerts include the Backstreet Boys, Hannah Montana, the Jonas Brothers, Fall Out Boy and Jeremy Camp.
The farthest Fernandez has traveled to a concert was to Dallas, about 275 miles, to see the Jonas Brothers. At the age of 14, a friend got Fernandez mosh pit tickets to a Fall Out Boy concert.
"I was very claustrophobic," Fernandez said, recalling the mosh pit as a scary experience. "I doubt I will ever do it again."
Fernandez said her cousins influenced her love for music.
"My oldest cousin used to drive me to school in kindergarten and he would play his music loud in the car," she said. "His sisters are who really got me into the boy bands like the Backstreet Boys, and *NSYNC."
This "human iPod" has more than 2,000 songs on her iPod.
"I download songs everyday," she said. "I'm always finding something new."
For Fernandez, music often helps her in many different aspects.
"Music is an escape for me," she said. "There is always a song that can relate to me."
- Brent Harris
Fashioning her user name brandonlov after The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers, senior Karen Becerra, 17, writes for a Web site and has fans all over the world.
Along with being a second year editor-in-chief of The Chariot, Warren High School's newspaper, she writes short stories for a site called fanfiction.net. Fan fiction involves readers of popular stories creating their own plots using their favorite characters. After reading other people's versions of her favorite books, she wrote her first fan-fiction story in January.
"I was nervous because I thought, 'Who's going to read this and are they even going to click on it?'" Becerra said. "But I got a lot of positive feedback, so I just kept writing.
"People are reading from Mexico, England and Africa, even China."
She has written a story based on "Harry Potter," coupling opposite characters Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger.
"It's post-Hogwarts, so they're grown up," she explained. "Draco has a son. Hermione meets his son and they form a bond.
Eventually, Hermione and Draco are going to be together, but it's not there yet."
So far, 145 reviews have been posted. She plans to pursue a career in writing fiction. "I actually want to write a book. I think it's really good practice."
- Maribel Molina
Four teammates short, one more game to go and a mild concussion, team captain Katherine Sánchez took the field and scored all the goals for her lacrosse team, tying the score 2-2.
Sánchez's team is the only competing high school girls lacrosse team in San Antonio.
They qualified for the playoffs until the swine flu epidemic canceled the playoffs.
"Lacrosse is football without helmets," Sánchez said.
Along with playing club lacrosse, she also enjoys films and photography and hopes in the future to become a movie director or a scriptwriter.
"My entire life revolves around art," Sánchez said. "I live and breathe art."
Sánchez, an independent 17-year-old senior from Roosevelt High School, attributes much of her success in life to her grandmother, who she sometimes referred to as her second mom. Until Sánchez was 5, her grandmother helped raise her.
Sánchez's grandmother continued to be apart of her life until she was a high school sophomore when her grandmother passed away. After that she described her life as being "like a dramatic movie," but she remained optimistic. "I hope it will end like a Lifetime movie," Sánchez said.
Sánchez said she used films to cope with her grandmother's death. Her favorite is "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" with Jim Carrey.
- Keri Clark
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