Local teens set summer goals

Summertime is here. School's out and while there's plenty of time to relax, many local teens have goals they want to accomplish, too.

Alex Helmer Alex Helmer, 15, is a student at High Point Regional High School. She has big plans for this summer.

“I want to start my portfolio for college.”

Enthusiastic about pursuing a fashion career in artistic design, Alex says she realized her love of sketching during her freshman year through the Teen Arts program held at Sussex County Community College. “I’m gonna’ keep sketching and creating designs in order to go to Centenary College.”

She works at it every day. “I’m always inspired,” says Alex.

Rachel Rome Rachel Rome, 15, will be a sophomore this coming year at High Point High School. She's looking forward to a new experience this summer.

“I want to be able to say that I’ve been out of this country.” Next month, her family is taking a trip to Europe that has been planned for “about two years,” she says.

The idea for the vacation began through High Point Regional. “My sister wanted to go to Italy with the school, and my dad thought, ‘For the price of it, the whole family could go!’ Then it escalated to be this big trip.” The family will be visiting London, Paris and Rome. Rachel says for her the trip highlight will be visiting Pere Lachaise Cemetery. "That’s where Jim Morrison is buried. That’s where I really want to go.”

“I’m really nervous because I’ve never been on neither a train nor a plane, but that is how we will be traveling.” The family will arrive in England by plane, stay there four days then move on to Paris by train for three days, then by train to Rome.

By the end of the trip, Rachel hopes to gain a larger understanding of the geography and culture of Europe.

Colleen Carney Vernon Township High School student Colleen Carney, 17, happily accepted her title as Miss Vernon in April of this year. One of her goals for the summer is to become Queen of the Fair during the competition taking place in August at the New Jersey State Fair.

She first heard about the Ms. Vernon pageant from a friend of her mother, Catherine Carney. Soon after, Colleen sent in her application listing her accomplishments and community service to the Kiwanis Club in Vernon. After the paperwork was reviewed, she says, “I was informed that I had won! It was really hard to tell who was more excited — me or my mom.”

During the summer, Colleen enjoys participating in plays with the Highland Stage Theatre Company, in Vernon. She's currently involved in the production of “Oklahoma.” Colleen will have to miss one of the public performances to compete in the Queen of the Fair contest.

“I expect it’s going to be a tough competition,” says Colleen, “but I’m excited.”

Colleen says that to be successful in this competition, “I have to look into what is to be expected.” Her experiences thus far as Ms. Vernon have been very rewarding. “Every girl wants to feel beautiful like a princess. It’s been really nice.” In the end, “I’m gonna’ do my best,” says Colleen.

Victoria Marchesani Vernon Township High School student Victoria Marchesani, 15, has a background in dance and will be preparing for competitions this summer.

She will be participating in the National American Ms. Pageant taking place at the Hilton Hotel in New Brunswick Aug. 25 through 27.

“I want to win the talent portion,” says Victoria, who competed last year, too. She's taking vocal lessons with Faith Anderson of Sussex-Wantage and for the pageant will be singing the solo “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” which she has been practicing for three weeks. The competition itself requires a $50 entry fee. “It’s very exciting because I don’t get a lot of chances to sing solo in front of an audience.”

Brooke Harrsch Fifteen-year-old Brooke Harrsch, also a Vernon High student, says her focused goal for the summer is: “to better my dance education and become a better performer — whether in acting, singing or just becoming more confident in my performances.” She's been studying dance for eight years and practices her art at Ziegler Dance Center in Vernon. She has competed generally for six years.

In the past, she has specialized in tap, jazz and ballet. “I worked with a different company for competition up until this year, but now I’m competing in the jazz district in the name of Ziegler. Jazz is my favorite,” she says. Brooke begins practicing dance in the beginning of August and starts competing for about four to five competitions held at neighboring high schools in the spring. Preparation for dance competition takes hard work and determination. Brooke says, “I must always make my practices and stay on top of my game.”

“There’s a lot of competition because dance studios are coming from everywhere,” Brooke says.

“It’s really nice to watch others perform from elsewhere because you get a feel of their style of dance.” Brooke will prepare by stretching daily, eating healthy and exercising.

Brandon Valdes High Point High senior Brandon Valdes, 17, is focused this summer on a simple goal: To “paint the fence around my home so my family and I can put a wire mesh around it.” With simple home improvement in mind, Brandon plans to work on landscaping, in part to expand his property so that his dogs will “be able to run around — without running away.”

He'll work on this family project in the making now for about two years. Brandon says he intends to “take it a section a day.” He aims to cover about five yards of fencing at a time. “A big portion is going to be all me,” he says, “but on the weekends, I’m working on it with the family.”

Matthew Chastain Vernon Township High graduate Matthew Chastain, 18, will be studying music education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, this fall. coming year. On the other hand, another hobby occupies his thoughts this summer. “I want to get my motorcycle license,” Matthew says. He says he's been thinking about doing this for months, with his father — who rides a motorcycle — as his inspiration.

Since motorcycles have been a part of his life beginning at a young age, Matthew says “this summer is my time to shine.” To get his motorcycle license, he needs to pass a state test similar to the driving exam, which Matthew plans to take before the end of August.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” says Matthew. “It’s not as easy as driving, but it makes transportation more fun.” Once he fulfills his goal, Matthew will practice on his father’s motorcycle until buying his own, following “dad’s tradition.”