Today's Teen: Shoreland Lutheran High School

Megan Bauer has won multiple gold medals for piano in Wisconsin School Music Association competition and earned a gold medal in piano at WSMA state competition. In her junior year, she was awarded the National School Orchestra Award.

So, it’s not surprising she lists orchestra as her favorite class “because our small group has a lot of fun together, and I love playing viola.” She also is a member of Festival Singers and calls piano her favorite hobby, playing it for chapel and sometimes accompanying the choir.

A National Honor Society member, she serves on Shoreland’s Leadership Team and in the Ministry Club. In addition, Bauer says: “I love managing. I managed volleyball this past season and track for the last two years and will again this coming March.”

Outside school, she works as a babysitter, and helps out a lot at her church and school with vacation Bible school. Last summer, Bauer and three friends taught vacation Bible school in New Jersey. “It was an amazing experience to tell my class of 3- and 4-year-olds every day for a week that Jesus loves them,” she said.

Her future plans include attending Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., and becoming an elementary school teacher. “I want to use the gifts God’s given me to serve him in all I do, no matter what that is,” Bauer said.

She is the daughter of the Rev. Tom and Diane Bauer.

Activities: Music performance, Ministry Club, athletics management

Future plans: Attend Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn.

Likes to: Play piano, viola and teach younger children

Sarah Johnson presents an imposing resume of activities and accomplishments.

A National Honor Society member and Badger Girls State delegate, she has lettered in academics, drama, track and music. She performs with the Salt and Light Troupe, Festival Singers, Festival Choir. In addition, she plays piano, cello and is in the orchestra. Johnson was named a United cheerleading association All Star/All American each of her four high school years. She has been asked to try out for the camp staff for summer employment.

Outside of school, she is a Special Olympics volunteer, an extra in the video series “Fifth Pew from the Front,” an actress in “Living Bold,” an Internet ministry video series, and she still finds time to go thrift store shopping.

American government tops Johnson’s list of favorite classes. “I enjoy the daily discussions we have about events happening in the news. Everyday, I walk out of the class knowing I learned something that can actually apply to my life,” she said.

A hostess at David’s Bistro in Antioch, Ill., Johnson plans to attend Wisconsin Lutheran College, where she hopes to be admitted into the nursing program as a sophomore so she can become a labor-and-delivery nurse. She also plans to minor in theater. Says Johnson: “I hope that I can achieve a successful career in nursing or even acting, Broadway perhaps? But the most important events I see in my future would be marrying and having children, four to be exact. Just like my great family.”

She calls sister Rebecca her role model and says Rebecca sparked her interest in theater. “Her carefree but determined spirit remind me to always work hard, do what I love and to never give up on things that are important to me,” she said.

She is the daughter of Russell and Deborah Johnson.

Jarrod Pfarr is a two-time WIAA Division-II sectional qualifier in triple and long jump, three-time All Midwest Classic Conference honorable mention in track and field and also has varsity letters in basketball, soccer, cross country, choir, theater and forensics.

In addition, the National Honor Society member is an academic letter winner, tenor section leader in Festival Choir and participates in Shoreland Leadership Group, Ministry Club and Festival Singers.

“I consider Shoreland a great blessing in my life. The opportunity to be around others who share the same values and faith makes high school less of a burden and much more enjoyable,” Pfarr said.

Outside school, Pfarr also keeps a busy schedule. As a member of Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church, he is involved in the youth group, was a mission trip participant last summer at Spring Hill, Fla., an election day volunteer for the town of Somers, one of 26 teens chosen by audition for Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Youth Chorale and performs in the church praise choir.

He enjoys playing table tennis, golf, listening to music, working with kids at church and drawing.

Pfarr looks to his uncle, Kevin Buch, a Manitowoc teacher, as a role model. “He is involved in many activities including coaching athletic teams and directing choir. I hope someday to be a well rounded individual very much like he is,” Pfarr says.

As for the teacher who has most influenced him, that would be Dan Schulz. Said Pfarr: “The energy that he brings to the classroom every day, and the constant example of Christian character that he displays, make him one of a kind. He helps students improve in the classroom as a teacher and on the track as a coach, always doing everything with a positive and supportive attitude.”

Pfarr plans to attend Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., to earn a secondary education degree to teach high school history within the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. He says he hopes to influence the next generation of students “by encouraging them to live God-pleasing lives and to stay strong in their faith.”

He is the son of Gregg and Marie Pfarr.

Activities: Athletics, choir, theater, forensics, church youth group

Future plans: Attend Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., teach high school history

Likes to: Golf, play table tennis, draw, listen to music