Third in a series

Youth plans for an "active" future

Marcus Zamphier

Last year, one of Marcus Zamphier's classmates asked him why he joined so many clubs and organizations at Buerkle Middle School in the Mehlville School District.

He was overheard to say: "Duh. Don't you know that colleges look at what activities you're involved in for scholarships?"

Next month, 14-year-old Marcus will be starting at Mehlville High School. He plans to continue to try to excel in the classroom and do many extra-curricular activities.

That's the combination that drew attention last year when he was selected as a 2004 Gateway Young Achiever. The award, along with a $1,000 savings bond, is given to 12 area youngsters in recognition of their outstanding efforts both in school and in the community.

Young Saint Louis.com has been following the Young Achiever program for three years. In addition to announcing the winners each spring, YSL.com also does profiles of elementary and middle school winners.

(For more information about the Achiever program, you can call (314) 961-5978 or log on to www.youngachiever.us. Also, earlier stories were in May, June and July, 2004)

For Marcus, all this activity is part of his life plan. He eventually wants a career as a lawyer and maybe in politics.

To help prepare for that future, Marcus plans to add a new school activity this fall. He wants to join the debate club, for experience in thinking on his feet in give-and-take discussions.

"When I have arguments with my friends, many times they'll say, 'You'd make a good lawyer,'" he said. He takes that as a compliment.

Another new activity he's considering is the school newspaper to help him with his English and writing. "That's something I'd probably do," he said.

He's also hoping to go to summer leadership training sessions. "I'll get ideas I can try in school," he said.

Marcus is pleased how things have turned out so far. "The future looks really bright for me," he added.

He said both his father, Michael, and mother, Lori, "kept telling me to be active."

At Buerkle Middle School, Marcus was vice president of the student council. The council was responsible for getting students involved in both school and community activities.

He was involved in planning such activities as Twins Day, Techy Day, Career Day and 70s Day.

Also, he was a member of the school's TV crew club. That group was responsible for school announcements at lunch time all year long.

He was in the school's technology club. The kids were responsible for producing ads and flyers to publicize school mixers and other events.

Marcus also was involved in peer tutoring. As an 8th grader, he helped to tutor 7th graders when they were having trouble with some classes.

"I'm a people person. Some of the kids would tell me that they learned more from me than from their teacher," he said.

He was a member of the Junior National Honor Society. Membership is determined by grades, behavior and five recommendations from teachers, Marcus said.

Other activities included such diverse things as participating in the Drug Free Schools program, the school's canned food drive and planning the Buerkle Big Blowout. That event is a big carnival day at the school.

Marcus helped to video tape the Blowout.

He helped develop a school dance routine and was in the home-ec club. One of recipes was "monkey bread," a mixture of bread dough with cinnamon, brown sugar and butter.

But, Marcus doesn't just join activities to pad his resume. "I usually join something only if I enjoy the activity," he said.

Marcus said he is seeking to "get a balance between school and a social life."

He's confident that keeping active and having balance in his life will give him that rewarding future he envisions.