Tyler

My name is Tyler. I am 15 years old, and the eldest of four kids in my family. I was born and raised in a small town in Michigan. I've been raised Catholic all my life, taught by good Catholic teachers and parents, and supported by good Catholic friends. Over the years I've grown deeper in my faith, though I won't say I don't have some more growing to do, and I strive to learn more and do better each day. I'm currently in my sophomore year of high school, and I really don't know what college I plan on going to. My favorite sport is golf. I also enjoy reading, online chatting, playing the Wii, writing a bit on the side, and biking, but I enjoy spending time with my friends most of all. My areas of academic interest are language, writing, and history.

Natalie

I'm Natalie, a very creative person who loves to chat and enjoys outdoor sports, including ultimate frisbee, swimming, skating and archery. Reading, drawing, singing and music are my hobbies and my favorite animals are horses, dogs, cats and anything cute and cuddly. I'm third of four children in our family and am blessed to have my loving parents who put up with my crazy antics. Being homeschooled has been such a privilege and my hope is that I may put what I've learned to good use for the glory of God.

Martha

Hey, peoples, I'm Martha. Soon to be sixteen, I've spent my whole life in a small town in Michigan, homeschooled, and Catholic. I'm the seventh of a harmony-type family of nine kids, the eldest four being half siblings, and the latest two being adopted (and adorable). I am completely in love with my God and my faith, but I must admit I wasn't always too taken with the Catholic ways. Until about two years ago, in fact, I was extremely bored with my life. Religion especially. But the summer after I turned thirteen I attended a Catholic youth conference in Steubinville, OH, and it literally changed my life forever. I've since delved, fascinated, into the Catholic faith and learned so much and I still want to know so much more ... Whenever I can. My days are mostly filled with entertaining a four year old and two-and-a-half year old trouble team. Fitting in school work, piano practice, and singing takes most of my time, but I always seem to find space for having fun, and most importantly, God. I hope to learn to become a dog trainer as a part time career and tentatively plan on GVSU for college, but mostly I want to get married to the man God has chosen for me and raise my own kids in a Catholic, homeschooled environment. These are just ideas, though. I'm going to try to let God guide my life the way He wants it to go. I only pray and hope I have the strength to trust Him that completely.

Lorraine

Hi! Simply put, I'm Lorraine, though most people call me Rain or Rainy. At thirteen, I am the youngest of four kids. My parents - who are awesome! - raised me and my siblings as Catholics. I live with my family in a very unremarkable part of the city. My interests include writing, art, 4-H archery, and music (I play the piano and I'm learning the guitar). I'm rather eclectic on what music I listen to; alternative and symphonic metal are my favorite genres, though. Oh, and did I mention that I'm a voracious reader? Well, I am. And I'm proud of it. I enjoy talking about my faith and I sometimes dabble in political debates. I am also pro-life, as is my family. So, there you are; you have the basics of who I am.

Catherine

My name is Catherine, but many of my friends call me Cat. I am fifteen-years old, and am the eldest of six children. I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; my family moved to Michigan when I was three. I live in the country on eight acres of land. I have been raised Catholic all of my life. I enjoy growing more deeply in knowledge about my Catholic faith, and am always striving to try to love God more and to fully give my life to Him. I am the treasurer of the pro-life club I am in, and am active in the pro-life ministry. I enjoy playing three instruments: piano, bass guitar, and guitar. I enjoy singing with my dad when we do the music for Mass. I love listening to music, mainly alternative metal and symphonic metal, though my genre tastes are very diverse. As my family can attest to, one of my main passions is spending hours on the Internet, to blog and chat mostly. I am a book worm; I could read books all day if I had the time and if it was healthy to do so. My learning interests right now are writing, philosophy, theology, history, and Latin. I would like to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville when the time comes for college.

Kristina

Who am I? That's a question that could take a lifetime to answer. But lets see here ... my name is Kristina Marie. For those who are curious, that means Christ-bearer. And that pretty much sums up my goals, my ambitions, and my dreams. I'm a freshman at Aquinas College this year, pursuing a degree in psychology. As for what I want to do as a career; jail ministry, counseling, social work, and youth ministry are all possible directions I could take. Sometimes I wish that I could live more than one life in order to accomplish everything I'd like to do.

I play guitar. I write poetry. I love being with people. My family is incredible. I was homeschooled for most of my life. I LOVE fruit. I tend to be a very deep person, yet at the same time I'm always made fun of for my naivety. Honestly, I'm still trying to discover who I am, where I am going, what I want, what God wants, and all those hard questions that take forever to answer. Life is good though. I enjoy the journey.

I am blessed.

Paul

They call me Paul. I'm a 19 year old freshman at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am the sixth of nine kids, including two adopted siblings. Born and raised Roman Catholic in the tiny town of Hubbardston. I am a Theology major with plans on being a youth minister in the future. I'm active in Students for Life and Catholic ministries. I enjoy following and discussing politics, especially the pro-life campaign. I love hanging out with friends, watching a good movie, playing Wii, and listening to all kinds of music.

Mary

We have added three more teens to the No Question Left Behind team. You will be meeting them over the next few weeks. For today, meet Mary.

My name is Mary and I am the second oldest of a blended family of seven kids. I'm 16 and a high school junior. I'm co-enrolled at the local community college. I love shooting sports and have competed at the national and international level. We recently moved from the city to the country and I love pond hockey. I also love hanging out with my friends, music, and crafts. I hope to be a paramedic someday and perhaps a missionary to China.

Karen

My name is Karen and I am the eldest of four children. My parents raised me to be a strong citizen of both the Catholic Church and our community. In our faith community, I actively participated in the youth choir and was also a lector throughout high school. Right now, I co-teach a seventh grade, first-year, Confirmation class at a parish in the Detroit area. I graduated from New Covenant Christian High School. Currently, I am a sophomore at Madonna University in Lavonia, MI. I am studying Communication Arts, English, and Political Science. I plan to also gain certification in Secondary Education. After I have completed college, I am planning to move southward, maybe Texas, to teach. I also enjoy a variety of sports, including basketball and soccer. This book has been enlightening and kept me in closer contact with the Lord over the past year. I hope it will do the same for all of you!

Jenna

I am a seventeen-year-old senior at a public high school in Michigan and I attend the Catholic Church. I live with my parents, Mary Jo and John, and siblings Karen, Mark, and Scott. I have swum competitively since I was eight-years old, and plan to swim in college. I enjoy bowling, listening to music, playing water polo, biking, waterskiing, spending time with my family, working with photography, watching movies, and hanging out with friends. I plan to make my profession in psychology or psychiatry, but am not yet sure which university I would like to attend.

Austin

I’m fourteen-years old and live in Michigan. I am homeschooled. I have five brothers and sisters. My family and I have attended various parishes in the past. I enjoy shooting sports, 4-H (sheep), ice skating at the Wittmann’s house, hanging out with friends, attending youth group, art, and Christian rock music. I'm a drummer and percussionist. I have a drum set and play percussion in the HSMA Concert Band. My family and I recently moved to ten acres of woods in the country, and we love it out here! We now have lots animals that we wouldn’t have thought of owning (horse, sheep, dog) before. I have no future plans as of yet but I hope to go to college some day. By answering the questions in this book, I have obtained so much knowledge about the Catholic faith. “Thanks Mom and Dad!” I would also like to thank Mrs. Wittmann for letting me be a part of this book.

Amanda

I’m sixteen-years old and have been homeschooled most of my life, along with my five younger siblings. My family and I recently moved to the country. I’m part of three different youth groups, one of which I am currently leading after many years of membership. I have owned a horse, Robynn, for three years and now have her in my backyard. I also am part of a 4-H group that raises sheep for the county fair. I love to skate on Christian’s backyard ice rink, ride my horse, Irish step dance, sing in choir, and hang out with friends. I participate in a lot of service activities and retreats with my youth groups. I’m currently in a musical and have acted in five other plays. I plan to graduate next year from high school and continue on to any mission work God leads me to. When I get to college, I would like to attend Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

Christian

Howdy! My name is Christian and this here is my own little cubby hole in the book. I was born in St. Louis, Missouri. I am now in my sixteenth year (making me fifteen) and am the oldest out of seven kids. My family moved to Michigan when I was about four. I’ve been homeschooled my whole life. I’m a confirmed and practicing Christian Catholic, and I love my faith very much. It’s very important to me. I have a backyard ice rink. It’s pretty big (100 by 50 ft) and it rocks! I’m in a writers’ club, a philosophers’ club called Socrates’ Cafe, and I’m learning to speak Spanish along with some friends. I do archery, accountant for my Squires’ youth group, writing/book addict, and just an all around cool guy. After I get through high school, I’ll probably go to college. Maybe Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. I’d like to major in theology, and maybe philosophy.

Alex

I am twenty-three-years old. I graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School and I am a recent Aquinas College graduate. At Aquinas I earned a Bachelor’s Degree with majors in Theology and Mathematics and a minor in Physics. I have helped develop and run the “What Now” retreat for high school seniors and I have helped with the Aquinas College Youth Rally. I have presented “Life, Love, God the Juggling Act” and “Check Yourself, A Christian Story” at the St. Simon Youth Rally. I love learning more about people, the Church, and God. I have been blessed with the opportunity to help with this book and am very thankful to be a part of it. I would like to thank my parents, Bill and Joan L, and the rest of my family for their continued support and love through the years.

Tom

My name is Tom. I am the oldest of seven children from Michigan. I am currently twenty-two-years old, my youngest sister is twelve, so we are all fairly close in age. I was homeschooled all the way through high school, which, although difficult at times, gave me a very strong sense of family. It also helped to strengthen my faith in God, and my love for the Catholic Church. I graduated this year from the University of Detroit Mercy with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I am now working as an engineer, I enjoy playing sports, being outdoors, playing piano, and being around my friends.

Ashley

I’m eighteen-years old and I have been blessed with amazing parents and three awesome brothers. I have been raised Catholic and have attended a small town Catholic church my entire life. I’m currently a sophomore in college studying massage therapy. I’ve played sports as long as I can remember, and in my freshman year of high school fell in love with volleyball! I also ran track all through high school. Music has also been a huge part of my life. God has been so good to me, really showing me what it means to be content and happy with allowing Him to run my life. He has showed me that He can do much greater things with my life than I ever could by myself. My future plans are to finish college in the next year and a half, find a good job, get married, and start a family. Most importantly, I want to follow God’s plan for me, and to glorify Him. I have had so much fun contributing to this book and hope that it helps you with any questions you may have about the Catholic faith. May God bless you always!

Maureen D

I am twenty-one-years old and a recent graduate of Aquinas College, in Grand Rapids, MI, and a Lansing Catholic Central High School alumna. I graduated with my B.A. in Psychology and a concentration in Communications. While at Aquinas, I spent two years as a Resident Assistant, during which I helped organize and run a number of different fundraising programs. I hope to pursue a career in higher education counseling, and would like to express my deepest gratitude to my parents, God, and Mrs. Wittmann for their support during this experience.

Michael

I’m fifteen-years old and I’m a homeschooled sophomore in high school. I’m a Catholic and very pro-life. I like writing, photography, playing bass guitar, computers, amateur radio, hanging out with my friends and my family of eight, and tons of other stuff. I’m thinking about majoring in communication or photography in college. A few years ago I wrote a book titled St. Jude: A Friend in Hard Times [Pauline]. That’s about all I can think of to write, so enjoy the book!

Maureen Wittmann

I graduated from high school in 1979 and you don’t have to tell me that was a long time ago! But, doing this book has shown me that things have not really changed all that much when it comes to the questions that are heavy on the hearts of teenagers. I never dreamed, back in 1979, that life could be so good. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and seven beautiful children. I am co-editor and a contributing author to A Catholic Homeschool Treasury [Ignatius Press, 1999] and The Catholic Homeschool Companion (Sophia Institute Press, 2006). I am also the author of For the Love of Literature (Ecce Homo Press, 2008) and am currently working on a new book 100 Books for Kids Who Love to Read (Ecce Homo Press). My articles have appeared in Our Sunday Visitor, Catholic Digest, New Covenant, and several other periodicals.