Makayla Costas
Fulfilling a dream of becoming an ultrasound technician is what keeps 17-year-old Makayla Costas focused on a bright future. "I want to help pregnant women: I want to do something joyful. It's a wonderful thing for parents see how baby is progressing," she said of her career choice.
Costas, who is a junior at the Newark Collegiate Academy, has a 4.0 GPA and manages the football team as well as the boys and girls basketball and track teams.
She is a member of the National Honor Society and Future Leaders at her school. Future Leaders helps students work on their college application essays and other requirements, she said.
Her schools of choice are Drexel University, where older sister Shanya Riddle is enrolled, or Temple, Northeastern or Rutgers Universities.
At St. Matthew, Costas participates in the dance ministry and sings on the youth choir. She also is a member of the Generation for Christ Ministry.
"I've always loved dance; it's a way to be active. And I like singing; it's a way to praise God."
Costas sees her spiritual mission "as a way to help younger youth coming behind me; teaching them and setting a positive example for them," she said.
Costas, who is the daughter of Kim Golden, regularly attends the Sunday morning services "and sometimes church school," she said.
Her favorite church memory is of dance anniversaries. "We got to do a lot of dances; lots of people there but it was a lot of fun."
And Costas' favorite Bible verses are from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Verse 4 says: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." And Verse 8 begins with: "Love never fails."
By Sandra Long Weaver