Potential Magazine Jan/Feb 2014 | Page 4

contributors from the publisher publisher Pam Mashburn copy editor Jennifer Kornegay New Year. New Habits. art director Erika Tracy The Mashburns are eating healthy, getting places on time, organizing, keeping things clean, making to-do lists (and doing them!) and realizing that we’ll fall back into some old habits but still forge forward knowing that it’s the right thing to do! One goal that we have is sharing our finances with our oldest (17-yearold Spencer) so that he can understand our values and decision-making process around spending. As he prepares for the upcoming college admissions process, we have had some tough The Mashburns at a conversations about how much we Georgia Tech game can spend on his college education. When our son showed interest in attending our alma mater, Georgia Tech, we got sentimental and excited about that possibility. That bubble popped quickly once we found out that it came with a $42,000/ year price tag (ouch!). It forced our family to look at the hard reality of college costs. Happily, there are less expensive in-state schools that have great engineering programs and fun football tailgating, so we’ve tackled that hurtle—now, on to getting to places on time! ) v p.s. Start 2014 off right pam mashburn [email protected] 334.201.8787 26 TEEN SPOTLIGHTS writers Rebecca Chavers, Caitlin Howell, Jennifer Kornegay, Jasmine York research and copy Carole Sides communication & social media Meagan Boren web Heather Cooper, Jeremy Ellis photography Kim Box Photography, Lizzy Nicole Photography Kathleen Clipper Photography Nicole Flahtery/Nikki P Photography distribution LeAnne Thomas, Shelia Stanfield potential is published by exploreMedia. Copyright 2014 exploreMedia. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Editorial content verified but not guaranteed. 7956 Vaughn Road, #331 • Montgomery, AL 36116 P: 334-201-8787 F: 866-587-2517 questions & comments to [email protected] forms & guidelines Nominations for Teen Spotlight available at www.potentialmagazine.com IN THIS ISSUE: and get the news and info that’s important to you in every issue of Potential! contents graphic design Heather Cooper 6  COLLEGE 101: CHOOSING A COLLEGE 8 10 FEATURES 12 22 BEYOND BEAUTIFUL WHAT I KNOW NOW MARY MARGARET MCCORD LIFE SKILLS: CHECKING ACCOUNTS TEST PREP: AVOIDING REMEDIAL COURSES 14 WISE WORDS: TOUGH TALK 16 GAME ON: SUPPLEMENT SAFETY 18 GAME ON: A GOOD TRY 20 HAPPY + HEALTHY RIDING RIGHT: ATV SAFETY 4 IM AGE BY NIK KI P PHOTO G R APH Y IMAGE BY LIZZIE NIC OLE PHOTO G R A PHY 30 20 www.potentialmagazine.com GEAR UP: A NEW YOU on the cover Montgomery Catholic students Katelyn Stark, MacKenzie Colvin, Patrick Gregorius and Anna Stokes. Photography by Kim Box Photography.