We're pleased today to present our 2008-09 Daily Herald Academic Team.

The teenagers on these pages, both the winners and the honorable mentions, are some of the most dedicated and hardworking students you are going to meet.

They represent a generation preparing to take over, and if these students are any indicator, the future is in good hands.

To be named to the Daily Herald Academic Team requires more than good grades, great test scores and impressive class rankings - although those are important factors.

These students see themselves as having responsibilities that go beyond their own personal success. They are goal-oriented, they are curious and they are confident.

If you look at their short resumes, you'll see that these teens have all stepped outside themselves to be of service to others, and they believe that their future work will serve mankind.

The nearly 100 public and private high schools in our readership area have produced another bumper crop of outstanding teenagers. We're proud to introduce them to you.

John Lampinen, Editor