Today, Lisa Weaver's life revolves around school, church and home.

But the Lancaster Mennonite School senior yearns to travel the globe, perhaps as a photojournalist for National Geographic, her dream job.

"I'm not a homebody," said the teen, who is a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.0 grade-point average.

"The world is full of places I'd like to discover."

She is the daughter of L. Keith and JoAnne Weaver and was born and raised on a dairy farm in Reinholds, where her mother is a "stay-at-home farmer."

Her father is moderator of the Lancaster Mennonite Conference.

"I'm very grateful for my upbringing and my parents," she said. "They have a very strong faith in the Lord. I've been blessed to have that."

She is the youngest of five children, following Kendra Nissley, 30, of Bainbridge; Joel, 28, of Ligonier; and Andrew, 24, and Regina, 21, both at home.

She attended Gehman's Mennonite School in Denver from kindergarten to eighth grade.

From fifth to eighth grade, she was a member of Future Farmers of America, winning numerous 4-H trophies for showing steers.

Weaver chose to attend LMS because she wanted "a stable Christian environment" with "strong sports and academic programs."

An outgoing "people person," she is involved in numerous activities at LMS.

She is editor in chief of the yearbook, has played soccer for three years and sings in the high school chorus.

She has appeared annually in supporting roles in LMS dramas and is now rehearsing for the role of Time in Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale."

And she serves on the committee that plans and produces one or two chapel services a month. LMS begins each school day but Wednesday with chapel.

"We suggest things that are meaningful and creative," she said.

Weaver attends Blainsport Mennonite Church in Reinholds, where she plays the piano, helps out in the nursery and is secretary of the youth group.

"We hang out together, go to bowling and barn parties and do fund raising for the church."

She has served twice on a mission to a church in Mississippi.

The teen has taken honors and advanced placement courses at LMS since 10th grade. Her favorite subject is English, especially writing.

"I credit it to starting a journal at a young age," she said. "It's second nature for me to put my feelings and emotions into words, more than speaking."

She plans to submit two poems and a descriptive essay on her box of memorabilia to the Scholastic Writing Contest this school year.

The box included a love note she received in seventh grade and a funny 16th birthday card from her sister.

"It's happy reminiscing. It's sad that it's gone," she said.

Weaver is applying for admission to four colleges: Pittsburgh, Drexel, Penn State and Eastern. Besides photojournalism, she is considering majoring in theology or the health field.

"It's really not concrete yet," she said. "I'm very ambitious. I have lots of dreams. I may do something in ministry, maybe out of the country.

"I'm open to find direction from the Lord where I can best help others and follow God's calling for my life."

Weaver works as a cashier at Ace Hardware in Ephrata about 12 hours a week to earn money for college.

In her spare time, besides writing and taking photographs, she enjoys reading.

With her current focus on religion, she has recently started reading "Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals," recommended by her brother Joel.

She also enjoys playing volleyball and soccer with her friends.

A banjo player as well as a pianist, she especially enjoys getting together with her extended family, some of whom are very musical, for bluegrass and gospel music jam sessions.

"We sing and play the mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass guitar, fiddle and sometimes the piano."

But most of all, she enjoys spending time with her immediate family.

"We enjoy each other's company," she said. "I have a very close-knit family. It's something to be thankful for. Not everyone has that. I trust them. I can go to them for advice."