24 seniors recognized for academics, activities

Three high-achieving seniors from several high schools are honoring teachers, coaches and advisers who have influenced them. 

The 41st annual Indiana Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition program, which took place March 12 at Hagerstown, recognizes students and teachers for excellence, integrity and commitment. 

Centerville, Lincoln and Hagerstown participate in I-STAR, as well as Tri, Connersville, Union County, Franklin County and Rushville. 

Several teachers describe receiving the I-STAR award as one of the most fulfilling honors of their teaching careers because it is bestowed by a student. For instance, Lincoln’s Brandon Pennington said the joy of teaching lies in helping students on their journeys to become better people.

The students have extensive lists of cocurricular and extracurricular activities. WWN has summarized the biographies each honoree submitted for the event’s program. 

Centerville

• Victoria Beatty’s experiences in cross country, track, managing girls basketball and announcing baseball have inspired her to study sports media and journalism at the University of Cincinnati or Indiana University Bloomington. Additional activities include serving as class president, Principal’s Leadership Team, National Honor Society and Business Professionals of America. Parents: Tim and Elise Beatty 
• Ellie Cox’s activities have included volleyball, tennis, student government, Leo Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Business Professionals of America. She’s also active in her church, Habitat for Humanity and Western Wayne Community Soccer. She plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University for mathematics education. Parents: Steve and Shari Cox
• Abram Jarvis began studying violin at age 7 and has earned gold at state-level solo and ensemble contests for the past five years. He plans to continue performing with Purdue bands and orchestra while studying aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Additional activities include cross country, track, marching band, drama club, National Honor Society, Principal’s Leadership Council and Speaker of the House in Model Legislature. Parents: Aaron and Emily Jarvis
• Kathleen Kassens joined Centerville Elementary in 2015 as a fifth-grade English/Language Arts teacher. She blends early childhood expertise and intervention strategies to help students become confident readers and writers. She serves as Student Council representative and as a high school and youth volleyball coach. 
• Bonita Klein has taught the past five years at Centerville after 19 years at Lincoln, and she’s a five-time I-STAR honoree. Klein advises the Business Professionals of America chapter and has served as Region 9 Coordinator and on BPA’s Board of Directors. She’s a two-time Advisor of the Year and received BPA’s Distinguished Service Award. 
• Kenny Marshall is currently in his 29th year at Centerville schools. He has taught first, fourth, sixth and eighth grades. He’s coached Odyssey of the Mind, Spell Bowl, Math Club, junior high track coach, and Kids in Centerville Soccer. Marshall has been nominated for Centerville’s Teacher of the Year several times. 

Hagerstown

• Zeda Kersey’s activities have included cheerleading, including competing at nationals with a new competition team, National Honor Society and Tiger Ambassador. She has volunteered at Reid Health and at 321Go Kids, a pediatric therapy clinic. She works at 1896 Lounge Cafe and Smoothie King. Kersey plans to attend IU Bloomington to study psychology in preparation for occupational therapy. Parents: Paegan and Aaron Kersey. 
• Halle Pruitt has been class president and played volleyball and cheered for four years. She’s also in National Honor Society. She has volunteered at events including a veterans’ fair and tire drive. She plans to study biology in pursuit of a career in orthodontics. Parents: Chris and Carrie Pruitt 
• Sophia Senese’s activities include dance, National Honor Society officer, multiple school sports, and designing and helping paint a mural. Her community service has included helping teach a ballet class for kids. She’s an office assistant at All Pest Exterminating. Senese plans to study biochemistry at Purdue. Parents: Alison and Andy Senese. 
• Julie Arnold is celebrating her 36th year with Nettle Creek Schools. She currently serves as the school counselor for grades 10-12. The Hagerstown graduate said she feels extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the children of former students, because it’s all about relationships.
• Lincoln graduate Chris Oliger has worked for Nettle Creek since 1991 and currently teaches geometry, Algebra II, precalculus and calculus. He has served as math department chair for 15 years. He’s also coached basketball, track, golf and volleyball. Oliger has earned this distinction multiple times and has also been Nettle Creek’s Teacher of the Year.
• Beth Overfield is a teaching artist at Hagerstown Jr.-Sr. High, where she has taught a wide range of art courses for 16 years. She’s the fine arts academic team coach, art club sponsor, and fine arts department chair. Overfield specializes in figurative sculpture, and her work has been exhibited in a variety of museums and on college campuses. 

Lincoln

• Allison Clayton has participated in softball, basketball and golf, and has managed wrestling for one year and football. Allison has also participated in FFA for three years and National Honor Society for two years. After high school she plans to attend IU Indianapolis to study medical imaging. Parents: Jessica Clayton and Shawn Clayton 
• Justin Driskill was co-captain of the football team and participated in wrestling and golf. He’s vice president of Student Government, president of National Honor Society, and in Business Professionals of America. Driskill plans to study media production at Ball State University. Parents: Shelly and Travis Amyx.
• Grace Smith’s activities have included volleyball, cheerleading, Business Professionals of America and National Honor Society. She plans to major in nursing at Ball State. Parents: Pete and Kimberly Smith.
• Lincoln graduate Jennifer Vance is in her seventh year of teaching at her alma mater. As Student Resource Teacher, she supports students academically, socially, and emotionally. She’s the prom and Key Club sponsor, middle school girls basketball coach and LMHS Golden Harvest Food Pantry coordinator and is launching a middle school girls softball club. 
• Brandon Pennington has spent his 26-year career at LMHS, and has taught U.S. history, world history, AP world history, government, economics and geography for the last 20 years. The Lincoln alum has coached varsity baseball and boys and girls basketball. He’s now assistant baseball coach at Earlham College. 

Connersville

• Hunter Allen plans to attend Miami (Ohio) University for his Master of Science in nursing to become a nurse practitioner. He is a basketball captain and played AAU basketball in addition to playing football. He’s a member of Early College High School and National Honor Society. He enjoys fishing, hunting and camping. Parents: Kristin and Jesse Allen
• Emily Bischoff would like to attend Marian University to help kids grow as a teacher and a therapist. Beyond community volunteering, her involvement includes National Honor Society, Early College High School, Student Athletic Council, Saint Gabriel’s Youth Group, gymnastics, track and field, math and English academic teams, Advanced Choir, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and starting a mental health club. She was named to Indiana Honor All-State Choir and was a Lilly scholarship finalist. Parents: James and Jeanette Bischoff
• Sophia Starr plans to attend Indiana University and major in comprehensive design before becoming an industrial designer. She’s in the Early College High School and its Student Leaders program and was a Lilly scholarship finalist. Her activities include National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Senior Council, Student Athletic Council, soccer captain and tennis. Parents: Brian and Lauren Starr
• Paula Shouse, who earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Earlham College, began her teaching career while involved in a graduate program that culminated in teaching a section of Elementary Composition on the IU East campus. After one day as an instructor, she knew teaching would offer her a satisfying and challenging career. She has taught English at CHS for 18 years including classes through IU and Ivy Tech as an Early College High School dual-credit adjunct instructor. The Richmond resident serves as an adviser to the ECHS freshman cohort and English department co-chair.
• Connersville alumnus Jeramie Horn is a government and political science teacher. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies education and master’s degrees in education and political science from IU East. He has also coached middle school and varsity football, middle school and JV baseball, and has been a faculty adviser for student government and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
• Inspired by a high school chemistry teacher, Chris Dalrymple pursued his passion for science, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in mathematics from Texas A&M University. He later completed his master’s in education at IUPUI. With 18 years of teaching experience, including 14 in high school classrooms, Dalrymple has dedicated his career to sparking curiosity and encouraging students to explore uncommon areas of interest. He’s a dual-credit chemistry and physics instructor.

Tri

• Ava Houchins’ activities include National Honor Society officer, Business Professionals of America, volleyball, basketball and track. She plans to study pre-occupational therapy at Purdue. Parents: Mark and Stephanie Houchins
• Spencer Mummert is currently ranked first in his class, serves as National Honor Society president and is captain of track and cross country teams. He plans to study construction management at Purdue. Parents: Pat and Amy Mummert.
• Olivia Parham’s activities include basketball, track, National Honor Society, Student Council and Young Life. She plans to study pharmaceutical sciences at Purdue. Parents: Misty Jones and Calvin Parham.
• Tri Elementary School principal Emily Hamm said she loves the opportunity to connect students with their purpose and help cultivate meaningful pathways to their futures through leadership, belonging and an atmosphere of excellence. She spent nine years teaching third and sixth grades and special education. She’s in her fifth year in administration.
• Student Support & Media Specialist Stacia Guarisco has been an educator for 25 years, previously serving as an English teacher and media specialist. Guarisco finds joy in helping students discover their potential and achieve their goals.
• Jeff Burger has worked in youth ministry and education for 30-plus years. He’s also coached soccer, track, tennis and basketball. After graduation from New Castle Chrysler High School and Taylor University, he spent several years living and working in Honduras, playing soccer and bringing aid to orphaned children.