Seniors, teachers honored

Three high-achieving seniors from several high schools in turn have honored teachers, coaches or organization advisers who have influenced them. 

The 39th annual Indiana Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition program 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.  Three students are generally selected from each school. 

The recognized students have extensive lists of co-curricular and extracurricular activities. 

“These experiences have shaped me as a student, an employee, a daughter, a sibling, a teammate and most importantly, as a person,” wrote Centerville senior Tizeta Jarvis. “I plan to utilize what I’ve learned to achieve my future goals, while also helping and teaching others from my experiences. I will always be grateful for the school and the individuals who have guided me towards a brighter future. The skills I’ve gained will remain with me forever.”

Here are highlights from their submitted biographies. 

Centerville

Aubree Booher is the daughter of Billy and Brandi Booher. Her favorite subjects are English and literature. She loves to write and study the writing of others. Her activities include soccer, managing the girls basketball team, class president, Model Legislature and volunteering.  Aubree hopes to become an elementary school teacher.

Lorelei Guenther is the daughter of Nick and Stephanie Guenther. The Lilly scholarship recipient will study secondary English and social studies education at Butler University. She is currently ranked first in her class and was named a Rising Star by Indiana Association of School Principals. Her activities include marching band woodwind section leader, Eastern Indiana Model Legislature’s Senate president pro-tempore, Business Professionals of America state competitor for three years, class treasurer, National Honor Society and CSHS’ social studies, English and fine arts academic teams, for which she was a captain. 

Tizeta Jarvis is the daughter of Aaron and Emily Jarvis. Her activities include Student Government, Leo Club, Model Legislature, Business Professionals of America, track, cross country, prom committee, Athletic Counsel, swim and diving, National Honor Society, internships, and work. 

John Lickfelt began teaching 10 years ago after working at Belden Wire & Cable in Richmond. The National Trail graduate earned a bachelor’s in education in 2008 at Indiana University East and a master’s in 2023. He began teaching at CSHS in 2019, offering dual-credit U.S. history, economics and world history. Lickfelt also has been a coach for 16 years, leading junior high football and serving as a varsity assistant for girls basketball and track.

Holly Stiggleman is finishing her 25th year as a school librarian. The Jay County graduate earned a bachelor’s in school media services in 1998 and a master’s in education in 2003 from Ball State University. She joined CSHS in 2011 and is the Student Government, Leo Club, National Honor Society and Book Club adviser. 

Annelies Sizelove worked in environmental education at Cope Environmental Center in Centerville and farther afield before teaching in public schools. The 2001 Earlham College biology graduate later entered IU’s Transition to Teaching program. Sizelove taught at Rose Hamilton Elementary from 2010-2014 until switching to art education. Students have entered Purdue’s Bug Bowl, The International Violin Competition, local Earth Day events and Whitewater Valley Arts Association contests and displayed work at Cope. Sizelove earned a master’s in teaching from IU in 2023.

Lincoln

Rachel Faith Morgan is the daughter of Keith and Tricia Morgan. She’s currently in the top 5 of her class and is involved in many organizations including Student Government president, Business Professionals of America Region 9 leadership team, National Honor Society, tennis and a community youth group. She works as a waitress and plays music gigs. Morgan plans to attend Ivy Tech Community College in Muncie for hospitality administration. 

Reagan Sturgis is the daughter of David and Daria Sturgis. She is currently ranked No. 2 in her class. Her leadership roles include Fellowship of Christian Athletes and youth group, vice president of Student Government and volleyball co-captain. Sturgis also has participated in Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society, Key Club, choir and worship team at her church. She will attend Taylor University for elementary education with a psychology focus. 

Abigail Terhaar is the daughter of Kenny Terhaar and Ashley Church and stepdaughter of Erica Terhaar. Terhaar is a volunteer firefighter, Archery Club member and board game club president. She also has participated in community soccer, National Honor Society, choir, and pep, marching and concert bands. She is ranked seventh in her class. Terhaar will attend Ivy Tech Community College for paramedic sciences. 

Business teacher Garrett Singer is in his 10th year at LHS. The Lincoln graduate received his undergraduate degree in accounting from Manchester University and completed his transition to teaching license through Taylor University. Singer is involved with LHS’ Business Professionals of America, track and field and cross country. He also is a coach and member of Wampus Cats Running Club.

Greg Seidner has taught physics and biology at Lincoln for the last 36 years.  He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University. He also coached varsity volleyball for the past 34 years and is an FCA sponsor.

Ryan Schunk is a 2012 Lincoln graduate and a former ISTAR student. He completed his bachelor’s in instrumental music education from Ball State University in 2018. Schunk currently teaches band at LMHS and elementary music at Western Wayne Elementary. He also conducts Imagine Performing Arts Community Band in Connersville. 

Hagerstown 

Kasiti Ferriell is the daughter of Phil and Karen Ferriell. She is National Honor Society president, student ambassador, clarinet section leader of concert band and a yearbook staffer. She competes in volleyball, basketball and track (captain) and is a four-year Tri-Eastern Conference All-Academic Honors recipient and three-time individual sectional champion in track. Ferriell plans to attend Indiana University East and become a physical therapist or athletic trainer.   

Riley Gross is the son of Ryan and Emily Gross. He qualified for Business Professionals of America’s state competition in several areas for two years and is a member of National Honor Society, Student Government (treasurer), Model Legislature and Tiger Ambassadors. He’s played football, basketball and baseball. In football, Gross received Academic All-Conference three years, Hagerstown Tigers Ironman Award, 2023 Scholastic Award, and IFCA Academic All-State. Gross plans to major in accounting and business analytics at Purdue.

Morgan Williamson is the daughter of Brian and Nancy Williamson. She completed Hoosier Girls State and the Inspirit AI program through Stanford University about artificial intelligence and computer programming. Her activities include National Honor Society (treasurer), Model Legislature, student government (vice president), piano, flute, piccolo, volleyball, basketball, archery, golf, swim manager and 14 years of dance. She advanced to state twice for Business Professionals of America. Her career goal is forensic accounting. 

Before teaching, Jason Schmittler worked in a variety of industries from middle to executive management. The Hagerstown graduate earned a bachelor’s in secondary English education from Manchester College (University) in 1995 and a master’s in management from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2007. In his 13th year of teaching English/language arts at HHS, Schmittler also coaches junior high coed cross country and previously coached junior high track and field. He co-advises Student Government Association, co-sponsors the junior class, advises yearbook (Epitome) staff, serves as a certified school safety specialist and manages the outdoor lab.

Hagerstown alumnus Mark Linderman received his bachelor’s in cinematography from Southern Illinois University and his master’s in management from Indiana University.  He’s taught business and media at HHS for four years. Linderman also teaches for nine online universities, including Indiana University’s Fairbanks School of Public Health and is a freelance magazine journalist. He’s one of 2,500 Certified Emergency Managers worldwide. He worked in television production and was nominated for or received Ohio-Valley Regional EMMY awards and National Cable Television honors.

Chris Blaase teaches dual-credit criminal justice and psychology classes and health/wellness. The 26-year patrolman for Hagerstown Police Department has transitioned to full-time teaching after helping develop HHS’ criminal justice program and obtaining licensure. Blaase earned an associate in criminal justice from Indiana University East (1986); a bachelor’s in criminal justice/Homeland Security from Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global) and a master’s in criminal justice/behavior from University of Cincinnati. Blaase also helps coach archery.