I-STAR Students and Educators from eight area schools were recognized at  the annual I-STAR Banquet at  Franklin County High School last week.

Selected I-STAR Students from Centerville, Connersville, Franklin County, Hagerstown, Lincoln, Rushville, Tri and Union County were recognized along with their selected I-STAR Educator. 

Union County High School’s I-STAR Students are Mackaylee Carmack, Hannah Coffman, and Carly McCashland . 

The students selected high school teachers Daniel Taylor and Karla Barnhizer as this year’s  I-STAR Educators. 

Mackaylee Carmack
Mackaylee Carmack is the daughter of Mike and Amanda Carmack. Throughout her high school years, Kady has been involved in Model Legislature, Student Council, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Academic Teams, Band, and varsity golf. From these various clubs and activities, she has learned the importance of organization, time management, and efficiency. Kady also works at the Union County Public Library where she has been able to reach out to the community. Kady is a ten year 4-H member. She has been a part of the Junior Leaders club, Horse and Pony Club, the Spark Club and the Beef Club throughout her years in 4-H. Kady is planning on going to college to get her undergraduate degree in political science. Then she aspires to go to law school and become a judge one day.

Daniel Taylor
Daniel Taylor, a graduate of Preble Shawnee High School, attended Miami University where he received his bachelor's degree in journalism and political science, followed by Indiana University East where he received his degree in secondary education.

Mr. Taylor is a Union County transplant where he has spent the past five years with his wife, Schyler, three-year old son, Karson, one-year old daughter, Gracelyn, and two dogs, Bristol and Kipper. He has taught 6th grade and 8th grade social studies as well as 7th grade language arts prior to moving to the high school this year to follow his passions of government and economics. He is the sponsor for Union County's model legislature and assistant baseball coach for the UC varsity baseball program.

Hannah Coffman
Hannah Coffman is the daughter of Jake and Carrie Coffman. Hannah has been involved in dance, the school musical, National Honor Society, varsity golf, and show choir. She has been treasurer of her 4H club for the last three years and she is a ten-year member. She loves working at Pizza King in Liberty where she has built many close friendships. She has also volunteered many hours to help out the children of her community, by being an assistant dance teacher at her local dance studio and helping in Liberty Elementary School's cafeteria. 

Hannah currently plans on attending Ball State University in the fall. She chose Mrs. Barnhizer as her ISTAR teacher for her endless compassion and drive to help every student become the best version of themselves.

Karla Barnhizer
Karla Barnhizer continues to promote positive mental attitude while facilitating in the content area of English at Union County High School; she began this journey in 1989. Academic excellence is paramount to Mrs. Barnhizer's passion to inspire her learners to reveal their creative potential. More importantly, she realizes her learners are the blessing, the catalyst, the actual energy source for all learning success. ISTAR represents the ultimate accolade. Mrs. Barnhizer received her B.S. in Secondary English from Indiana University and her master’s degree from Miami University. She has also earned an administrative degree from IWU. She is sponsor of the Student Council and English Academic Team as well as Co-Sponsor of Senior Class. She enjoys traveling with family, writing, and reading. Mrs. Barnhizer and her husband, Jim, reside in Liberty and have four children and nine grandchildren.

Carly McCashland
Carly McCashland is the 18-year-old daughter of Levi and Jennifer McCashland and big sister to Katie, Cassidee, and Jonathan. She is the 5th generation to live on their family farm. 

During her high school career, she was a 4-year member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, and track teams, earning TEC All-Conference recognition in both volleyball and track. Other clubs she is active in include: Student Council, FCA, National Honor Society, FFA, Patriot Singers, and Yearbook. 
She is a 10 year 4-H member, where she serves as a Junior Leader and is on the Junior Fair Board. 

During her freshman year of high school, she quickly discovered her passion: serving others. To date she has accumulated 175 hours of community service. Carly is undecided on where she will be attending college, but she will be pursuing a BS in nursing.       

ISTAR Tradition 
Union County’s I-STAR Educators will lead the procession of the UCHS Class of 2023 when they meet for the final time at commencement at Millett Hall on the Miami University campus in Oxford, Ohio.