Star Students

Kaitlyn Smith Trinity High School

Favorite Movie: Bob’s Burger Movie

Favorite Music/Artist: Lovejoy

Favorite Food: Mozzarella Sticks

Favorite Quote: The universe loves you because you are love.”

Kaitlyn is a senior at Trinity High School and is the daughter of Kimberly Niedermeier. Her activities include UIL, BETA, A/V Club, band, choir, theater, dance, and class officer. Kaitlyn plans to attend Sam Houston State University to major in mass communications, then pursue a career in broadcasting. She hopes to be involved in community theater in her free time. She believes, “You get out of it what you put into it.”

Lillyenne Barnes Huntsville High School

Favorite TV Show: Almost any Marvel movie

Favorite Music/Artist: Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald

Favorite Food: Shrimp

Favorite Quote: “Some make excuses; others make ways.”

Lillyenne is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Shockese Barnes and Heather Barnes. Her activities include Fellowship of Christian Athletes, powerlifting, track and field, choir, cosmetology, and Foreign Exchange and Friends Club. Lillyenne plans to obtain her cosmetology license, obtain a kinesiology degree at Sam Houston State University, then obtain her masters and pre-athletic training certificate. She believes, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.”

Nathan Schweitzer Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: John Wick

Favorite Music/Artist: Zac Brown Band

Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo

Favorite Quote: “You couldn’t hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant.” –Grandpa Lewis, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Nathan is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the son of Robert and Cathy Schweitzer. His activities include football, baseball, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and FFA. Nathan plans to obtain a degree in welding engineering. He believes, “Work hard. Play hard.”

Reese Butler Alpha Omega Academy

Favorite Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Favorite Music/Artist: Lana Del Rey

Favorite Food: Fettuccini Alfredo

Reese is a senior at Alpha Omega and is the daughter of Kelley Butler and the late John Butler. Her activities include Interact and member of FBC Dodge Youth Group. Following graduation, Reese plans to attend Sam Houston State University.

1 What is your grandparent name and does it have a special meaning? Nonnie…that’s just what they started calling me.

2 Number of grandchildren and age range?

A set of twins. They are 25.

3 Favorite activity with them?

When they were little, we always took beach vacations with them, and some of our favorite memories are from that time.

4 Advice to other/new grandparents?

Let your grandchildren know you love them with every fiber of your being--and put Christ first always.

5 What’s your fondest memory of your grandparents?

When I was little, my mom’s mom lived with us. I loved shelling purple hulls and cream peas out on the screened-in front porch. I liked to shell the purple hulls because they turned my fingers purple.

6 What do you hope your grandkids remember about you?

I hope they know that I loved them with all of my heart and there’s nothing humanly possible I wouldn’t do for them.

Fluffy Carrot Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

Muffins:

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

1 ½ tsp baking soda

1 ¼ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

3 eggs

1 cup white sugar

¾ cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups grated carrot

Icing:

¼ cup cream cheese, softened

2 Tbs butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 ½ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottoms only of 12 muffin cups, or line with baking cups. Sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

Step 2: Beat eggs and sugar until frothy and lightened in color. Stir in oil, vanilla extract, and grated carrot; fold in flour mixture. Pour batter into prepared muffin tins.

Step 3: Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove to cool on wire racks.

Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare frosting by beating cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar together until fluffy. Frost the cooled muffins and chill until ready to serve.

Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

Ingredients

2 Tbs olive oil

8 oz mini sweet peppers, sliced crosswise (about 10 peppers, mixed colors)

1 cup chopped yellow onion

1 lb lean ground sirloin (90/10)

1 Tbs minced garlic

1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

¼ cup water

3 Tbs hot cherry pepper hoagie spread

¾ tsp kosher salt

1 (8.8 oz) pkg microwavable white rice, crumbled

1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

2 Tbs chopped fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Step 1: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add beef and cook, stirring to crumble, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season with garlic and Italian seasoning and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomato sauce, water, hoagie spread, and salt.

Step 2: Bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Stir in rice until coated evenly with sauce. Cover, reduce heat to medium to maintain a simmer, and cook until rice and vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes, stirring once halfway through to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Uncover, remove from heat, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Re-cover and let sit until cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve hot, sprinkled with basil or parsley.