Ed. note: Twice a month, the Enterprise publishes “Catch a Rising Star” to recognize students who stand out among their peers academically, athletically, artistically or in their attitudes. Students from Glen Lake, Lake Leelanau St. Mary, Leland, Northport, Suttons Bay and those living in Leelanau but attending Traverse City West High School will be featured. Catch a Rising Star is compiled by news editor Amy Hubbell and is published on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month during the school year.

Betsy Shiner

This week’s Rising Star is Betsy Shiner, a senior at Northport High School and the daughter of Keith and Bonnie Shiner of Northport. Betsy has a grown brother and sister, Jake and Tish, and a younger brother, Eli, who is a junior at Northport.

Betsy was identified by staff members who describe her as a motivated, friendly and hard-working student who is well respected by students and staff alike. She is also credited for displaying a unique combination of strength and compassion. Betsy speaks her mind with great confidence and maturity, but is open-minded enough to listen to the perspectives of others. She is a scholar, leader and athlete (basketball and volleyball) and is usually the first to volunteer to help out her classmates and her community. “Betsy’s sense of humor, perseverance and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done will serve her well in the future,” according to Northport School staff.

Do you have a role model: “I guess I’d have to say Sally Viskochil. She’s been a ‘team mom’ (sports) for 17 years and does everything she can to contribute to the community.”

Career plans: “I’d like to be a pediatrician. I would be fun to help out younger kids and do something helpful for our world.”

Favorite place to hang out: “I hang out at the beach a lot … any of the ones in Northport.”

Describe your perfect day - who would you spend it with, what would you do, where would you be? “I guess it would be hanging out with my friends (Sophie, Tavi, Rosie and Amanda). We could go shopping, but we really don’t have to do anything to have fun together.”

What’s the best book you’ve ever read? Bridge to Teribithia. “My teacher read it to us in third grade and I became enthralled with it.”

Favorite musician/musical group? “That’s an impossible question to answer. I have 3,000 songs on my iPod and just couldn’t pick.”