Kaitlin Houdek, daughter of Jim and Madeline Houdek of Lake Leelanau, is this week's "Rising Star."

Kaitlin Houdek

The youngest of four siblings, she is a senior at Lake Leelanau St. Mary. She’s also a member of the Hidden Beech 4-H Equestrian Club and award-winning county 4-H Horse Bowl team, which placed first at the regional and state horse bowls, and competed in the national Horse Bowl competition last December.  She ranked second at the regional and state levels in individual competition.  Her specialty is show jumping.  She competes with her 4-H leader’s paint Hank, but she is training her own quarterhorse/paint Chex, which she has owned for more than a year.

When she’s not in the barn, she can be found on stage, participating in cooperative musical/theatrical productions with students from Leland Public School. She has played supporting roles in Seussical, Schoolhouse Rock, and Little Shop of Horrors, and played Grace, Daddy Warbuck’s secretary, in Annie last spring.

Houdek is a member of the National Honor Society and participates on St. Mary’s Business Professionals of America team.

Upon graduation next spring, she plans to pursue a horse science degree with a focus on physical therapy and exercise.

Interests: “I’m a hardcore horse girl. I’m in a lot of musical theater/drama productions and whatever I have time for.”

Favorite class: “Anything science, but specifically anatomy. Interested in finding out how the body works. I’m currently taking a human physiology course. I also really enjoy a creative writing class I’m taking at Suttons Bay.”

Do you have a role model: “Yes, but I shouldn’t say her name, because she’ll be too embarrassed.” Her role model is 4-H leader Eleanor Miller.

Favorite place to hang out? “Usually, I would say the horse barn. It’s amazing how relaxing it is.  I would also say at my house in the hot tub with friends.”

Describe your perfect day: “It would be summer. I would wake up and have blueberry pancakes and then would actually go riding … swimming with the horses through some ponds. I’d like to go paint-balling, although never really done it. Then after  that some swimming at Good Harbor and then I’d go back to my house and sit down with friends and family and watch a comedy movie.” Her added day would be complete by  “sleeping in the barn, as long as it’s not too cold.”

What’s the best book you’ve ever read? “Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer, hands-down. It’s about a girl who discovers one of her classmates is a vampire.”

Favorite musician: Carrie Underwood, winner of American Idol, season four.

Ed. note: The Enterprise publishes “Catch a Rising Star” to recognize students who stand out among their peers academically, athletically, artistically or in 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 twice a month when school is in session.