1. Mitchell Barnett
About Mitchell: He will attend Texas A&M University and major in computer engineering. “I hope to pursue a career in the technological side of the medical field.”
Mitchell’s teacher of influence: Evin Eiteljorg.
About Evin: He has taught at Blanco High School for five years and consider himself “incredibly lucky to spend my time with some of the best and brightest future scientists and engineers. These students bring me incredible amounts of joy and make my job the best in the world.” He lives in Blanco with his wife Claire, their two dogs, and flock of chickens. In his free time, he enjoys science UIL.
Mitchell’s thoughts about Evin: “I chose Evin Eiteljorg as my teacher of influence because he has helped and guided me throughout all four years of high school. Before I was even a freshman, he reached out to me about joining Science UIL, and since then I’ve been in multiple extracurriculars and classes with him. He’s great.”
2. Lynette Aelvoet
About Lynette: She will attend Texas A&M University to study animal science, “so that I can continue onto veterinary school to become a veterinarian.”
Lynette’s teacher of influence: Jennifer Seales.
About Jennifer: Jennifer Seales has been teaching for 26 years, with 23 years in Blanco. She graduated with a bachelor of science in curriculum and instruction from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. She has teaching certificates in elementary education with a specialization in math and secondary mathematics. Jennifer has been married to Michael Seales for 28 years and they have two children, Meaghen, who now teaches and coaches in Blanco, and Garrett who is currently attending Texas A&M University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and reading.
Lynette’s thoughts about Jennifer: “I chose Mrs. Seales because she treated me and everyone that I know like her own children. She is kind, patient, and supportive. When I would be stuck on my math homework, I would email her ten different times and she would always answer them right away. I know she loves math and helping her students grow as individuals.”
3. Kate Rogers
About Kate: Kate will attend Texas Christian University to study nursing. “After college graduation, I plan to work as a traveling nurse for a few years before going to a graduate school to work towards a masters in nursing.”
Kate’s teacher of influence: Jane Karnes.
About Jane: She grew up in San Marcos, and went to a small, Christian school where her father was the principal and the boys’ basketball coach. Jane attended Baylor University, where she majored in education and minored in political science. She met Matt on a blind date at a concert. They have two children, Justin and Kelly. She has coached in Gonzales, two different private schools, and Bennett, Colorado. When the Karnes family moved back to Texas, Jane taught and coached at Westlake High School, “which was wonderful, but Matt and I knew we wanted our kids to be a part of a small school and rural community, so we were thrilled when we were able to become a part of the Blanco community. I love working with kids, and my goal is to every day push them and encourage them to be the best they can be.”
Kate’s thoughts on Jane: “I chose Coach K as my teacher of influence because of the extreme positive impact she has had on both my athletic and academic high school career. She approaches every situation with kindness and an open mind, and is always pushing to better those under her guidance. She is an extremely encouraging coach and teacher and is always there for you in the wins and the losses. It has been an honor and blessing to have been under her guidance and I will cherish her coaching as I continue on through life.”
4. Lane Whitehead
About Lane: She will attend Texas A&M University to study biomedical sciences, after which she hopes to attend occupational therapy school.
Lane’s teacher of influence: Jamie Krenek.
About Jamie: Jamie graduated with a bachelor of science in civil engineering degree from Texas A&M University. She previously worked for a national private civil engineering firm for 5 years in San Antonio. She is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Texas. Four years ago, Jamie and her husband, Matthew Krenek, moved to Blanco so they could raise their two children, Hannah and Andrew, in a small school district and town. Jamie switched careers to teaching upon moving to Blanco and currently holds teaching certificates in mathematics for grades 4-12 and computer sciences for grades 7-12. In her free time she enjoys spending time camping with her family.
Lane’s thoughts on Jamie: “I chose Mrs. Krenek as my Teacher of Influence because she is an incredible teacher who was a tremendous support to me inside as well as outside the classroom. She was always available and eager to help me and never made me feel inferior for asking questions. She recognized my strengths and continually acknowledged me for them making me feel like a valued part of her classroom. Mrs. Krenek’s fun and kind demeanor as well as her sincere effort to truly get to know her students make her a wonderful teacher, and I feel blessed to have been in her class.”
5. Elizabeth Wheeler
About Elizabeth: She will attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and major in audio engineering technology with a minor in music business. “I hope to pursue a career in the music industry, hopefully as a producer or studio technician.”
Elizabeth’s teacher of influence: Keitha St. Clair.
About Keitha: She attended the University of Texas at Austin and has been an educator for 23 years, the last 10 years in Blanco. She has certifications in social studies composite for sixth through 12th grades a principal certificate. She has taught everything from sixth grade world cultures to 12th grade government/economics. Ms. St. Clair and her much loved animals live in Canyon Lake. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, fishing, hiking and going for Hill Country motorcycle rides. She loves spending time with her pets, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Her dream has always been to make as significant of an impact on her students as her teacher/coach mentors made on her.
Elizabeth’s thoughts on Keitha: “Ms. St. Clair has always supported and encouraged me throughout the years to be the best version of myself. She has set a great example for me and my classmates. I chose her to be my teacher of influence because I couldn’t imagine my time at Blanco High School without her.”
6. Ashlee LaRue
About Ashlee: Ashlee will attend the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, where she will also play for the softball team. She plans to study civil engineering. “After college graduation I hope to travel to cities around the world that have been affected by natural disasters In hopes to restore those communities.”
Ashlee’s teacher of influence: Matt Karnes.
About Matt: Matt Karnes has been a teacher and coach for 19 years, five of which have been in Blanco. He has teaching certificates in English language arts and reading, social studies, physical education and speech communications. He and his wife, Jane, have two children, Kelly and Justin. In his free time, Matt enjoys watching sports and reading as well and attending Texas country music concerts with his wife.
Ashlee’s thoughts on Matt: “I chose him because he has taught and coached me ever since I moved to Blanco and has always been one of my biggest supporters! I’ve always found him very easy to talk to because he has such a caring personality. He has taught me so much whether on the court, field, or in life itself. And I’m thankful to have had him as not only a coach but also as a friend during my time here in Blanco.”
7. Malinda Campbell
About Malinda: She will attend Abilene Christian University, where she plans on pursuing majors in graphic and interior design. “Upon college graduation, I want to become a commercial interior designer or graphic designer for a company.”
Malinda’s teacher of influence: Amy Petri.
About Amy: Amy has been a teacher for 16 years, 14 of which have been at Blanco ISD. She holds certifications in vocational home economics education and fourth through eighth grade generalist. She is the CTE coordinator, a family and consumer sciences teacher, a senior class sponsor, an FCCLA advisor, and the JV and varsity cheer coach. Amy earned a bachelor of science degree in human sciences education at Tarleton State University, and a master’s degree in secondary education with a specialization in educational technology at Texas State University. Amy and her husband, Colt, live in Blanco along with their large extended family. In her free time, Amy enjoys supporting all of her students as they participate in extracurricular activities, baking and cooking, working in the yard, fishing at the coast, spending time with family, and visiting the family homestead in Harper, with her husband. She is a member of the Blanco Church of Christ.
Malinda’s thoughts on Amy: “Mrs. Petri is one of the best people I know. She is always caring and pushing you to do your best. As my teacher, she wants me to have the best education and has taught me to follow my dreams. As my cheer coach, she is always making me give all I have to my team and is pushing me to have fun. She has been one of my biggest supporters and I am not ready to say goodbye to her yet. I love Mrs. Petri so much and can’t thank her enough for everything she has done for me over the years.”
8. Addy Seymour
About Addy: She will attend Texas A&M University to study engineering, “I hope to be a pilot in the Air Force.”
Addy’s teacher of influence: Michael Seales.
About Michael: He has been teaching and coaching for 22 years, with 19 years at Blanco Middle School teaching sixth grade social studies for nine years and eighth grade social studies for nine years. He has coached volleyball and basketball at the junior high, and JV basketball, varsity cross country and varsity softball at the high school. Michael graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health and fitness management and a masters degree in education from Southwest Texas State University (Texas State). His teaching certificates consist of physical education and history composite. He has been married to Jennifer Seales for 27 years. They have two children, Meaghen, who now teaches and coaches in Comfort, and Garrett, who is currently attending Texas A&M University.
Addy’s thoughts on Michael: “Coach Seales has always been a great coach and mentor.”
9. Kyla Davis
About Kyla: She will attend Texas A&M University to study zoology.
Kyla’s teacher of influence: Gina Blankenburg.
About Gina: She grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Lee High School. She was active in student council and played in the orchestra. Gina attended Southwest Texas State University, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in geography. She started teaching at Blanco High School in the fall of 2000. Since joining the BHS staff, she has taught geography, government, AP government, economics, AP Macroeconomics, world history and AP U.S. history. She also coaches UIL Social Studies, Current Events and Literary Criticism. “I am incredibly grateful for having the opportunity to work with such great students and staff.”
Kyla’s thoughts on Gina: “I chose Mrs. Blankenburg as my teacher of influence. I had her class for three years in high school and I knew her before that because I played softball with her daughter. Being from a small town in Texas you don’t learn much about the rest of the world. But she taught us. She really prepared me for life outside of Blanco and made my high school experience much more enjoyable!”
10. Sierra Theriot
About Sierra: She plans to attend Texas State University and to major in wildlife biology. She hopes to “do some kind of wildlife rehabilitation work or research in the future.”
Sierra’s teacher of influence: Elizabeth Hoff.
About Elizabeth: She will be starting her second year as the district librarian in the upcoming school, but she previously was an English teacher at Blanco High School for three years. She graduated from The University of North Texas in 2008 with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature and went on to get a masters degree in library and information science in 2012. Before coming to teach in Blanco, She was a youth services librarian at a public library for four years. “My husband and I have four amazing kids, three of which attend Blanco Elementary. I have loved spending time teaching and learning with the amazing staff and students of Blanco and I look forward to many more years of being a Panther. I am so honored to be considered a teacher of influence by one of our incredible students.”
Sierra’s thoughts on Elizabeth: “Mrs. Hoff was my English teacher and now our librarian. Through this last year of high school, I always looked forward to completing puzzles with her in the library, even though I could be a little ‘aggressive’ when I couldn’t find the right pieces. She is always very relatable, kind, and easy to talk to. Overall, Mrs. Hoff is just a wonderful person and made even the most dreadful days enjoyable.”
Editor’s note: Members of the Top 10 of the Blanco High School graduating class are normally treated to a banquet, in which they can also honor their “teacher of influence.” The banquet wasn’t held this year due to coronavirus, so they were provided that opportunity at this month’s school board meeting.
