The Advocate-Messenger's 2011 Rising Stars project highlights area high school seniors who have shown great promise in and out of school.

This year, a six-member board chose 16 seniors from a pool of 42 of the area's most outstanding young adults, as nominated by their high schools. Each of the 16 will receive a $100 award from the Advocate-Messenger.
2011 Rising Stars Teacher: Erin Milburn of Mercer County Senior High School

2011 Rising Stars Teacher: Erin Milburn of Mercer County Senior High School

Mercer County Senior High School English teacher Erin Milburn can teach the science-lover Shakespeare, the math mind Melville and classics literature connoisseur Capote.

  • Rising Stars shine in Central Kentucky: Advocate highlights area's best, brightest, busiest students

  • Something comes along with the caps and gowns, the senior yearbooks, the graduation goodbyes. It's a delicate yet unmistakable feeling...

  • Rising Stars sound off about their college selections

  • Members of the Rising Stars Class of 2011 talk about their college plans.

  • Rising Stars reflect on high school as college calls

  • Commencement is so close students can nearly see the flock of graduation caps soaring in the distance.

  • Members of the 2011 Rising Stars Silver Team

  • The members of the 2011 Rising Stars Silver team are: