Some of southcentral Kentucky’s most active leaders took a break to relax and be recognized Thursday evening at the 2009 Rising Stars Banquet at the South Central Bank Operations Center. Amy Lee, Glasgow Daily Times general manager, said the community is lucky to have so many outstanding men and women.

“We all know rising stars. They are the go getters and they inspire others with their actions both in their areas of expertise and elsewhere,” she said. “Fortunately, we live in an area where such people are in abundance.”

Lee said it was an honor to be standing among this group of community leaders. The class includes Dr. Kathy Bruner, Jerry Carter, Monica Conrad, Keith Hale, Chris Isenberg, Dr. Amelia Kiser and Nancy Vanderveer.

“As I was reading about this year’s recipients I was just struck by the fact that as different as their vocations and volunteer work that they do might be, they all have a few similarities. Each of them believes in giving back to their communities, each enjoys meeting and interacting with new and different people, and in their own and special way, each of them honors others and doesn’t seek recognition for themselves,” she said.

Dr. Bruner, a pathologist and the director of pathology for five area hospitals, is a member of Associated Pathologists and was formerly involved with Junior League as well as Glasgow’s chapter of the Business and Professional Women, where she is the vice president of membership.

“This is a great group of people and it’s a true honor to be recognized, thank you,” she said.

Carter is the vice president of member and corporate services for Farmers Rural Electric Cooperative, where he oversees the company’s safety program among other roles. He credits the community for making his job so enjoyable and tries to give back anyway he can. He enjoys what he calls “grillin’ n’ chillin” at local events where the company purchases and grills lots of food, then donates the proceeds to local school systems and service groups.

“I want to thank whoever the soul may be who nominated me, I do appreciate it greatly. This is a great class and it’s a great honor to be recognized here,” he said.

Conrad grew up in the hospitality industry and studied restaurant hotel and tourism management in college, worked at a restaurant, and she and her husband later opened their own. So when the manager position at Barren River State Resort Park came open, it was a natural fit for her. She is immediate past president of the Glasgow Business and Professional Women, involved in Junior Achievement, the Glasgow-Barren County Tourism Commission, Far Off Broadway Players, the Kentucky Restaurant Association South Central, Caveland Marketing Association, Friends of Barren River and the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce.

“Thanks to all of you for being here tonight. Thanks to my husband who puts up with that crazy schedule. As we all know when you give back to your community and you’re in volunteer activities it keeps you busy, but I think it’s what makes small communities great communities is that people give back. Thanks to those I work with at Barren River State Park, I couldn’t make it two days without them. And to my sisters at B & PW who support me in so many endeavors, thank you,” she said.

Hale is the principal at Barren County High School. Assistant superintendent Bill Walter told members at a recent school board meeting that the record-breaking successes of the students at the school would not have come to fruition without Hale’s influence. His affect on the school culture drives student motivation and the pride they have for their school and academics, he said.

“If I’m a rising star I want to recognize the people who hold me up, and a lot of them came out here tonight to show their support. And I do appreciate it, thank you all,” he said.

Isenberg is the director of Bowling Park in Edmonton and tries to coordinate new and exciting activities for people to do, regardless of their age. Some favorites are the Hot Wheel racing and the backseat driver events. He dedicates time to the Edmonton-Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce, where he stops traffic by doing the chicken dance at the annual membership drive events. He also oversees a homeless shelter, food pantry and a thrift store at the park.

“A lot of people don’t realize how many hours we put in while giving back and we do enjoy giving back,” he said. “One thing is that since the article ran, I’ve been stopped at least 20 times asking me to do the chicken dance.”

Dr. Kiser is a physician in family medicine and works at T.J. Samson Community Hospital’s Wound Care Center, as well as being a member of the Glasgow School Board and is involved in many other church and professional groups, including the Glasgow chapter of Business and Professional Women.