It’s a bit unfair to describe Emily McKarnin as just an honor student.
Yes, she makes “almost” straight A’s.
But coupled with her extra-curricular activities, job, and chores on the family farm, the Iola High School senior keeps a very busy schedule.
And then there’s her hobby of riding horses.
On Jan. 9, McKarnin took top honors at the Mid-Eastern Kansas Western Horseman’s Association Banquet for horse events and rodeos through 2015. The events include everything from timed competitions with barrel and pole racing, to judged events, such as western pleasure, where a horse’s behavior is rated at more leisurely pace.
The circuit is one of several to keep McKarnin busy through the year. She’s also a member of the National Barrel Horse Association and Eastern Kansas Timed Event Circuit.
A MEMBER of Prairie Dell 4-H club, McKarnin, the daughter of Robert and Karen McKarnin, received the prestigious Key Award in November, given in recognition of community service, leadership and 4-H participation.
She was active during the holidays by helping with the Community Pantry, and “adopting” a family in need of assistance by supplying food and other gifts.
She also works frequently with younger 4-Hers on their horse and dog projects, while helping maintain and clean up the horse barn at the Allen County Fairgrounds. McKarnin also has served as a dog leader.
Those extra awards are nice, she admits, but all are a distant second on her list of priorities.
“My grades come first,” she admits. “If my grades slip, I won’t do anything else.”
To illustrate, McKarnin points to the upcoming spring sports season. She played softball for Iola High her first three years of high school, but likely will skip her final season in order to focus more on her studies and equine-related activities outside the classroom.
McKarnin’s ultimate goal is to attend Kansas Sate University, where she will focus on a career in veterinary medicine.
McKarnin works part-time at the Red Barn Veterinarian Clinic.
