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The calendar is an indispensable tool for ordering and recording events.

A longtime custom of the Elizabethton Star is to pick 12 lovely girls to represent the 12 months on the calendar; thus, they are known as the Star Calendar Girls. The girls are presented each year, usually in January or February, and not only do they represent the 12 months of the year, but they are chosen from local high schools.

The Elizabethton Star’s annual Calendar Girls debuted in January 1958, making this the 67th year for the annual feature, which features 12 girls selected from Elizabethton High School, Carter County’s four high schools (Cloudland, Hampton, Happy Valley, and Unaka), and Johnson County High School.

Sadly, the Star’s first Calendar Girl, Sonya Young Sams, died Oct. 20, 2023. She was 83 years old.

The first Calendar Girls consisted of 12 Elizabethton High School students. Today, Calendar Girls are selected from schools in Carter and Johnson counties and are sponsored by local businesses.

In fact, one sponsor—Citizens Bank—has been an annual sponsor for this feature since its inception.

This year’s Calendar Girls are:

Miss January: Marley Townsend, a senior at Johnson County High School. Her hobbies include tennis, spending time with family, being outdoors, and serving at her church. She is the daughter of Anthony and Tonya Townsend.

Miss February: Makenzie Street, daughter of Amber and Joel Street, is a senior at Cloudland High School. She enjoys basketball, pickleball, reading, and weightlifting.

Miss March: Ella Eastep is a senior at Hampton High School. Ella enjoys playing basketball for HHS, where she has played varsity all four years. When she is not playing or practicing, she enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as babysitting. Ella is also a member of the National Honor Society, HOSA—completed her CNA this year—Fellowship of Student Athletes, and Student Council. She is the daughter of Keri Miller.

Miss April: Piper Kate Bennett, daughter of Randall and Jancey Bennett, is a junior at Elizabethton High School. Her hobbies are softball, pickleball, cooking, crafting, nail art, spending time with friends, shopping, youth group activities, and supporting the Betsy Cyclones!

Miss May: Khloe Jane Markland, a junior at Unaka High School, is the granddaughter of Judy and Joel Veeneman. Khloe enjoys cooking and baking for her friends and family, hunting, fishing, learning and doing new things, and driving around in her truck with the radio on.

Miss June: Cayden Annagail Anderson, a senior at Happy Valley High School, is the daughter of Rik and Scarlett Anderson. Cayden’s hobbies include being basketball captain (defensive player of the year 2023-24), golf captain (four-time regional qualifier), NHS president, FBLA webmaster, Pep Club leader, SGA, FCA, Key Club, yearbook, member of Magill Presbyterian Church, hanging out with friends and family, and reading.

Miss July: Lexi Mullins, daughter of Chris and Amanda Mullins, is a junior at Johnson County High School. Lexi enjoys tennis, cheer, volleyball, swimming, and spending time with family.

Miss August: Maleah Scalf, a junior at Hampton High School, is the daughter of Amanda and Jonathan Scalf. Maleah loves family, friends, and sports and stays active with volleyball, cheerleading, and softball. She enjoys teamwork and competition while making lasting memories. Outside of sports, she cherishes time with loved ones through game nights, outings, and relaxing together.

Miss September: Sydney Greene, a senior at Elizabethton High School, is the daughter of Kristen Greene and Stephen Greene. Sydney enjoys going to concerts and hanging out with family and friends. Sydney is in the NHS, Rho Kappa, and she competed in the EHS CSI Competition for two years in a row.

Miss October: Callie Hardin, a senior at Unaka High School, is the daughter of Andy and Monica Hardin. Callie enjoys playing piano, singing, painting, watching the Tennessee Vols play, and spending time with the people she loves!

Miss November: Madeline Olivia Ashley, daughter of Melissa Ashley and Dennis Ashley, is a junior at Happy Valley High School. Madeline enjoys Speech and Debate, Key Club, and yearbook.

Miss December: Caroline Shell, a senior at Cloudland High School, is the daughter of Rachel Ferguson. Caroline enjoys playing softball and hanging out with friends.