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Young leader inspires others
As a little girl, Charisse Knorr was heavily involved in the church, and continues to be to this day. She even wrote her mother a note saying how much she loved church, and would even live there if she could. She applied that love by devoting her energy to the church, becoming the Church Moderator, or president, of the General Youth Council – a youth ministry with only 10 other members around the country. And now her devotion has paid off another way by being one of seven students in the United States to be selected to the Higher Education & Leadership Ministries Leadership Fellows Program. As a high school student and lifelong resident of Maryville, Knorr has participated in everything from cheerleading to National Honor Society. Having been heavily involved as a member of the First Christian Church in Maryville, Knorr has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of youths from all over the nation. She has traveled to various states and, as the moderator for the General Youth Council, will address more than 500 kids at ICYF – a national church camp for kids. Knorr said addressing a crowd leaves her a little nervous at first, but as soon as she starts talking, the nerves fade away. The First Christian Church and its members taught Knorr a lot about religion, but the neat thing for her is that through her travel and experiences with “the bigger church,” she can teach them about things she learned from a broader standpoint. This fall, Knorr will attend Chapman University in Orange, Calif. She will enter college with an undecided major. She knew what college she would attend and the beginning of her high school days. Knorr traveled to the campus during summer breaks her freshman and sophomore years and always thought the campus was beautiful. “I remember when they told me they had a slot open, I was so excited,” she said. “It’s amazing because they have such a low acceptance rate.” With the cost of college higher on the West Coast, Knorr said it helps that she received the HELM scholarship and another scholarship through the Disciples of Christ Church. The HELM Leadership Fellows Program provides several ways to help students explore and strengthen their leadership potential. Students in the HELM program design their own covenant, attend leadership conferences, participate in summer internships, receive a $2,000 grant at the beginning of each school year and maintain contact with HELM staff and other denominational leaders. Knorr, who graduated in the top 10 percent of her class Sunday from Maryville High School, was a member of National Honor Society, captain of the cheerleading squad, was the school’s only twirler and was involved in the International Club. Several members of the International Club will travel to Costa Rica on May 29, something Knorr is looking forward to. Not only was she the only school twirler since her freshman year, Knorr also teaches younger children how to twirl. When she isn’t participating in church or school activities, Knorr can be found riding horses. Her family owns 10 horses, but she has a special horse named Coach. Knorr is the daughter of Deena and Philip Poynter, Maryville, and Paul and Lori Knorr, Carson, Iowa. She has one full brother, Adam, two stepsisters, Jill and Kassie, and two stepbrothers, Jeremy and John. “I consider all of them to be my brothers and sisters, I don’t think of them as step or full,” Knorr said. “My family is very important to me, we are very close. I am my mom’s baby. They are the ones that got me involved in church.” After college, Knorr said seminary might be a possibility. “I might want to do something with the ministry,” she said. “Probably youth ministry.” Although some of her classmates and friends aren’t as religious, Knorr said that doesn’t bother her a bit. “I’m very loving,” she said. “No matter who you are or if you go to church, I’ll love you anyway. It doesn’t create boundaries or barriers for me.” During high school, Knorr worked as an assistant manager at Baskin Robbins and is currently a waitress at A&G Restaurant. Knorr said her last day of high school was both exciting and sad. “This was my class – I grew up with these people,” she said. “And now I won’t see them everyday.” While the college she chose to attend is clear across the country, Knorr said it is something she is looking forward to. She believes her open personality will her adjust to a different …
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