STAR Award Winners Show the Future Is Bright
Last Friday we welcomed the top students and their teachers of DeKalb County for a festive awards event. Over lunch and congratulations by dignitaries including the mayor of Decatur, Patti Garrett, the students and teachers received their STAR certificates, Chik Fil A lunch certificates and had their pictures taken. Mayor Garrett expressed the thought on everyone’s mind that afternoon: the future is in good hands with all the bright and talented students in the room.
Each student was given a few moments to thank their STAR teachers that they nominated for making an impact on their education and lives. They also told the large crowd about their next steps as well as what they enjoy doing when not studying.
Several students and teachers were ‘System STAR Students’ who now go on to compete for region-wide honors within the 12 STAR Regions. They are:
- Student Nathan Sherrer, Teacher Fred Avett,
Chamblee Charter High School
- Student Frank Anton Banich III, Teacher Paul Johnson,
Decatur High School
- Student William Kochel, Teacher Elise Eskew-Sparks,
Decatur High School
- Student Daniel Marconi, Teacher Carrie Staines,
Druid Hills High School
Mayor Patti Garrett, representing the City of Decatur, a sponsor for the event, congratulates the winners.
The PAGE STAR students and teachers gather on the steps of the Historic DeKalb Courthouse showing their award certificates.
The large gathering had lunch together courtesy of the Decatur Rotary Club.
Dignitaries who attended included Allyson Gevertz, DeKalb County School Board and Dr. Vasanne Tinsley, Interim Superintendent, DeKalb County Schools.
STAR System winners are ready to move on to the next level of competition: Students include William Kochel, Frank Banich III, Daniel Marconi and Nathan Scherrer with host Tim Martin and Ms. BJ Jenkins.
From Arabia Mountain High School, Abdulmalik Owolabi and his STAR teacher, Itmar Roberts receive their awards.
Dahir Yonis, from Southwest DeKalb High School, poses with his STAR certificate along with his teacher, Vernitria Rice, the Rotary Host, Tim Martin on the left and Ms. BJ Jenkins, PAGE membership services director.
Cardin Ho, from Stone Mountain High School with his teacher, Vijaya Uppaluri
Shayla Amari from W.D. Mohammed High School, Teacher is Aliyah Kai (not present, represented by a friend)
The entire gathering was so pleased to hear from all the winning students about their interests, their teachers and plans for the future. Several students are shown here telling their stories.
The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Georgia’s highest achieving high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development. Since its creation in 1958 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program has honored nearly 29,000 students, who have in turn chosen their STAR Teachers to share in this recognition.
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