There was a tie this year for Gilmer High School’s STAR recipients. Two students and two teachers have been awarded the academic honor.
Seniors Deacon Shull and Stephen Long earned the recognition. The tied winners were announced at Friday morning’s student meetings on campus.
The STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program is administered by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) every year. The Ellijay Lions Club is the local sponsor of the program, and awards a $2,000 scholarship to each winning student.
To achieve STAR student, graduating seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT, and be in the top 10 percent of their class based on GPA.
When asked what being named a STAR student meant to him, Long answered, “I’m really happy about the scholarship, but honestly I was really surprised when I got it because my SAT score was from sophomore year. I planned on taking another SAT for college, but I’m really glad I didn’t do it yet, because that meant that I got to share this award with someone else.”
Long has been able to focus on his academics, while also working a job after school and dual enrolling at Dalton State. Shull is the GHS student body president, in the marching band and a member of the baseball team.
“It really puts together all the hard work I’ve done over the years,” Shull said about winning STAR student. “I feel like it emphasizes all the people who’ve helped me along the way.”
The winning students got to name a STAR teacher, who’s influenced their academic success the most. Shull chose Hannah DeBoard, who’s now a guidance counselor at GHS, but previously taught him in both the 4th and 5th grade.
“You were just always there as a teacher, and also as a second mom,” Shull directed toward DeBoard.
Deboard said it means the world to her to receive this recognition, because it’s unusual for elementary teachers to win once their students are in high school.
“I always thought it would be great for an elementary teacher to get STAR teacher, because you teach them to do all the things, and my kids are my kids,” DeBoard voiced as she choked back tears. “It just means a lot because it’s not just ‘you’re a great teacher,’ but it’s because you helped raise them.”
Long chose Rodney Thurman, his AP World History teacher who is now retired, as his STAR teacher. He explained that he hated social studies before Thurman’s class, which was the first time he enjoyed the subject.
After graduation, Long plans to study computer science and art at Berry College, and pursue a career in animation. Shull will be attending the United States Naval Academy, with the goal of commissioning as an officer in the Navy.
The GHS prom court was also announced at Friday morning’s meetings. The juniors on court are decided by who receives the most nominations from teachers.
The 10 young women on court include Marci Barerra, Bree Burnette, Madelyn Davis, Gracie Gaitanoglou, Jada Howard, Elizabeth Kucera, Lilly Kate Seay, Kaitlyn Stonecipher, Selina Tercero Bautista and Lily Wingate.
Josh Ayers, Michael Bushey, Hunter Britain, Cooper Cochran, Bo Cronic, Alex Miltiades, Keby Puac-Cabrera, Dylan Pospisil, Cheyne Smith and Grant Young are the 10 young men on court this year.