The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce and Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) ceremony on January 26. The ceremony recognized STAR Students and Teachers from each high school, and the county winner was announced for the first time.

Two students from Northside High School tied for highest honors. Seniors Lillian Lin and Matthias Druhl were named the STAR Students for Houston County. They selected Mrs. Patricia Ogletree and Mr. Sidney Littlefield, respectively, as their STAR Teachers. They will move on to the regional competition, where the winner will be announced in the Spring.

The 2023 STAR Students and Teachers from the Houston County School District are:
Houston County High: Seojin Choi and teacher Mr. James Brock
Northside High (tie): Lillian Lin and teacher Mrs. Patricia Ogletree
Northside High (tie): Matthias Druhl and teacher Mr. Sidney Littlefield
Perry High: Gentry Arnette and teacher Dr. Dawn Knapek
Veterans High: Leif Horn and teacher Mrs. Megan Jones
Warner Robins High: Daiven Abram and teacher Mrs. Cynthia Thomas (AP Biology)
The Chambers presented each STAR Student a certificate and $100. Their STAR Teacher also received a certificate and gift. As the county STAR Student, Lin and Druhl both received an additional $400, and their STAR Teachers received $100.

“I am incredibly proud of each of our school-level STAR Students and Teachers, and I extend special congratulations to the winners from Northside High School. This is an incredible achievement, and the recognition is well deserved,” said Dr. Mark Scott, Superintendent of Schools for the Houston County School District.

The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation sponsors, administers and promotes the STAR Program, which began in 1958 to focus attention on Georgia's outstanding students and teachers. To obtain the nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT. Students must also be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average. Each STAR student selects a STAR teacher who has been the most influential to their academic success.

For more information on the STAR Student and Teacher program, contact your local Chamber of Commerce.