By Andy Diffenderfer
Correspondent
Walker County high school seniors recognized last week as part of a statewide academic achievement program said their honors would not have been possible without teachers who inspired and motivated them.
The Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition program honors Georgia’s outstanding high school seniors and the teachers they chose as most instrumental in their development. At the Walker County Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Katie Sickler of Ridgeland High, Devin Shields of Gordon Lee High and Chris McHugh of LaFayette High were named STAR students.
“Since its existence, the Chamber has sponsored the STAR program,” said Brenda Noblitt, chairwoman of the Chamber’s education committee. “It is one of the most important projects of the Chamber. Teachers put so much time and effort into these kids.”
STAR students must have the highest SAT scores in their class and be in the top 10 percent of their class.
System STAR scholars compete for regional honors. Region winners and their teachers are invited to compete for state scholarships and awards.
Miss Sickler chose honors world history instructor Ryan Bandy as her STAR teacher.
“He’s done so much to make sure I have everything I need,” she said.
Miss Sickler, who is headed to Georgia Tech and will major in mathematics and physics, praised the Ridgeland teachers for “challenging me and allowing me to accelerate my education.”
Mr. Shields, who will attend Brigham Young University and study astrophysics, picked advanced placement U.S. history teacher Kevin McElhaney as his STAR teacher.
HONORED STUDENTSChris McHugh, LaFayette High SchoolKatie Sickler, Ridgeland HighDevin Shields, Gordon Lee HighLEARN MOREVisit the Walker County Schools Web site at http://www2.walkerschools.org/
He said Mr. McElhaney “allowed me to see solutions and to look at all points of view. He taught me critical thinking skills I can use for the rest of my life, and gave me the tools and guidance I needed.”
Mr. McElhaney called Mr. Shields “the student every teacher would love to have. He helped those around him become better students and made me work to be better.”
Mr. McHugh picked Tara Tollett, an English teacher now at Heritage High School, as his STAR teacher. He also took a class from her called College Success, in which students learn about the application process and work on vocabulary and test-taking skills.
“She taught me to think outside the box, and pushed me to do better,” said Mr. McHugh, who plans to attend the University of Georgia to major in either mathematics or pharmacy.
Andy Diffenderfer is based in LaFayette, Ga. Contact him at andydiff97@comcast.net.