STAR: Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Program

Star Teachers and students were celebrated at our February 14th meeting. The LaGrange Rotary is the only original sponsor of this program, participating in it since its conception in 1959. Five area high schools take part in this event with each school identifying the senior who was in the top 10% of their class and has the highest score in one sitting of the SAT exam through November of their senior year. The selected senior then selects the teacher whom they wish to honor.

The overall senior is then selected by the Troup County School STAR committee to represent the district in the next level of the competition. This year Neil Harshvadan Patel was selected as this overall senior. Neil plans to pursue Chemical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

This program provides an additional valuable link between our schools and our club. For the cost of approximately 24 lunches students get an opportunity to practice their public speaking skills, publicly thank a teacher who made a difference in their lives, showcase their accomplishments and share their ambitions with our Rotary members.

The time that is involved includes communication with school district officials, representatives from the area newspapers and planning for the actual event.

This program is also covered by area papers so it does give the schools and our club positive press coverage but more importantly a chance to celebrate the achievements of our most talented and deserving high school seniors.