1st row, teacher Chris Peace and student Banks Bell; 2nd row from left, parents Todd and Angela Bell, counselor Linda Warren, Supt. of Schools Dr. Jennifer Brown and Chamber chair-elect DeWana Fields.

1st row teacher-coach Kerry Morris and student Grant Fletcher; 2nd row from left, guidance counselor Leslie Godwin, parents Jason Fletcher and Alyson Sheffield and Chamber’s DeWana Fields

Early County High School senior Banks Bell and Southwest Georgia Academy senior Grant Fletcher were announced as the county’s STAR STUDENT award winners at a Blakely Rotary Club meeting in December. The STAR STUDENT and STAR TEACHER project is sponsored by the Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Rotary Club. Chamber Chairwoman-elect DeWana Fields presented the checks to the winners.

As the systemwide county winner, Bell will compete further in statewide competition. He named Early County High School teacher Chris Peace as his STAR TEACHER. Fletcher named SGA teacher and head football coach Kerry Morris as his STAR TEACHER honoree. The Rotary Club awarded the student winners $500 each and Bell received a bonus of $250 for being systemwide winner. Each STAR TEACHER took home a $100 gift certificate to be used in local businesses.

Bell, a four-year letterman on the ECHS tennis team (coached by his mother Angela Bell), will attend Georgia Technological Institute in the fall. He is particularly gifted in computer science and was a key cog in the school’s development of such a program. Banks is a dually-enrolled student. By graduation, he will have earned enough credits from ABAC to almost be classified as a sophomore at Tech.

In thanking Bell for the honor of being his STAR TEACHER, Peace said, “In my mind, there is not a more rewarding moment than having a student say that you made a difference in their life as an educator." He also said Bell exemplifies his belief that “a great student is not just someone who earns high grades but someone who demonstrates a strong commitment to learning, personal growth and discipline.”

He added other virtues of top students: “They are naturally curious and eager to explore new ideas; they ask insightful questions; they manage their time effectively; they stay focused; they see failures not as obstacles but more as opportunities to learn; they think outside the box. Ultimately a great student is dedicated, curious and willing to put in the effort to learn and grow…” He went on to say, “Banks Bell personifies these qualities… he brings great questions to class. I cannot think of anything that he would be able to accomplish…as long as he sets his mind on the task and pursues it with the same tenacity and vigor that he has demonstrated during his high school years,”

SGA Administrator Matt Dalrymple said that in addition to Grant Fletcher's scholastic and athletic abilities, “he always has a smile on his face.” A four-year member of the Warrior football team and All-Region selection three times, Grant has attended SGA for 14 years. He’s been a Beta Club and Student Council member for four years and in FFA for one year. He has won myriad academic subject awards. Grant also received the UGA Certificate of Merit and was Junior Marshal at SGA graduation last year.