The Harlem Women’s Club held its 63rd Annual Columbia County Student Teacher Achievement Recognitions, or STAR, Program Reception on Thursday night at Harlem Baptist Church.
The Augusta Kiwanis Club hosted the reception for Richmond County’s STAR students and teachers at the end of last month, recognizing the top academically performing high school seniors with the highest SAT scores from throughout the county.
Harlem Mayor Roxanne Whitaker, along with Superintendent Steven Flynt and School Board Chairman David Dekle were among those in attendance as Columbia County’s equivalent celebration.
The Professional Association of Georgia Educators, or PAGE, the organization which sponsors the STAR program, presented nine graduating seniors from Columbia County high schools. Each student gave a brief presentation to the audience about the educator they selected to be the STAR Teacher for their school. Teachers followed with their own speeches, congratulating their esteemed pupils.
For example, Sunny Holberton, one of two STAR Students selected from Augusta Christian Schools, said of math teacher Sarah White that she was “unbelievably motivating as a teacher” who encouraged her to push herself daily.
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White, in turn, invoked from Biblical scripture the verse Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God,” highlighting Holbertson’s bravery and willingness to “be different” by holding fast to her integrity.
Christian Byrd, STAR Student from Evans High School, gave a kind impromptu presentation that he likened to a jazz solo when praising his teacher, band director Zachary Bradley, telling a story of how Bradley comforted him and a bandmate during a stressful time at a music competition.
“I can say that him being there for me, and letting me just breathe, was really tremendous,” said Byrd.
Bradley, who has taught at Evans High for nearly eight years, returned the praise.
“Christian has matured into a self-motivated, loving and caring young man,” he said. “I’ve been proud to be able to experience the impact that he has had on those around him as well as the personal impact that he has now on me.”
Columbia County STAR Students and Teachers are as follows:
Hayden Faith Lamar, Augusta Christian Schools; Teacher: Emma Grace Milian
Sunny Presley Holberton, Augusta Christian Schools; Teacher: Sarah White
Sachi Priya Sharma, Augusta Preparatory School; Teacher: Eric Miller
Christian Timothy Byrd, Evans High School; Teacher: Zachary Bradley
Tianyi Zhu, Greenbrier High School; Teacher: Erin Sallette
Stephanie “Ash” Reitz, Grovetown High School; Teacher: Christy Donovan
Morgan Gunby, Harlem High School; Teacher: Stephanie Arrington
Matthew Langley, Harlem High School; Teacher: Curtis Carver
Gracelynn Jieyun Xia, Lakeside High School; Teacher: Jerry Meitin
PAGE selects a winner from each school system to go on to compete for STAR Winner of its region, and then the state. This year, two students tied for that honor in Columbia County: Sachi Priya Sharma of Augusta Preparatory Day School and Gracelynn Jieyun Xia of Lakeside High School.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
