Jerry Fan of Lakeside High School has received a noteworthy recognition, having been named the 2025 PAGE STAR Student Region Winner for Region 7, the CSRA.
The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), has honored over 30,000 students and teachers since its inception in 1958.
To be nominated for the STAR program, high school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average.
Twelve time STAR teacher on Fan’s achievements
STAR begins each year in participating high schools throughout Georgia with a STAR Student being named and choosing a STAR Teacher to share in the recognition.
Jerry selected Dr. John Cato, his physics teacher, as his STAR teacher.
This is Dr. Cato’s 12th year being selected by a STAR student from Lakeside High School.
“It’s a real honor…any kind of award that’s coming from a student, it means a lot…the student did all the work, I’m just kind of riding on the coattails of their success, but it does mean a lot to me that they feel I had a big impact on them,” said Dr. Cato.
The physics instructor described Fan as an instrumental part of Lakeside High School with “a big smile and a big heart.”
Fan has participated in Augusta University research, gives up his time for volunteer hours, supports conservation efforts at Phinizy Swamp and captained his high school’s science bowl team. A well-rounded student with a busy schedule, Dr. Cato said that Fan’s excellence spans beyond his academic achievements.
“Jerry is such a nice, wonderful, humble young man. He has a tremendous heart. He’s just a super person,” he said. “There’s so many outstanding qualities about Jerry, just as a human being…he’s going to do wonderful things.”
A chance to win at the state level
Fan will now compete for the honor of being named State PAGE STAR Student in April.
This competition in Atlanta will be an all day event, where students fighting for the title will be interviewed, write essays and talk with a panel of judges. The state winner will receive a monetary prize and will receive a local TV interview the next day in Atlanta.
