A cafeteria full of Oconee County Chamber of Commerce members, school officials, students, teachers and parents gathered for a breakfast Thursday at the Family Life Enrichment Center.

The 2012 STAR students and teachers from all five high schools located in the county were recognized with a plaque and the students were gifted $100 by Athens First Bank.  It was announced that Berta Franzluebbers of Oconee County High School is the system winner who will advance to compete with other system winners. Local school system STAR students move up to compete for regional honors in 12 STAR regions across the state. Winners at the regional level vie for the state STAR award.

The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Georgia's outstanding high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development, according to the PAGE Foundation. Students must have the highest score on a single test date on the three-part SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average, the website notes.

See more photos by Kate McDaniel: https://picasaweb.google.com/111622338385104800277/ChamberBreakfastSTARSTUDENT21612#

2012 STAR Winners:

 
Athens Academy

Student-  Braden Lapp - National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Wes Smith Award, Honor Guard, National Honor's Society, Golf Team, goalie on roller hockey team (for Grayson High School),  Pep Band, Concert Band, Student Council. Active with Habitat for Humanity and Athens-area homeless shelter.

Teacher- Mr. Mike Fitzsimmons

North Oconee High School

Student- Cheng "Peter" Chen - AP scholar with distinction, UGA honors program student, GA Certificate of Merit, Oconee Scholar, Principal's Honor Role, Spanish Honor's Society, National Merit Commended Scholar, Varsity Academic Team, Cross Country, JV Team Ambassador award-winner, Track and Field, Community Baseball volunteer program, Tutor, Researcher at UGA, Youth Leadership Oconee, Beta Club Officer, National Leadership Conference participant.

Teacher- Mrs. Jeanette Phillips

Oconee County High School

Student- Berta Franzluebbers - Literary Competition, Georgia Mathlete, Georgia Certificate of Merit, Phi Kappa Phi, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Semifinalist, Beta Club, Team Oconee.

Teacher- Tom Drewry

Prince Ave. Christian School

Student- Kaitlyn Brown - Wolverine Academian Bronze, National Merit Commended Scholar, "Singular Moment in a Teacher's Career" award , Beta Club, National Honor's Society, ACSI Service Award, Year Book Co-editor-in-chief, Founder of school Recycling program, Ecology Club.

Teacher- Ms. Joann Drake

Westminster Christian Academy

Student- Ryan Wise - Honor Graduate, National Honor Society Member, Beta Club, FCA Leadership Team, Soccer player, Student Council Treasurer.

Teacher- Mrs. Emma Stephens