Chamber Recognizes Oconee STAR Students and Teachers

One student and teacher from each area high school were recognized for their many academic and instructional achievements at a breakfast reception hosted by Family LifeCare Community at the  Oconee County Chamber of Commerce morning coffee on Feb. 17.

Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) students were chosen because they are among the top 10 numerically or top 10 percent of their graduating classes and received the highest score on a single 3-part SAT Reasoning test at their respective high schools, according to criteria on the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation's website.

STAR students select a STAR teacher that has been influential in their development.

From the pool of high school STAR winners, one student is chosen to represent the school system in a regional competition.  Winners of regional competitions move on to compete at the state level, the PAGE website notes.

James Waugh of is the Oconee school system winner this year.  He advances to the regional competition on March 15, Oconee County Chamber of Commerce Manager Zoe Gattie said.

Here is a list of Oconee County's 2011 STAR students and teachers:

Student: James Waugh

Teacher: Andew Simmonds

Student: Eric Peyton

Teacher: Joseph Palmour

Student: Katarina Jenkins

Teacher: Amy Mize

Student: Daniel Jeong

Teacher: Joann Drake

Student: Kaitlyn Beck

Teacher: Mark Hamilton