Top 3 ALL-STAR Scholars & STAR Teachers Honored at Education Celebration
A Northwest Rankin High School student with a perfect 36 composite score on the American College Test (ACT), combine scores of 144 and grade point average of 101.0862 has been named Mississippi’s TOP ALL-STAR Scholars for 2024. Emily Lu is the daughter of Duanjun Lu and Jiang Ruilian of Brandon, Mississippi. Lu will receive a $24,000 scholarship provided by the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. She plans to attend the University of Mississippi where she will study Architecture. Each STAR Student is asked to designate a STAR Teacher – the teacher who has made the greatest contribution to the student’s scholastic achievement. Lu designated Trisha M. Gilbreath as her STAR Teacher of Brandon, Mississippi. She has been teaching for 17 years and this is her 6th time to be named STAR Teacher.
Blake E. Bell a St. Andrew’s Episcopal School STAR Student has been named 1st runner-up and will receive a $20,000 Scholarship from the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. His parents are Chad and Melissa Bell of Madison, Mississippi. Blake designated Claudia S. Bhagat of Madison, Mississippi as his STAR Teacher. She has been teaching for 12 years and this is her 1st time being named STAR Teacher.
Eduardo L. Esperon, Jr. a Southaven High School STAR student has been named 2nd runner- up and will receive a $16,000 Scholarship from the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. His parents are Eduardo and Maggie Esperon of Southaven, Mississippi. Eduardo designated Sarah Rausch of Olive Branch as her STAR Teacher. She has been teaching for 5 years. This is her 1st time being named STAR Teacher.
Each STAR Teacher of the top three ALL-STAR Scholars received a $1,000 award. One-time scholarship awards of $1,000 are provided to the remaining top 17 ALL-STAR Scholars. The remaining 17 All-Star Teachers received a $500 award. The Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. provided $88,500 in scholarships and awards to STAR Students and STAR Teachers.
The theme for the 2024 Education Event was “Pathways to Success.” This year, the MEC’s STAR program recognized 298 STAR Students across the state. Each STAR Student received a medallion, lapel pin and certificate in recognition of their academic achievement. The event was held on April 4, 2024, at the Clyde Muse Center, Pearl, Mississippi.
STAR Requirements and Education Celebration
The student must have an ACT score of at least 25 and an overall average of 93 or above in selected subjects in the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and first-semester twelfth grades. Visit the STAR website at www.msstarstudent.org for additional information on requirements on STAR Student and STAR Teacher. Only permanent record label ACT scores on file in the high school office are to be considered. WE DO NOT USE SUPER SCORES FOR THE STAR PROGRAM.
Your package MUST include the following documents:
- STAR Student Biographical Information Form (complete numerical grade column(s) – 2 semesters or 1 unit list final grade twice. One semester or one-half unit list final grade once).
- STAR Student Grade and Photo Release Form
- STAR Teacher Photo Release Form
- Photos of both STAR Student and STAR Teacher
Please send package to:
Attn: Vickie Powell
M.B. Swayze Educational Foundation
STAR Program
P. O. Box 23276
Jackson, MS 39225-3276
For additional information or questions Click Here.
The Education Celebration will take place on April 4th at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl, MS. The facility is located at Clyde Muse Center 515 Country PL Parkway, Pearl, MS 39208. The students, teachers and their family, friends and guest will have an opportunity to celebrate. We will provide further information about the Educational Celebration as the date approaches.
Mark your Calendar with these important dates:
- February 4th Deadline for submitting STAR Student and STAR Teacher information (including photos for both student and teacher)
- March 4th Deadline for submission of attendee list from both student and Teacher
- April 4th STAR 2024 Education Celebration
Theme: Pathways to Success
For your convenience, you may download the attached STAR form and Student/Teacher Bio form from the STAR website at www.msstarstudent.org.
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION NEEDED
Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, Maddox Foundation Support MEC’s STAR Program
Please click below for more information regarding the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation and Maddox Foundation's support for MEC's Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program award recipients from across the state.
The Mississippi Economic Council and its M.B. Swayze Foundation sponsor the Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program in an effort to encourage scholastic achievement among the state's high school students. The STAR Program has two specific purposes:
- Emphasize scholastic excellence and encourage greater scholastic effort among Mississippi students.
- Recognition of the teaching profession.