Learn more about the man whose Foundation helps fund our ALL-STAR Scholarships
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 13th 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:
- December 31st - Last accepted test date for consideration in the 2023 STAR Education Celebration
- February 1st - Deadline for submitting STAR Student and Teacher Information (including photos for both student and Teacher)
- March 1st - Deadline for submission of attendee list from both Student and teacher
- April 13th - STAR 2023 Education Celebration
Theme: The Pursuit of Excellence
For your convenience, you may download the attached STAR form and Student/Teacher Bio form from the STAR website at www.msstarstudent.org.
MEC’s M.B. Swayze Foundation Honors 320 STAR Students at Education Celebration
A Clinton High School student with a perfect 36 composite score on the American College Test (ACT), combined scores of 144, and an average of 103.03 has been named Mississippi’s TOP ALL-STAR Scholar for 2022. Abigail S. Vargheese is the daughter of Venu and Betsy Vargheese of Clinton, MS. Vargheese will receive a $24,000 scholarship provided by the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. She is undecided on where she will attend college but plans to study Biology and Biochemistry. Each STAR Student is asked to designate a STAR Teacher – the teacher who has made the greatest contribution to the student’s scholastic achievement. Vargheese designated Joshaunda L. Purvis as her STAR Teacher of Byram, MS. She has been teaching for 16 years and this is her first time being named STAR Teacher.
Shreenithi Lakshminarayanan, a Germantown High 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. Her parents are Lakshminarayanan Vaidyananthan and Sripriya Sairam of Madison, MS. Shreenithi designated Kelly M. Hicks of Madison as her STAR Teacher. She has been teaching for 11 year and this is her second time being named STAR Teacher.
Madeline G. Pitre, a Biloxi 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. Her parents are David and Laurie Pitre. Pitre designated Michael Burkett of Carriere as her STAR Teacher. He has been teaching for 25 years. He has been named STAR Teacher four times.
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 2022 Education Event was “Journey to the Stars.” This year, the MEC’s M. B. Swayze Foundation recognized 320 STAR Students across the state. Each STAR Student received a medallion, lapel pin, and certificate in recognition of their academic achievement.
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.