By Diane Glidewell
dglidewell@jacksonprogress-argus.com

Tuesday evening was a time for pride at Jackson High School as 29 students and 20 teachers were honored for academic achievement. Parents, friends, and members of the community were invited to the program recognizing the members of the JHS Class of 2010 with outstanding scores on the SAT, the most widely accepted test used as criteria for college admittance.

Katie Alling was named the STAR student for the Butts County School System at the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) banquet. Christa Miller was named the STAR teacher. Katie chose Mrs. Miller as the teacher who had been most instrumental in her academic development. Katie, the daughter of Mark and Martye Alling, achieved an SAT score of 2070 and will attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

Superintendent Lynda White introduced Katie as a “well-rounded individual.” She has performed with the JHS Red Regiment Marching Band for four years. She plays four instruments and has made All-state band twice. She has competed as a member of the JHS academic team and tennis team.

Mrs. Miller taught Katie Honors Language Arts in 11th grade and is teaching her Advanced Placement Language Arts this year. Katie credits Mrs. Miller with encouraging her not just to think outside of the box but, also, as Plato put it, to step outside of the cage.

“I’m aware of the world around me because of the curiosity she has instilled,” said Katie of her STAR teacher.

Katie and Mrs. Miller were presented savings bonds courtesy of McIntosh State Bank.

The STAR banquet was sponsored by the Exchange Club of Jackson for the 27th consecutive year. After enjoying a meal prepared by Marie King and the nutrition staff of Jackson High School, which was graciously served by volunteers from the Butts County Extension 4-H Office, students, teachers, and parents were entertained by the Henderson Middle School Chorus.

The combined 6th, 7th, and 8th grade HMS choruses delighted their audience by performing several numbers representing various styles of music, from pop selections to spirituals. The chorus was directed by Stephen Bearden, who was also one of the STAR teachers being honored.

Judge Bill Fears of the Towaliga Judicial Circuit, was the speaker for the evening. He is a 1977 graduate of Jackson High School as well as a 1981 graduate of the University of Georgia and a graduate of Woodrow Wilson Law School. Judge Fears addressed the points of family, education, and future to the STAR students.

“I’m so proud of you; your community is proud of you; the Exchange Club is proud of you,” he said in closing.

JHS Principal Duane Kline introduced each student and his or her parents and read a summary of activities and plans for each. He also introduce the STAR teachers and read the reasons students gave for choosing them. Students and teachers were presented framed certificates.

The 29 students who achieved STAR student status tied the class of 2007 for the largest number at JHS. To be included, the student had to score at least 1500 total on the three parts of the SAT.

The 2010 STAR students are (alphabetically): Luke Akin, Katie Alling, Kristina Bates, Keith Bell, Kandy Carey, Ariel Cobb, Erin Evans, Justin Farquhar, Alissa Fenrick, Brandon Fletcher, Jay Glidewell, Jody Glidewell, Steven Higginbotham, Mitchell Hudson, Joh-Erik Jackson, Jerry Johnson, Todd Jones, Candi Jordan, Melissa Lavinder, Ta-Mia McGruder, Justin Munson, Riley Newman, Brittany Norris, Morgan Shadix, Dylan Smith, Shelby Smith, Trent Thompson, Terrence Major, and Takeesha White.

The 2020 STAR teachers are Mark Alling, Stephen Bearden, Jodi Braswell, Marcia Clark, Stephen Crocker, Mary Jo Dunn, James Elliott, Bill Glass, Caressa Tanner Gordon, Georgia Hayes, Anne Kline, Stan Koterba, Laura LaChappelle, Christa Miller, Cindy Olander, Lynn Patrick-Watson, Kevin Shivers, Patrick Varallo, Jordan White, and Patricia Woodward. Mr. Shivers and Mr. Varallo were each chosen by two students. Mr. Crocker and Mrs. Kline were chosen by three students, and Mrs. Miller was selected by four students.