Five graduating seniors in the Carroll County School System have been named STAR students at their respective high schools for the 2024-2025 school year and were recognized by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce at its annual STAR Student and Teacher Recognition Breakfast.
The STAR program, administered statewide by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, recognizes the student who has the highest SAT score in his or her graduating class at each high school each year.
Every STAR student selects a teacher who has had the most influence on his or her academic achievement during the entire school career. This teacher is honored as the school’s STAR teacher.
The awards were presented during the chamber’s membership breakfast which was held at the Carroll County Schools Performing Arts Center.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce to recognize our STAR Students and STAR Teachers,” Carroll County Schools Superintendent Scott Cowart said. “We know these students will continue to achieve success after graduation and will develop into leaders in our community. We also congratulate our STAR Teachers and acknowledge their commitment to being premier and making a difference in the lives of students.”
The STAR breakfast honored STAR students and teachers from Carroll County Schools, Carrollton City Schools and Oak Mountain Academy.
Bowdon High School – Destiny Richardson
Destiny Richardson is the STAR Student at Bowdon High School. Richardson’s father is Matthew Richardson. Richardson has excelled academically regardless of subject area and has received numerous academic awards, including recognition in the College Board’s National Rural and Small Town Scholars Program and National First Generation Student Recognition Program. Richardson is pursuing the International Skills Diploma Seal and is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the Science Club. After graduation, Richardson plans to attend a private university in New England, while majoring in Humanities/Social Sciences.
Richardson selected Bowdon High School teacher Carrie Gay as her STAR teacher. Gay teaches Honors Spanish 1, 2, 3, and AP Spanish Language and Culture. She is a four-time Teacher of the Year and this marks her seventh recognition as STAR Teacher. She leads Bowdon High’s ISDS program and is passionate about introducing students to different cultures. Gay said, “Destiny is the single most academically motivated student that I have taught in 23 years. Destiny keeps me on my toes, always asking challenging questions that cause me to ponder and sometimes need to research to find the answer. I have no doubt that Destiny will thrive in the challenging environment of college and cannot wait to see where life leads.”
Central High School – Mary Lois Griffis
Mary Lois Griffis is the STAR Student at Central High School. Griffis is the daughter of Jared and Melissa Griffis, and is an exceptional student who has been honored as an AP Scholar with Distinction and recognized in the College Board’s Rural and Small Town Scholars Program, the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and with UGA’s Certificate of Merit. Griffis serves as FCA President, Interact Club President, Key Club Vice President and Student Council Secretary. She is on the Football Cheer, Competition Cheer and Varsity Tennis teams and is a Carroll County Superintendent Student Ambassador. After graduation, Mary Lois plans to attend the Honors College at the University of Georgia to major in Genetics.
Griffis selected Elizabeth Rance from Elm Street Elementary in Coweta County as her STAR Teacher. Rance teaches 5th grade Math and English Language Arts and is a previous Coweta County Schools Teacher of the Year. Rance is an academic team coach and sponsor of the Eagle Ambassadors and Cougar Connections Mentoring Program. Rance said, “Mary Lois is one of the hardest-working students I have had the pleasure of teaching. She completed every challenge I ever gave her as a 5th grader, especially in math. The drive and determination she exhibits cannot be taught; it comes from within. That is why I am not surprised at all by her success in anything she does and will do in her future.”
Mount Zion High School – Hannah Green
Hannah Green is the STAR Student at Mount Zion High School. Green is the daughter of Jimmy and Shelley Green. Green’s favorite subject is English, and she has been recognized as an AP Scholar, with the N-M-S-Q-T Commendation, the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit honoree and the Rural and Small Town Recognition. She is Senior Class secretary and is involved in Photography Club, BETA Club, and the Literary Team and has a passion for art, drawing, and reading. After graduation, Hannah plans to attend the University of Georgia, majoring in Graphic Design.
Green selected Mount Zion High School teacher Chyna Gowan as her STAR teacher. Gowan teaches Ninth grade English and American Literature. She sponsors the Photography Club and BETA Club. Gowan said, “Hannah is brilliant, ambitious, and thoughtful. She is incredibly creative and excels at everything she does. I have always been certain that she will go far in life, and I’m very thankful to have been a small part of her journey.”
Temple High School – Kirra Hines
Kirra Hines is the STAR student at Temple High School. Hines is the daughter of
Katrina Roberts. She has a number of College Board recognitions including the National First Generation Recognition and the National African-American Recognition, as well as recognition as an AP Scholar with Honor. She was a state finalist for the Governor’s Honors Program in Science. Hines played right outside defender on the soccer team, is president of the Junior Optimist Club and a member of the National Honor Society, Science Olympiad and ISDS, among other organizations. Hines enjoys reading, attending concerts and traveling. She was a graduate of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. After graduation, Hines plans to attend the University of Georgia on a pre-medical track.
Reflecting her love for science, Hines chose Temple High teacher Gina Niemann as her STAR teacher. Niemann teaches biology, Honors Biology and AP Environmental Science. Before she began a teaching career, Niemann spent over two years as a Laboratory Research Assistant in the field of parasitology.
“Kirra is an exceptionally mature and focused student,” Niemann said. “As her teacher, I’ve been impressed by the connections she makes with concepts. Her work is meticulous and demonstrates a high level of detail and dedication, particularly evident in her strong science skills. She has consistently gone above and beyond to assist me, whether it’s by volunteering to help with classroom setup and cleanup, assisting other students with their work, or taking on extra responsibilities to support the learning environment.”
Villa Rica High School – Clayton Brown
Clayton Brown is the STAR student at Villa Rica High School. Brown is the son of Justin and Lyndsee Brown. In addition to academic honors including recognition as an AP Scholar, Brown has excelled in the fine arts. He is a member of the Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Wind Symphony where he plays the trombone and is Low Brass Captain. He also plays bass in his church worship band. He is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, the National Honor Society and the Quiz Bowl team. After graduation, Clayton plans to attend the University of Georgia or Georgia Tech to major in psychology.
Brown selected Villa Rica High School Teacher Jonathan Cook as his STAR Teacher. Cook teaches US History and AP Microeconomics and is in his fourth year at Villa Rica High. He is a previous High School Teacher of the Year for Douglas County and last year was named the state’s Outstanding American History Teacher of the Year by the Colonial Dames of the 17th Century. Cook said, “Clay is a very well-rounded, hard working young man. I’m impressed with his character and intelligence everyday.”
Selection criteria for the STAR students includes the highest SAT score on a single test date and a ranking in either the top 10 percent of their class or the top 10 students in their class based on grade point average.
