2024 STAR Students & Teachers

Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Breakfast 2024

The Barrow Chamber of Commerce, with the sponsorship of Beckett & Associates Investment Services, graciously hosted the annual Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Breakfast at the Barrow Leisure Services Center on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.

The STAR program honors Georgia's highest achieving high school seniors and their most influential teachers throughout their academic careers. STAR recognition is given to high school seniors with the highest SAT scores for their school.

Many smiles and laughs were shared among the audience as students and teachers told stories about their classroom experiences with one another. This year, Barrow County School System had five STAR students. Three are from Apalachee High School - Ashton Graham, Nathaniel Magnussen, and Colton Whaley – who all tied for the top SAT score. Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy's STAR Student is Megan Tuz. Natanael Corduneanu is Winder-Barrow High School’s STAR Student and the System Winner for having the highest SAT score.

Apalachee High School STAR

Ashton Graham is a 4.0 student and Valedictorian of the Class of 2024 at AHS. He plans to attain a Doctoral Degree from Mercer or Johns Hopkins University. He has served as President of HOSA and Vice President of the Science National Honor Society, among being involved with several other extracurriculars. Graham selected third grade teacher, Mr. Carl McCoy from Kennedy Elementary as his STAR Teacher. He says Mr. McCoy encouraged him to challenge himself academically with higher grade-level courses.

Nathaniel Magnussen plans to attend The University of North Georgia to attain a degree in Business Administration. He has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities throughout high school. Nathan selected Mrs. Stephanie Atkinson as his STAR Teacher. She taught him Literature Honors in tenth grade.

Colton Whaley plans to attend the University of Georgia to attain a degree in accounting. He has participated in Football, Soccer, Youth Leadership Barrow, and volunteered coaching. Colton selected Mrs. Stephanie Atkinson as his STAR Teacher. She taught him tenth grade Literature Honors.

Both Nathaniel and Colton say Mrs. Atkinson inspired them to enjoy literature.

Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy

Megan Tuz has been accepted to several colleges and universities but would love to attend Stanford or Vanderbilt University to study Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, BASA Ambassadors, Future Civic Leaders, and a member of the girls Varsity Soccer team. Megan's STAR Teacher is Dr. Nicole Baker. She taught Megan tenth grade AP US History and encouraged and supported her during several years of classes together.

Winder-Barrow High School

Natanael Corduneanu plans to attend Georgia Tech to study biology before applying to med school. His favorite topics are History and English and his strengths are leadership, time management, and problem solving. Nathan selected Dr. Whitney Bailey as his STAR Teacher. He says she always would show she cared and inspired students with the captivating way she taught. The pair also won System Winner STAR Student and STAR Teacher.

Congratulations to each person recognized for their hard work and achievements.