Chelsea Nix Is Jasper County’s STAR

Chelsea Nix, a senior at Jasper County High School, was named Jasper County’s STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition) student at a luncheon held last Thursday at the Monticello Visitor’s Center. Her STAR teacher is Michael Cooper.

Also honored at the luncheon was Brittany Binowski, Piedmont Academy’s STAR student and her STAR teacher, Charlotte Crawley.

Dr. Dorothy Leland, president of Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, was the guest speaker. Dr. Leland challenged the students to be shining stars in their lives.

Several alumni of Georgia College were in attendance at the luncheon sponsored locally by the Monticello Kiwanis Club. The statewide sponsor is the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Jimmy Jordan of Monticello, former principal of Jasper County High School, was at the banquet representing PAGE. Paul Holmes, also of Monticello was in attendance at the banquet representing the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

When Miss Nix was recognized, she acknowledged her family and friends for what they have done for her education, and ranked her STAR teacher right up there with family.

“His child-like eagerness coupled with his innumerable experiences and unfathomable pools of knowledge make for an exceptional mentor. I say mentor, because he is much more than a teacher,” she said.

She praised his ability to give meaning to the “antiquated yet eloquent words of Shakespeare—not only to give them meaning but to relate them to the present….”

Mr. Cooper commented that Miss Nix had been at the top of her class for four years, and had represented the school well in literary competition. She has won best actress twice in one-act play at region.

Mr. Cooper said that Allen O’Reilly, artistic director of the Georgia Shakespeare Festival lead a rehearsal clinic at JCHS, and was impressed by Miss Nix, saying that she had the talent to take her acting skills as far as she cared to go.

Mr. Cooper praised Miss Nix, calling her a star, both for her level of intelligence and for the person she is.

Miss Nix will now compete at district competition.
The STAR award is generally based on SAT scores, but classes taken and GPA can come into play.