King Smith Is Named County STAR

Jasper County’s STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) students and teachers were honored at a luncheon last Friday at the Visitors’ Center on the Square.

Piedmont Academy’s STAR student Harris Brady and STAR teacher Ralph Hickman were first on the program, followed by Jasper County High School’s STARs King Smith and Dr. Tyson Harty.

Those in attendance included the honorees, their family members, school officials and many others who wanted to be on hand to congratulate the high-achievers.

The STAR student is chosen at each high school in the state. The STAR student then selects a teacher who has been instrumental in helping the student achieve his or her goals.

Then one student is chosen in each county to compete against students from across the state.

The program was opened by Jon Van Deventer, pastor of Monticello Presbyterian Church. He talked about how these students have already accomplished something significant, achieving academic excellence in a difficult time. He said you have stayed focused, and that is impressive. He said they have begun the process differentiation. He encouraged them to continue their journey of discovery…both inward and outward. He also said “We are proud of you; we are your people; we are your home.”

Miss Brady spoke first. She has been a student at Piedmont Academy since she attended the pre-kindergarten class at age three. She currently is secretary of the senior class and yearbook editor. She has cheered for two years, and played soccer for four. She plans to attend the University of Georgia in Athens, and major in criminal justice.

She said she chose Mr. Hickman because he’s the teacher she’s had the longest, and she said she will miss his class the most.

Mr. Hickman teaches math and science at Piedmont. He said how Harris is unique in many ways. She is self-motivated and focused, he said, and she values education. She never wavers in her pursuit of learning. Harris does not waste time, he said.

Next the group heard from George “King” Smith, who said he would not explain how he got his nickname. King was home-schooled through eighth grade, and started Jasper County High School in ninth grade. He has had five classes under Dr. Harty, and that made him an easy pick, said King. He has taken engineering and film under Dr. Harty, and has had experience writing screenplays. The said that despite the time he has wasted, he is proud of where he is. He is undecided at this point whether to attend Georgia Tech or the University of Georgia next fall. He indicated he wants to explore hi many options.

Dr. Harty said that King seems more like a colleague than a student sometimes. He is a writer and director, and can manager people, said Dr. Harty. He is very observant, and he combines the technical with the creative and exemplifies each.

Dr. Harty played a video clip of King through the many classes and extracurricular activities he has undertaken with Dr. Harty.

After each student and teacher was heard from, a representative from PAGE (Professional Association of Georgia Educators) spoke a little on the STAR program, saying it was started in 1958 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Since that time some 28,000 students have been honored.

Then it was announced that King Smith was the county STAR.