High Schools Honor STARs
Julia Aldridge has been named STAR student at Jasper County High School, and selected math teacher Christie McAlum as her STAR teacher.
Meanwhile, Davin Waldrop was chosen STAR student at Piedmont Academy, and he selected Angie Marks as his STAR teacher.
STAR students are those who scored the highest on the SAT taken during a specific time period, and they select their STAR teacher. STAR stands for Student Teacher Achievement Recognition.
In past years, the students and teachers have been honored by the Monticello Kiwanis Club, and, later the Monticello Civic Club. However, the club has not met since COVID-19 hit the community last year. Statewide, the competition is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE).
Miss Aldridge is the daughter of David and Linda Aldridge of Monticello. A senior at Jasper County High School, she plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall.
Miss Aldridge is a member of the Monticello Presbyterian Church.
At the high school, she is involved in band, art, Beta Club, and Quiz Bowl.
“I chose Ms. McAlum as my STAR teacher because she is the best teacher I’ve had in any subject. She is so devoted that you would think SHE is the one getting a grade, but really Ms. McAlum is just invested in her students’ success. Ms. McAlum is the only reason I was willing to take an AP level math class, and she was also the only reason I passed it,” said Miss Aldridge of her STAR teacher.
Christie McAlum has taught at Jasper County High school for 11 years. Her undergraduate degree is from Wesleyan College, and her graduate degree is from Piedmont College.
“I have known Julia for the past three years both as her teacher and as a coach/sponsor for academic quiz bowl and Beta Club. I taught her in accelerated Pre-Calculus (as a sophomore), in AP Calculus AB (as a junior) and in AP Psychology and as an AP Calculus AB peer tutor (as a senior),” said Ms. McAlum.
“Julia is a versatile, exceptionally bright, and hardworking student. She is also extremely creative (I would go so far as to say this is one of her defining attributes). She works very well with her peers and is a strong student leader.
“As a math student, Julia shows an agility of mind coupled with exceptional work ethic. When presented with a new concept, she catches on quickly and is able to ask nuanced questions regarding the idea in question. She perseveres when faced with difficult questions that others are inclined to give up on,” the teacher continued..
“She cares about the why of mathematics in addition to the how and thus is able to apply flexible approaches to problem solving.”
Mr. Waldrop expressed his feelings on being named STAR student and on the teacher he chose.
“When I received the STAR student award for this year’s graduating class I was very excited. The STAR student is quite an honor to have and I am proud to represent Piedmont Academy’s class of 2021. There was never a doubt that I would pick Mrs. Marks as my Star teacher because she has taught me throughout my years at Piedmont and worked well with me in the classroom.
“Mrs. Marks is always there to help us and wants the best for me and my peers. She is more helpful than just inside the classroom and is always willing to help you through any situation. It has been a real pleasure to have Mrs. Marks as my English teacher throughout my high school career.
He concluded, “Thank you, Mrs. Marks for the time and effort you have put into my success and it will greatly enhance my academic accomplishments and future goals.”
Mrs. Marks had plenty to say about Davin.
“I am incredibly honored to be selected as Davin Waldrop’s STAR teacher. Since I plan to retire at the end of this school year, the honor gives me great closure and especially to have been nominated two years in a row. As a teacher, I consider the success of my students as the best measure of my success as a teacher. Davin is the epitome of a well-rounded student who has also found tremendous academic success.
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“Coming to Piedmont Academy during his junior year, Davin immediately impressed me as a very conscientious student, whose attention to detail can be seen in the classroom and in his personal interactions with others. He is the student who can always be counted upon to submit his essays on time, to prepare for classroom discussions, and to provide thoughtful insight. Davin’s attention to detail is definitely one of his most notable traits,” she said.
“Well-rounded is another quality that quickly comes to mind when I think of Davin. He has wrestled throughout his high school career, served on Student Council for three years, and been a member of FFA for two years. He was a GHSA Division A Wrestling Champion and was top ranked in sectionals at his previous high school. His senior year included winning the GISA state championship in his wrestling weight class, as well as being selected “Most Likely to Succeed” by his senior classmates.
“Davin has accomplished much outside of the classroom while maintaining an All – A average for his last two years of high school. An entrepreneur, Davin has already established his own business. He runs his own car detailing company using, as he says ‘only the finest products.’ I find it amazing for one so young to have such a tremendous work ethic and vision for his future.
“Most importantly to being named STAR student, Davin is an excellent academic student. His writing is well-organized and thoughtful and displays exceptional critical thinking skills. This semester’s research paper allowed him to examine a topic of his choice. Davin chose to prove that biodiesel is the way of the future. He examined all of our current energy sources and made the argument that biodiesel is the best energy source for our country. Again, he amazes by displaying a mature understanding of a serious and important concern currently facing our country.
“Overall, Davin exhibits all of the qualities of a STAR student plus a mature understanding of the world in which we live. Beyond the academic standards expected of the Piedmont STAR, he displays a vision that will lead him to exceed. His star will continue to shine brightly, and I am incredibly proud to have a part in his success.”
Miss Aldridge is the county’s STAR who will compete at the district level.
