Thursday afternoon the Chamber of Commerce recognized Grace Christian Academy and Bainbridge High School’s STAR students and teachers, and named Grant Darley the district STAR student.

In order to obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the three-part SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their graduating class based on grade point average. The student named the STAR student then selects the teacher they feel has been the most instrumental in their academic development.

Ruth Carraway was named the 2018 STAR Cougar from Grace Christian Academy and chose Richard Cox as her STAR teacher.

Carraway had the highest overall GPA in both ninth and tenth grade and focuses her time on volunteering and engaging in clubs and activities. She is a member of the cross-country team, yearbook staff, spirit club and is the senior class chairman for Interact Club.

Carraway was thankful to the Chamber for recognizing her, and most thankful for Mr. Cox, as she believes the rigor of his class has been essential in preparing her for college. She plans to attend Berry College, where she will major in creative technologies and minor in applied behavioral analysis.

Darley was named the 2018 STAR Bearcat and system winner. He chose Christopher Poppell as his STAR teacher.

Darley has had noticeable success while at Bainbridge High School. He was a recipient of the Georgia Certificate of Merit from the University of Georgia and a Georgia Governor’s Honor Program Semi-Finalist.

When he graduates from BHS in May, he will do so with an Associate of Science degree from ABAC at Bainbridge.

With this, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at either Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech or Purdue.

He knows this would not have been possible without the help of Mr. Poppell, who was not only his teacher, but his quiz bowl coach and friend.

Darley will now compete for region-wide honors, where the region winners can compete for the state STAR award.