MSMS is home to the most Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition Program, or STAR Program, honorees in the state.

The school won the Peggy Howard Award for having the highest number of STAR students among Mississippi high schools last spring after nine seniors — Andy Chen, Yaerim Choi, Drew Dowdy, Lucas Griffith, Teddy Lai, Anderson Lin, Jonathan Stancill, Max Thompson and Ryan Wu — earned the prestigious designation for their academic achievements. 

The program, established in 1965 by the Mississippi Economic Council and the M.B. Swayze Foundation, also celebrates outstanding teachers who have made significant contributions to STAR students’ scholastic successes. MSMS instructors Alison Alexander, William Funderburk, Fatimaezzahra Labaaj, Dean Linder, Elizabeth Morgan, Lisa Smith, Chuck Yarborough and Lauren Zarandona earned STAR teacher recognitions for the year.

Additionally, Zarandona was inducted into the STAR Program Hall of Fame.

To qualify as a STAR student, a high school senior must achieve an ACT composite score of at least 25 and maintain an overall average of 93 or above in selected subjects during their high school years. While these are the general requirements, MSMS students typically must earn a composite score of at least 35 on the ACT in addition to maintaining the same average in the same selected subjects to qualify. These subjects include English, mathematics, science, social studies and foreign language. Students meeting these criteria are invited to designate a STAR teacher — an educator who has played a pivotal role in their academic journey.

The program’s dual purpose is to emphasize scholastic excellence and to recognize the teaching profession’s vital role in student achievement. Each spring, STAR students and teachers are honored at the MEC’s Education Celebration, where they receive certificates and medallions acknowledging their accomplishments. 

Stancill said this accomplishment was a great experience. 

“It was a great honor to attend this ceremony,” Stancill said. “I felt great about being able to represent our school.” 

Additionally, the STAR Program awards substantial scholarships funded by the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation. The top 20 STAR Students are named ALL-STAR Scholars, with scholarships awarded as follows:

• Top ALL-STAR Scholar: $24,000
• First Runner-Up: $20,000
• Second Runner-Up: $16,000
• Remaining 17 ALL-STAR Scholars: $1,000 each

Wu received the ALL-STAR Second Runner-Up Scholarship at the event.

“It was a great honor representing MSMS and seeing all the other teachers and students there, especially my old friends,” Wu said.

Corresponding STAR Teachers of the top three scholars receive $1,000 each, while the remaining 17 receive $500 each. 

Chen said he had a great time with his peers at the event. 

“STAR Student was a really fun time. Celebrating my peer’s accomplishment was a nice reminder of how far each of us has come, and recognizing the teachers who have made that possible was equally rewarding,” Chen said.

Griffith went to the event while nominating Zarandona. 

“I felt honored because I was Mrs. Z’s 10th year of having a star student,” Griffith said. “It was unique to see top students from nearly every high school in the state all in one room.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect an accurate count of STAR teachers at MSMS.