The Mississippi Economic Council held its annual awards day Thursday, and MSMS came home with the top prizes.

The Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program is designed to acknowledge high school seniors for their outstanding academic achievements as well as give them the opportunity to recognize one of their teachers. To be nominated as a STAR student, an individual must be recognized as having the highest ACT in their senior class (or anyone with above a 35) and a minimum grade average of a 93. This year, eight MSMS students received recognition for their scores and were honored along with the rest of the students from across the state at a gala in Jackson on Thursday, April 27.

The students recognized for their qualification were Nayan Chawla, Braeden Foldenauer, Emily Hook, Andy Zhao, Jenny Nguyen, Alex Leise, Lewis Park, and Claudia Vial.  Andy Zhao, Emily Hook and Braeden Foldenauer were named in the top twenty students in the state, earning the title of All-STARs.

Each All-STAR student and teacher was awarded $1,000 from the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation.

Eight was the largest number of winners from one school, giving MSMS the Peggy Howard award for the most STAR students.

Andy Zhao was named the number one STAR student in Mississippi, and he along with his STAR teacher, Kishan Patel, received plaques commemorating the achievement.

Patel described the key moment at the awards ceremony. “After 19 All-STAR students were announced, we realized that Andy Zhao was the only one unannounced. I exchanged looks with Mr. Yarborough and Mrs. Richardson, who sat on either side of me. We realized what was about to happen, yet we could not believe it. Andy’s name was called as the first place winner, and Mrs. Brown, the eight MSMS STAR students, and their STAR teachers erupted with excitement.”

Patel also expressed his appreciation, stating, “I feel so honored to be chosen. As a second-year teacher, I feel pretty unqualified and unworthy of the award. I almost leapt out of my seat when Andy told me he was selecting me as his STAR teacher.”

Zhao also received a $24,000 scholarship from the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation.

Each student was able to chose a teacher that they feel has impacted their education the most.

Jenny Nguyen chose her teacher based on her personal impact, stating, “Ms. Heintz has continually offered her advice to me, whether it was about life, scholarships, or even relationships. We’ve developed a strong bond, and I just wanted to give her recognition for all of the time that she’s dedicated to me as a student and as a person.”

The teachers chosen reflected gratitude in their student’s choice, and reflected the positive qualities which they possess.

Mrs. Emma Richardson (chosen as STAR teacher by Emily Hook) described Emily’s hardworking nature in the classroom. “Emily is a student ‘on whom nothing is lost.’ She’s the student I can count on to read all the assignments, to think about them carefully and critically, and to write about them persuasively and clearly.”

Dr. Elizabeth Morgan described the qualities of her STAR student, Lewis Park, saying, “Lewis is very bright and motivated. He was fun to teach because he is curious and often excited to learn.”

Some STAR teachers, such as Mr. Chuck Yarborough, chosen by Braeden Foldenauer, have had the honor of receiving this recognition on more than one occasion. “I’ve been selected STAR teacher twice before, in 1997 and 2011. It feels amazing for a student to consider me impactful enough to bestow the honor upon me.”

Mr. Yarborough also said of Braeden, “[he] like so many of our students, is committed to using his talents to build community. That is one of the most impressive characteristics any person can possess.”