Area schools have announced their STAR students for the Class of 2022. At a county-wide luncheon at the John Maxwell Leadership Center at 12Stone Sugarloaf on Wednesday, Feb. 9, the names of the STAR students from each public and private school throughout Gwinnett County were announced, with the top-scoring students being revealed for Gwinnett County and Buford City Schools.
Gwinnett County Public Schools’ STAR student is Roy Lee from Peachtree Ridge High School, and his STAR teacher is Adam Sherman.
Buford City Schools’ STAR student is Jimmy Ragazino from Buford High School, and the STAR teacher is Lisa Cole.
These students will advance to the regional competition in March.
The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Program recognizes the senior from each accredited high school in Georgia who has the highest SAT score in their graduating class and meets other program criteria. Sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, the STAR program also allows for each STAR student to select one teacher to be named their STAR teacher. Students are asked to choose the teacher they feel has most mentored them to academic success.
With regard to additional criteria, students must also be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average, and their SAT scores must be equal to or higher than the previous year’s national average scores, according to guidelines listed on the PAGE website.
Sponsored by nearly 175 civic organizations and businesses, STAR students and their STAR teachers from each school advance for consideration for system-wide, regional and state awards. The state STAR student winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and the state STAR teacher will receive a $2,500 cash award.
Lanier High School and Sugar Hill Christian Academy each had two students tie for the award, both achieving the same score on the SAT, while Mill Creek High School had a three-way tie and North Gwinnett High School had a four-way tie.
Recognized at the luncheon were the STAR students and teachers from each of the schools in our area:
From Buford High School
STAR student: James “Jimmy” Ragazino / STAR teacher: Lisa Cole
From Dacula High School
STAR student: Jennifer Lawler / STAR teacher: Lesley Buchanan
From Hebron Christian Academy
STAR student: Joshua Mark Hammond / STAR teacher: Angela Brannon (retired)
From Lanier High School
STAR student: Joshua Canlas / STAR teacher: Collin Jones
STAR student: Faith Mani / STAR teacher: Mike Cook
From Mill Creek High School
STAR student: Justin Choe / STAR teacher: Victoria Wilson
STAR student: Cade Holland / STAR teacher: Greg Marr
STAR student: Wook “Daniel” Jung / STAR teacher: Dana Ballard
From North Gwinnett High School
STAR student: Thien-An “Annie” Dang / STAR teacher: Rebecca Carlisle
STAR student: Albert Doan / STAR teacher: Katie Massey
STAR student: Madeline Dodson / STAR teacher: John Rhilinger
STAR student: Isaac Kim / STAR teacher: Zach Luna
From Sugar Hill Christian Academy
STAR student: Alexander “Zander” Steffey / STAR teacher: Heather Adams
STAR student: John “Jack” Swift / STAR teacher: Kathy Reinertson
FEATURED PHOTO: Pictured from left to right are Buford High School principal Teresa Hagelthorn, STAR students James “Jimmy” Ragazino and STAR teacher Lisa Cole. Photo courtesy of Buford City Schools/Teresa Hagelthorn.
