Stephens Co. Holds STAR Student, Teacher Reception

starStephens County officially recognizes this year’s STAR student and star teacher.

The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce and the Stephens County School System held the annual STAR Student and STAR Teacher reception at Stephens County High School on Tuesday.

This year’s STAR Student is Connor Roberts.  He is the son of Barry and Lynn Roberts of Toccoa.

Roberts said he is excited to receive the honor this year.

“I am proud to be a STAR student from a high school that has so many academically talented students,” said Roberts.

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 class based on grade point average.

Connor received a 2380 on his SAT out of 2400 and will study Economics at Harvard University.

The STAR Student then selects the STAR Teacher.

Roberts selected Tamera Cash as his STAR Teacher.

She taught Connor in Math I in the 9th grade and Calculus in the 12th grade.

Roberts said he has enjoyed having Ms. Cash in her classroom.

“She operates a relaxed classroom that still gets done everything that needs to be done, so I appreciated that,” said Roberts.

Cash said it was a remarkable feeling to find out she was this year’s STAR Teacher.

“I have never been STAR teacher, so it was very much an honor,” said Cash.

She went on to say that she was privileged to have Connor in her classroom twice.

“He is remarkable, but he is not an overbearing student,” said Cash.  “If I make a mistake, he is not the one says ‘Ms. Cash, you made a mistake,’ so I appreciate that.  We have an understanding relationship.  He is an awesome student.”

The STAR, or Student Teacher Achievement Recognition, program is in its 56th year and is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators Foundation, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Department of Education.

Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee Co-Chair Greg Pitts said both Cash and Roberts are very deserving of the recognition.

“Let me say this about Ms. Tamera Cash, our son had her as a teacher in high school and I knew then what a wonderful job she does as a teacher,” said Pitts.  “I am not sure how many young people we send to Ivy league students, but that is just tremendous.”

Pitts said he was also blown away by Connor’s SAT score.

Pitts added that it is great anytime the community has an opportunity such as this to honor student achievement.

Roberts will now advance to the regional STAR Student competition.