Five graduating seniors in the Carroll County School System have been named STAR students at their respective high schools for the 2023-2024 school year and were recognized by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce at its annual STAR Student and Teacher Recognition Breakfast. 

The STAR program, administered statewide by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, recognizes the student who has the highest SAT score in his or her graduating class at each high school each year. 

Each STAR student selects a teacher who has had the most influence on his or her academic achievement during the entire school career. This teacher is honored as the school’s STAR teacher.

The awards were presented during the chamber’s membership breakfast which was held at the Carroll County Schools Performing Arts Center.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce to recognize our STAR Students and STAR Teachers,” Carroll County Schools Superintendent Scott Cowart said. “We know these students will continue to achieve success after graduation and will develop into leaders in our community. We also congratulate our STAR Teachers and acknowledge their commitment to being premier and making a difference in the lives of students.”

The STAR breakfast honored STAR students and teachers from Carroll County Schools, Carrollton City Schools and Oak Mountain Academy. 

Bowdon High School – Leila Chambers

Leila Chambers is the STAR Student at Bowdon High School. Chambers is the daughter of Ben and Allison Chambers and has been a leader in many ways during her high school career. She is a four-year academic letterman, AP Scholar with Honors, academic all-star and a member of the BHS Band of Pride for five years, where she now serves as woodwind section leader. Chambers is a member of the science club, FBLA, ISDS, Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society and FCA, where she leads worship. Chambers is dual enrolled at the University of West Georgia where she plans to continue and major in music composition. 

Chambers selected Mrs. Donna Dockery as her STAR Teacher. Mrs. Dockery has since retired but was Leila’s music teacher at Bowdon Elementary School. Chambers said, “Mrs. Dockery is a teacher who inspired my love for music. I always loved when we were able to play with the instruments in music class!”

Central High School – Dylan Mount

Dylan Mount is the STAR Student at Central High School. Mount is the son of Cameron and Britney Mount. Mount’s academic awards include AP Scholar with Distinction, AP Rural Recognition and a University of Georgia Certificate of Merit. He is extremely involved at Central including swimming, soccer, volleyball and cross country teams, student council, Junior Chamber of Commerce Interact Club, STAND Club, National Honor Society and Chess Club, where he serves as President. Mount’s favorite subject is science which has led him to pursue a degree in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech. 

Mount selected his AP Language teacher, Ms. Megan Wooten, as his STAR Teacher. Ms. Wooten is a 20-year veteran teacher, the last 11 of which have been in Carroll County. She is AP and Gifted certified. She’s originally from Ohio and cheers for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Mount Zion High School – Maggi Gibson

Maggi Gibson is the STAR Student at Mount Zion High Schools. Gibson is the daughter of Jeffrey and Lucinda Gibson. Gibson has excelled academically including AP Rural Recognition, Coca-Cola Art and Academic Award and the UGA Certificate of Merit. She has played tennis for four years and also marched for four years in the Mount Zion Eagle Band, where she is drum major this year. After graduation, Gibson plans to attend the University of West Georgia and major in Child Psychology.

Gibson selected her band director, Mr. Scott Jones, as her STAR Teacher. Mr. Jones has been teaching for 10 years, and this is his second recognition as STAR Teacher. Maggi said, “I chose Mr. Jones as my Star Teacher because he has been there for me and pushed me all throughout my high school career. He has inspired my passion for music and tennis and has helped me be the person I am today.” 

Temple High School – Kase Shirley 

Kase Shirley is the STAR student at Temple High School. Shirley is the son of Richard and Jennifer Shirley. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and received the UGA Certificate of Merit. He is on the academic team, the tennis team, the National History Club, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Shirley is a governor’s honors state nominee and serves as Class of 2024 Student Council Historian. He plans to attend Georgia Tech and study engineering. 

Shirley selected his math teacher and academic team advisor Shandrika Bromfield as his STAR Teacher. Mrs. Bromfield is a certified AP and dual enrollment teacher and has been recognized as STAR Teacher multiple times. She has been at Temple High School for 13 of her 23 years in education. Shirley said, “Mrs. Bromfield always brought an energy into her classroom that made it enjoyable to learn. She is passionate about teaching and always pushes students to be their best.”

Villa Rica High School – Owen Wilkinson

Owen Wilkinson is the STAR student at Villa Rica High School. Wilkinson is the son of Christopher and Stephenie Wilkinson. Wilkinson is another Carroll County Schools STAR student who has excelled in the fine arts. He is a member of the Villa Rica High School Band, the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the National Honor Society. His band director and STAR teacher said, “Owen is a phenomenal student and excels in his core academics and the fine arts. I have always admired his work ethic and calm demeanor. He is a tremendously talented student and I know he will be successful in all of his future endeavors.” Wilkinson plans to major in Music Performance at Columbus State University. 

Wilkinson chose his band director, Mr. Kevin Brown, as his STAR Teacher. Mr. Brown is the Carroll County Schools Teacher of the Year this year and this is his second recognition as STAR Teacher. He has 21 years of teaching experience, the last four at Villa Rica High. Wilkinson said, “I chose Mr. Brown as my STAR teacher because of how much he has positively influenced me over the last five years. He pushes his students to be the best they can be and is one of the main reasons I am choosing to pursue a degree in music after graduation from Villa Rica High School.”

Selection criteria for the STAR students includes the highest SAT score on a single test date and a ranking in either the top 10 percent of their class or the top 10 students in their class based on grade point average.