The Mississippi Economic Council and its M.B. Swayze Educational Foundation sponsor
the Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program in an effort
to encourage scholastic achievement among the state’s high school students.
All accredited public or private high schools are invited to participate in the program.

Education Celebration Set for
April 12, 2012

Please check back soon for details.

Scenes from 2011 STAR Education Celebration

Daniel P. Mossing, an Oxford High School student with a 36 composite score on the American College Test (ACT), earned the coveted $24,000 scholarship provided by the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation and was named 2011 ALL STAR Scholar. His parents are Michael and Susan Mossing. Mary Stone was designated STAR Teacher, the teacher who has made the greatest contribution to the student’s scholastic achievement.

William D. Buchanan, a Southaven High School student, was named first runner-up and earned a $20,000 scholarship. His parents are Brian and Susan Buchanan.  Thomas A. Sanders was designated STAR Teacher. 

Nathan Reid Wahl, a Washington School student, was name second runner-up and earned a $16,000 Scholarship. His parents are Robert and Debbie Wahl.  Nathan chose Jane Elliott Crawford as his STAR Teacher. 

Scholarships for Mossing, Buchanan and Wahl were presented by Jo Ann Mikell, Secretary of the Kelly Gene Cook Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Each of the remaining top 17 ALL-STAR Scholars received a $500 scholarship, with his or her STAR Teacher receiving a $250 award.

Selection of the STAR Student in each school is totally objective, with determinations based on American College Test scores and scholastic averages.

Click Here for Additional Photos

Click Here for the 2011 Education Celebration

The STAR Program has two specific purposes:

• Emphasize scholastic excellence and encourage greater scholastic effort among Mississippi students
• Recognition of the teaching profession.

Accomplishments of the STAR Program:

• More than $70,000 in scholarships are given each year.
• Since 1966 the STAR program has honored nearly 20,000 students and teachers

CLICK HERE - For More Information About the STAR Process

CLICK HERE - For STAR Forms

The Top STAR Students for 2010 were: (from left) Kenneth Fang of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Rachel Wehr of Jackson Prep and Stephen Leavelle of Clinton High School. Scholarships were awarded to the Top 20 STAR Students. The scholarships are provided by the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc.  

On April 15, the state's top high school students were honored at the STAR Education Celebration held at the Jackson Convention Complex in conjunction with the Mississippi Economic Council's 60th Annual Meeting.

The top honorees were, Kenneth Fang of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, who selected Lauren G. Zarandonaas his STAR teacher; Rachel Wehr of Jackson Prep, who selected Anna H. Freundt as her STAR teachers; and Stephen Leavelle of Clinton High School, who selected Judith M. Reynolds as his STAR teacher. Scholarships were awarded to the Top 20 STAR Students. The scholarships are provided by the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Click here for a list of 2010 STAR Students and Teachers.

Click here for a list of STAR Education Celebration sponsors.

Click here for a list of STAR students and teachers organized by county.

Click here for a list of STAR students and teachers organized by school.