Excelling as a student is about more than good grades: it’s also about work ethic and dedication to improving oneself.
Justin Knapp, a Thomas County Central High School senior has been named not only the school’s STAR student, but also the STAR student for Thomas County. He recently competed for the Region 9 STAR Student honor in Americus.
“Being selected as STAR Student is such an honor because it is a testament not only to my own work but also to how well my school has prepared me,” Knapp said. “I’m humbled to be able to represent my school in this way.”
The teacher Knapp selected as STAR Teacher is Cary Riggs, who has taught Knapp in Latin I, Latin II and Advanced Placement Art History classes.
“He is a wonderful student, the kind every teacher hopes to get hold of,” Riggs said of Knapp. “He challenges his teachers to be the very best they can be, and he doesn’t accept the easy answer but takes it further. He keeps you on your toes and moving with him. I was very honored to be chosen by him.”
Knapp said Riggs’s dedication to students – both in the classroom and in life – has left a positive and lasting impression upon him.
“For as long as I’ve known him, Mr. Riggs has been someone who cares about more than just my classroom performance – he cares about you as a person and is always available to talk,” he said. “I believe this is why he has had such a profound impact on my life.”
A local luncheon was held in February, and the Region 9 (of which Thomas County is part of) luncheon was held March 26 in Americus. There, the Region 9 STAR Student was named, and all STAR students were asked to talk about their accomplishments and why they chose their selected teacher, whom also had a chance to speak about the honor.
STAR is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, or PAGE. The program is designed to recognize high school seniors with the highest SAT score in their graduating class.
To be considered for STAR Student, the individual must be senior who will graduate with his or her class, have the highest SAT score of their graduating class and meet all other program requirements, including being in either the top 10 percent or among the top 10 students numerically in their class.
Knapp made a perfect score on the math section of the SAT and has a 4.0 Grade Point Average. He also was a Governor’s Honors Program finalist in Communicative Arts, achieved a perfect score on the Georgia High School Writing Test, is an AP Scholar with Distinction and is a drum major for the TCCHS Marching Yellow Jacket Band.
Also, Knapp received early acceptance to Yale University (his dream school) last December.
“We’re elated,” mom Sheila Knapp said. “Words can hardly express really how we feel. He has worked hard, and we’re just so proud of him and his accomplishments.”