Four Vicksburg students have been named STAR students for the 2008-2009 school year. STAR, which stands for Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition, is a yearly scholarship program sponsored by the Mississippi Economic Council and its M.B. Swayze Educational Foundation.

A STAR Student is the senior with the highest ACT score who has met the minimum requirements — at least a 25 on the college entrance exam and a 93 average. The average is gleaned from scores in the ninth, 10th, 11th and first-semester 12th grades in English, foreign language, math, science and social science.

The students will go on to compete for the top 20 STAR Student spots, called All-STAR Scholastic Scholars.

The top All-STAR scholar in the state will receive a $24,000 Kelly Gene Cook Sr. scholarship. The first runner-up will receive $20,000, and the second-runner up will receive $16,000.

As part of the STAR program, each student selects a teacher who has influenced his or her education. Each teacher of the All-STAR Scholastic Scholars will receive $500.

This year’s STAR recognition ceremony will be April 16 at Mississippi College.

Porters Chapel Academy

Student: Travis L. Thornell

Teacher: Tara Kay Holloway

Travis, the son of Robert and Amelia Thornell, is a member of Student Council, National Honor Society, Warren County Make-A-Promise Coalition, Porters Chapel varsity football team and Key Club. He is president of Eagle 4-H and was class president in ninth, 10th and 11th grades. He was voted Class Favorite during his sophomore and junior years. 

Travis attended the 2007 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference. He plans to study polymer science at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Travis’ STAR Teacher is Porters Chapel chemistry instructor Tara Kay Holloway. She has a bachelor’s degree in biological science a master’s in education. She was PCA’s Teacher of the Year in 2005 and 2007.

St. Aloysius High School

Student: Rachel C. Clarke

Teacher: Eleanor Phillips

Rachel, the daughter of Douglas and Joan Clarke, is a National Merit Semi-Finalist and the captain and MVP of the swim team. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and St. Michael Catholic Church’s CYO retreat team. She received the National Scholar/Athlete Award, President’s Award for Educational Excellence and Bronze Service Award. 

She plans to study biological sciences and pre-physical therapy at Mississippi State University. 

Rachel’s STAR Teacher is St. Aloysius math instructor Eleanor Phillips. She has a bachelor’s degree in math education and was St. Al’s Teacher of the Year for the 2004-2005 and 2007-2008 school years.

Vicksburg High School

Student: Kiefer D. Slaton

Teacher: Edward Wong

Kiefer, the son of Kimble and Susan Slaton, is a National Merit Semi-Finalist and president of Mu Alpha Theta.

He is a member of the National Honor Society, VHS Pride, VHS swim and tennis teams and Key Club. He has been the recipient of Mississippi Music Teachers’ Association Piano Awards and highest average awards.

He was winner of the Vicksburg Golf Talent contest and V105.5’s Christmas Caroling Contest in 2007. He plays six instruments — piano, guitar, trumpet, bass, drums and mandolin.

Kiefer plans to attend Mississippi State University and study chemical engineering and French. His STAR Teacher is VHS history instructor Edward Wong.

Wong has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from the University of Southern Mississippi.

He was the Mississippi Milken Educator of the Year in 1992 and Mississippi State Teacher of the Year in 1987.

Wong has taught for 30 years and has been chosen by a student as a STAR Teacher four times.

Warren Central High School

Student: Katie Elizabeth Heath

Teacher: Dawn Meeks

Katie, the daughter of Ronald and Amy Heath, is vice president of Mu Alpha Theta, secretary of National Honor Society, and front ensemble squad leader of WC’s Big Blue Marching Band and Big Blue Indoor Percussion Group. She received 16 highest average awards. She was a representative for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference.

Katie is undecided on her college choice, but plans to study biochemisty. Her STAR Teacher is AP Biology teacher Dawn Meeks.

Meeks has a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in education from Mississippi College. Meeks has taught 27 years at Warren Central. She has been chosen by students as STAR Teacher four times. She was named a Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction in 2004 and an Earthwatch Fellow by the Phil Hardin Foundation in 2008.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchanprasith@vicksburgpost.com.