By Staff
May 13, 2001
Area STAR Students and Teachers have been announced.
A STAR student is selected from each high school based on academic excellence, scores on the American College Test (ACT) and scholastic averages.
Among the 2001 honorees are:
Meridian High School STAR student Stacey E. Douglas of Meridian is the daughter of Roscoe and Bobbie Douglas.
She is a member of Who's Who Among American High School Student and the National Honor Society. She is a volunteer of Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics. Douglas received the AP Biology and History award. She is undecided on the college she will attend.
STAR teacher is Laura Walker Hyche, a 17-year English teacher. She earned her bachelor and master degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Hyche has also received an Excellence in Teaching Award.
Lamar High School STAR student is Jill S. Hicks of Meridian the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Hicks.
Hicks is a National Merit finalist. She received the Principal's Leadership Award, Wilbourn Trust Scholarship and President's Baylor Scholarship. she is a member of the National Beta Club, Me Alpha Theta and Spanish Honor Society president. She plans to attend Baylor University majoring in Religion and Spanish.
STAR teacher is Margaret Lee Nicholson of Meridian. A 22 year teaching veteran, Nicholson holds a bachelor of science in English from the University of Southern Mississippi. She was previously chosen as 1990 teach of the year at Patrician Academy and 1999 STAR teacher at Lamar.
Clarkdale High School Megan Nicole Eubanks of Meridian is the daughter of Jonathan and Eva Eubanks. She is a member of Who's Who Among American High School Students and Fellowship of Christian Students. she was voted Most Unique. She has received the English I Highest Grace Award, Pre-Calculus Highest Grade Award and Academic Award.
Eubanks plans to attend the University of West Alabama Prerequisites Pharmacy School.
Peggy Davis Clayton was chosen as STAR teacher. She is a 16 year teaching veteran and holds a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Millsaps College and a masters degree from Mississippi State University.
She was teacher of the year in 1998 at Northeast High School, Outstanding Physics Teacher from the Mississippi Association of Physicists in 1999. She has been named STAR teacher nine times.
Enterprise High School Kelly Le'Shae McGowin, daughter of Charlie and Renee Hoffer.
She will graduate with highest honors, is a member of Who's Who Among American High School Students and BETA Club. McGowin was invited to participate in the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. for outstanding academic record and leadership abilities. She received the National Women's Ministry Achievement for the Assemblies of God, National Fine Arts Scholarship Group Vocal; Mississippi Fine Arts Scholarship Sign Language Drama and Vocal Solo.
McGowin will be attending Southwestern Assembly of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. She plans a double major in journalism/broadcasting and church ministries with a specialization in cross cultural missions.
She chose U.S. History teacher Bobbye L. Dunnam as her STAR teacher.
Dunnam holds a bachelor and master degree in secondary education from Mississippi State University. She was named Teacher of the Year in 1986 and 1993. She has been named STAR teacher three other times. Dunnam has had her classroom filmed on four different occasions by PBS.
West Lauderdale High School Matthew Mabry of Collinsville is the son of Raeburn and Hope Mabry.
He is a member of the National Honor Society and has competed in the Scholars Bowl for two years. He has attended the Mississippi College Science and Math Competition. Mabry is a member of First Baptist Church of Collinsville. He plans to attend Millsaps College.
West Lauderdale's STAR teacher is Willie B. Thompson. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi Valley State University and has taught for 28 years.
He was received the Good Apple Award and West Lauderdale Teacher of the Year. This is Thompson's fifth time to be chosen as STAR teacher.
Northeast Lauderdale High School John Phillip Garrett II of Lauderdale is the son of John and Amy Garrett.
He is a member of Who's Who Among American High School Students, National Honor Society and the Lauderdale County Student Advisory Council. He attended the Mississippi Governor's School and Boy's State. He received the Roscoe Gibson Sportsmanship Award and was named to the WTOK All Scholastic Sports Team.
He is undecided on which college he will attend.
Social Studies instructor Emily J. McLeod was his choose as STAR teacher. A 31-year teaching veteran, she holds a bachelor of science degree from Alcorn State.
She is a member of Who's Who Among American high School Teachers and received the Good Apple Award.
Special to the Star
Editor's note: Some schools are not included because The Star did not receive the information. If your STAR student or teacher is not included, please submit the information to The Meridian Star, Attn: Penny Randall, P.O. Box 1591, Meridian, MS 39302