GMC News

GMC Prep’s Myers named STAR student Helen Harris The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Fri Feb 28, 2014, 08:00 AM EST MILLEDGEVILLE — The Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce recognized Kevin Myers of Georgia Military College Prep as the county’s 2014 STAR student Thursday.

As the county’s STAR program selection, Myers will receive a $1,000 scholarship for his achievement. Myers and fellow STAR honorees from their respective schools, Erin Elizabeth Harpe of Baldwin High School Julie Elizabeth Hinson of John Milledge Academy, were recognized during Thursday’s luncheon at the Milledgeville Country Club, joined by their parents, teachers and principals for the program.

This year’s STAR program was held in a joint meeting of the Milledgeville Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.

Col. John Thornton, principal of GMC Prep, introduced Myers and told those in attendance of his dedication and hard work both academically and in his extracurricular activities. Myers has consistently maintained a 4.0 during his seven years at GMC and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Senior Beta Club, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, GMC marching band, concert band and jazz band. Additionally, he is on the varsity baseball and golf teams.

“He’s a dual enrollment student at GMC,” said Thornton. “He has the rank of cadet captain in Junior ROTC program.”

Thornton spoke of Myers’ work ethic, citing his willingness to tutor other students and to volunteer at a local hospice.

“I might point out also he was a valuable member of our state champion One-Act team, and in my opinion, stole the show with his role as a detective in that,” said Thornton.

Last summer, Myers attended the Governor’s Honors Program of Georgia in the area of mathematics. In the fall, Myers will start his college career at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he will major in biomedical engineering.

The local STAR program recognizes a student from each high school and his or her selection as their STAR teacher. Each student receives a plaque and is awarded a scholarship. Hinson and Harpe both received $500 scholarships for being named honorees from their schools. The STAR teachers each received plaques and $100 checks.

Hinson chose Jessica Jones as her STAR teacher, while Harpe selected John Stone.

Myers chose his father, was Maj. Charles Myers as his STAR teacher.

“There’s more that goes into teaching than simple course material,” said Myers, “Maj. Myers is probably the best teacher when it comes to creating a nice balance between a fun environment, but one that you also have this sense of challenge and responsibility to keep up on your grades. That has helped me develop my whole attitude toward school as well as my work ethic over the years.”

Myers now advances to the regional level competition.

The STAR program is a statewide program coordinated by the PAGE Foundation that awards high school seniors that have the highest SAT score and are ranked in the top 10 percent or top 10 members of their class. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce initially launched a program. For the past 55 years, more than 23,500 STAR students and teachers have been recognized for their academic and professional accomplishments.

High school STAR students compete for system titles; and system STAR students in turn compete for region honors in the 12 STAR regions. Region winners and their STAR teachers are invited to Atlanta to compete for the state STAR scholarships and awards.

Myers thanked his parents for supporting and keeping him in check with his grades and the faculty and staff at GMC for providing an excellent academic environment.

The award for the father-son duo proved an emotional event for both parties.

“I’m just very, very proud of him — not only as a teacher but as his father,” said Charles Myers. This honor is really, really, special.”

Son Kevin added: “He’s always right there behind me. Sometimes I get frustrated, but I know now that is well worth it. He’s made all the difference in my work ethic and my attitude as a whole toward education.”