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Greenbrier High School STAR student Lesley Graybeal selected band instructor Tom Smallwood as her STAR teacher.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Greenbrier High School
STAR STUDENT: Lesley Marie Graybeal
STAR TEACHER: Tom Smallwood
Lesley, 17, is the daughter of Michael and Sheila Graybeal of Evans. Lesley had been playing trombone since sixth grade and has had control of the first chair since she was in ninth grade.
She chose band director Tom Smallwood as her STAR Teacher.
"I've been in his class four years and he has a lot of concern for his students," Lesley said. "He's very involved and passionate about his job. I'm glad I got to pick a STAR Teacher. Mr. Smallwood deserves it."
Smallwood said it's Lesley's strong commitment to everything she does that makes her such an outstanding student.
"I think it's more than just music. She's an all-around great student. Everything she does, she does very well," said Smallwood, whose been teaching band at Greenbrier High School since the school opened seven years ago. "She's an incredible player."
Lesley is president of the National Honor Society, editor of the school's newspaper, The Greenbrier Dispatch, and a member of Beta Club. She's also in the jazz band and marching band.
When she graduates, she said she would like to study occupational therapy or medicine.
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LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL
STAR STUDENT: David Tian
STAR TEACHER: Charles Heywood
Lakeside High School's STAR student David Tian selected his debate coach, Charles Heywood, as his STAR teacher.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
David, 18, is the son of Harry and Nancy Tian of Evans. A member of the school's award-winning debate team, he selected English teacher and debate team coach Charles Heywood at his STAR Teacher.
"David combines three qualities rarely seen in the same person," said Heywood, who has been named a STAR Teacher 12 times and has been Columbia County's STAR Teacher seven times and district STAR Teacher five times. "He's awfully bright, second is he's probably the most self-disciplined and organized student I ever remember teaching, and third is he has an intellectual curiosity which takes him well beyond what he learns in the classroom."
It's that discipline that allows him to juggle a rigorous academic schedule and extracurricular activities with seemingly little effort, said Heywood.
"I think I know him the best, since I've had the pleasure of taking classes from him since I was a freshman," said David, whose also had Heywood as an advanced English teacher for the past two years. "He's a great mentor and has a genuine love of what he does. He takes the extra step to show he cares. He brings an aura of discovery and encourages students to discover literature for themselves."
David has played piano for the past seven years. He's chapter president of the National Honor Society and is a member of the Science Team, Math Team and literary magazine. He's also played in concert band for the past four years.
David has applied to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University and Yale University and wants to study biology or biomedical engineering.
EVANS HIGH SCHOOL
Evans STAR student Rajib Bhattacharjea selected English teacher Mary Stout as his STAR teacher.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
STAR STUDENT: Rajib Bhattacharjea
STAR TEACHER: Mary Stout
Rajib, 17, is the son of Sudhamoy and Anuradha Bhattacharjea of Evans.
"His greatest attribute is his personal integrity in his academic pursuits and family, which I find very admirable in a young person. He has a true sense of character," Rajib's STAR Teacher Mary Stout, who taught Rajib 11th grade advanced placement English and 12th grade advanced placement language arts.
Since Rajib is known for his math prowess, Stout said she was a surprised he named her as his STAR Teacher.
"She's been the greatest teacher. I've had her for two years and she's concentrated on communication, speaking, articulation and presentation - things that would make an effective communicator, which I believe is one of the most important skills in life," Rajib said.
He is vice president of the Science Club, and is a member of the Math Team, Beta Club and National Honor Society. He also participated in the Electric Vehicle Club which organized last year. He has been nominated for a National Merit Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship at Georgia Technical Institute where he will be attending this fall. He plans to major in electrical engineering.
HARLEM HIGH SCHOOL
Harlem High School STAR student Tiffany Umlauf selected math teacher Joyce Cheek as her STAR teacher.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
STAR STUDENT: Tiffany Umlauf
STAR TEACHER: Joyce Cheek
Tiffany, 18, is the daughter of Paul and Denise Umlauf.
She selected math teacher Joyce Cheek as her STAR Teacher.
"I had Mrs. Cheek for two year for math. I'm not a big math person, but she made it easy for me and helped me when I needed help. She made it fun," Tiffany said.
Tiffany is involved in the Drama Club, Thespians, plays clarinet in the band and has been on the soccer team for two years. She's a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and was recently recognized as the district DAR Good Citizen. She was also named Cashier of the Year at IGA in Grovetown where she has worked since July 2001.
"She is a wonderful student, uniquely creative, and that carries over into problem solving in an interesting way," Cheek said."She's very verbal, so for her to have selected me is a delightful honor."
Cheek said she will always remember Tiffany taking the stage to recite a poem she spontaneously made up.
"In projects in mathematics class, she has that same creativity," Cheeks said.
Tiffany plans to attend the University of Georgia and study veterinary medicine.
AUGUSTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
Augusta Christian had two STAR students this year. Erin Swearingen (from left) selected Carolyn Giddens as her STAR teacher, and Kathryn Ellis choose teacher Leslie Dawson.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
STAR STUDENT: Kathryn Ellis
STAR STUDENT: Erin Swearingen
STAR TEACHER: Carolyn Giddens
Erin, 18, is the daughter of Terry and Lauren Swearingen of Evans. She is currently taking advanced placement English and honors physics and is naturally talented in both areas, her teachers said.
Erin chose her AP English teacher and high school principal Carolyn Giddens as her STAR Teacher.
"I love AP English. It is my favorite class," Erin said about Giddens' class. "I learned so much in that class. She is an excellent teacher. She really helped further my writing skills."
Though Giddens may have helped develop Erin's writing skills, she said Erin has a natural love of literature.
"Erin has a gift, a real intuitive gift, for literature," Giddens said. "She is able to interpret really well."
Erin is the Student Council secretary and is very active in youth activities at Warren Baptist Church. She has applied to the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University and Georgia College and State University and wants to study broadcast journalism.
"I am excited about it," Erin said.