Special to the Journal
Houston County High School senior Will Freeman was named the
2012 Region VI Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Student during a
banquet held at Middle Georgia State College. Freeman advanced to the state
STAR competition.
STAR Students select a teacher who has been most
instrumental in his or her academic development. Freeman selected Laura Byrd as
his STAR Teacher. Pictured are (from left): Houston County High principal
Michelle Masters; Superintendent Robin Hines, Freeman and Byrd.
Freeman is the son of Dr. William and Sheila Freeman and the
brother of Sarah and Timothy. He has been actively involved with the Houston
County High Theater Department for all four years including vice president of
the Thespian Troupe. He was involved in HOCO soccer for his first two years and
has joined the Ensemble his senior year. He is a member of Beta Club, President
of the National Honor Society, and Treasurer of the Tri-M Society and a peer
tutor.
He has participated in the Governor’s Honors Program in
chemistry, the Warner Robins Youth Leadership Program, the State Student
Advisory Council and the National Student Leadership Conference at the
University of Maryland. He is a National Merit Finalist, Optimist Student of
the Month and a UGA Merit Scholar. Freeman is also the Valedictorian for the
Class of 2013 at Houston County High School. He plans to study medicine.
Byrd is an Advanced Placement and Honors chemistry teacher
at Houston County High. She has taught for 25 years since graduating from the
University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in secondary science education.
She has also earned master and specialist degrees in educational leadership
from Columbus State College. In addition, Byrd is the science department head,
sponsors the Houston County High National Honor Society, coaches the HCHS swim
team and is a staff member of the Black and Silver Brigade Marching and
Competition Band. She has been awarded school STAR Teacher seven times and
district STAR Teacher four times.
Freeman’s and Byrd’s banquet tickets were sponsored by the
Perry Area and Robins Regional Chambers of Commerce.
The STAR program was created to focus attention on Georgia’s
outstanding students and teachers. To obtain the STAR nomination, students must
have the highest score in one sitting on the SAT taken through the November
test date of their senior year. Students must also be in the top 10 percent or
top 10 students of their class. Each STAR student selects a STAR teacher –
someone who has been most influential in his or her academic success. STAR
students compete for system, region and state-level awards.
HHJ News
