Freeman named Region VI STAR Student

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.

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