Teachers and students recognized as stars for 2021

��èAV��Ƶ honors its Star Teachers and Star Students for 2021

They aspire to be among the next generation of engineers, scientists, doctors, teachers, psychologists, and entrepreneurs. They are the ��èAV��Ƶ Star Students in the Class of 2021.

So, who do the Star Students credit for being an integral part of their success? That’s right. They give credit to their Star Teachers.

Each year, ��èAV��Ƶ partners with The ��èAV��Ƶ Gazette to sponsor the Star Teacher-Star Student Awards. The program recognizes an outstanding senior from each high school and the teacher who had the greatest influence on the student’s educational career.

“Our Star Students are excellent examples of young people today,” said Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker. “They have received numerous awards and accolades during their high school career, and they have contributed to their school and community in meaningful ways. Our Star Students have their sights set on doing more, being more, and achieving more in life. There is no question that they are our stars for a better tomorrow.”

Dr. Booker continued, “The Star Teachers have empowered their students with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence needed to reach their fullest potential. They have been an inspiration to our Star Students, and they have encouraged all of their students to be the best they can be.”

Again this year, the Star Teacher-Star Student Awards were conducted in video format because of the coronavirus pandemic. The video will air the week of April 26 - May 2 on Spectrum Cable Channel 21 at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. each day. The video also is available for viewing anytime on the .

Below is a list of the Star Teachers and Star Students in the Class of 2021:

■ The Star Student from Ashbrook High School is Nicole Best. She plans to attend N.C. State University to major in biochemistry. Her Star Teacher is Michael Rhodes, who teaches history at Ashbrook High School.

■ The Star Student from Bessemer City High School is Aleczandria Stinnett. She plans to attend the University of Georgia to major in business marketing. Her Star Teacher is Patricia Knight, who teaches science at Bessemer City High School.

■ The Star Student from Cherryville High School is Chase McNeill. He plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill to major in history. His Star Teacher is Lance Holt, who teaches history at Cherryville High School.

■ The Star Student from Stuart W. Cramer High School is David John Major. He plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill to major in chemistry or biochemistry. His Star Teacher is Holly Hoerst, who teaches English at Stuart W. Cramer High School.

■ The Star Student from East ��èAV��Ƶ High School is MaKayla Boyd. She plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill to major in education. Her Star Teacher is Deborah Lytz, who teaches English at East ��èAV��Ƶ High School.

■ The Star Student from Forestview High School is Harshil Ramchandani. He plans to attend N.C. State University to major in psychology. His Star Teacher is Robert Combs, who teaches history at Forestview High School.

■ The Star Student from the ��èAV��Ƶ Early College High School is Savannah Mercer. She plans to attend ��èAV��Ƶ College to pursue a degree in cosmetology. Her Star Teacher is Megan Hibberts, who teaches American history and current events at the ��èAV��Ƶ Early College High School.

■ The Star Student from the Highland School of Technology is Madelyn Van Meter. She plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill to major in biology and pre-medicine. Her Star Teacher is Anna Ballard, who teaches civics, economics, and government at the Highland School of Technology.

■ The Star Student from Hunter Huss High School is Lanadia Adams. She plans to attend N.C. State University to major in political science. Her Star Teacher is Bethany Huffman, who teaches civics and economics at Hunter Huss High School.

■ The Star Student from North ��èAV��Ƶ High School is Kaitlyn Bice. She plans to attend the University of Central Florida to major in aerospace engineering. Her Star Teacher is Jennifer Reed, who teaches math and yearbook at North ��èAV��Ƶ High School.

■ The Star Student from South Point High School is Sydney Lester. She plans to attend Duke University to major in computer science. Her Star Teacher is Kody Kubbs, who teaches history at South Point High School.

■ The Star Student from Webb Street School is Sergio Roberto Quinonez Munoz. He plans to join the workforce after graduation. His Star Teacher is Kirsy Isabel, who is an adapted curriculum teacher at Webb Street School.

Each Star Student wrote an essay about his or her Star Teacher. Click here to read the essays.

Each student honoree receives a framed Star Student certificate and a Star Student lapel pin, and each teacher honoree receives an engraved Star Teacher trophy that is presented by The Gazette. Additionally, the Star Students and Star Teachers were featured in a full-page advertisement in the newspaper on April 25. Click here to see the advertisement.

The Star Teacher-Star Students Awards program is a tradition for ��èAV��Ƶ that dates back more than 20 years when the recognition ceremony was presented by Time Warner Cable. The Gazette later assumed sponsorship of the program. Typically, the students and teachers are recognized during a special ceremony and reception at The Schiele Museum, but the pandemic forced the cancellation of the in-person event this year and last year.