Fannin County High School senior Lexi McGill was named the 2020 Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) student Monday, February 17, at the annual banquet sponsored by the Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club.
“I’ve lived in Fannin County my whole life and I’ve attended Fannin County schools my entire life as well,” McGill said. “I’m very thankful for the community I got to grow up in, that’s so supportive of all the students throughout our school system. I’ve always felt encouraged by my community, and I’m very thankful to live where I did.”
This honor is awarded to the Fannin County student applicant who has the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and is in the top 10% or top 10 students in their class based on grade point average. Once selected, the student chooses the teacher who has had the most impact on them during their academic career.
McGill chose Fine Arts/Drama teacher Todd Geren as her STAR teacher.
“I always wanted to be more outgoing and more extroverted, but honestly at the time that seemed near impossible,” McGill said. “I’m very thankful to Mr. Geren for helping me grow in confidence through the Drama program.”
McGill explained that Geren taught her and her thespian troupe mates the Thespian Motto, which is “Act well your part; there all the honor lies.”
“What that means is we should always do our best because everyday is an audition, so we should always do our best in school whether it’s just a participation grade or the big final or the big test,” she said. “Even outside of the classroom whether its passing someone in the hallway and just saying hello and smiling or getting up in front of a crowd and being polite. He (Geren) always taught us to do our best.”
While Geren has received this award three times now, he says it means the most to him to be selected by McGill.
“I cannot think of another young person more important in my life right now, apart from my own children, than this young lady that we’re honoring tonight,” Geren said. “We see the most compassionate leader that I think the Thespian Troupe #6952 has ever seen. We see a dancing choreographer, a lady who has been requested twice by their peers to direct their show.”
He explained that her faith is encouraging to him and those around her.
“She follows the Lord, which personally makes me extremely thankful,” he said. “She knows I serve the same father that she serves. I think that’s where our connection really hit home. I know with Lexi walking through our schools, that the light of Christ is in our halls, and I can not think of a more splendid, splendid example of his love than I’ve seen through this young lady.”
McGill plans to attend Georgia Institute of Technology following high school graduation, and study either industrial or mechanical engineering.
“I’m a little sad this chapter of my life is ending and that I’m having to move on and go do other things, but I’m also very excited to start the next chapter in my life,” she said.
FCHS Counselor Sara Stewart spoke to McGill’s hard work and her ability to take the initiative to prepare for college.
“It’s been an honor to get to know you, Lexi, and work with you,” Stewart said. “Through mock trial, through drama, I know she’s very involved in our school and a great role model for all of our students who look up to you so much.”
As the Fannin County STAR student and teacher, McGill and Geren will represent the county in the state STAR competition later this year.
The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) has sponsored, administered and promoted the STAR Program for 62 years and has honored around 27,500 students and teachers. The Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club has sponsored the Fannin County STAR student and teacher exclusively for each of those 62 years.