Deerfield-Windsor’s Steven Feng is named Dougherty County’s Star Student for 2015

ALBANY — Proving that the adage “the more things change, the more they remain the same” has merit, for the fifth straight year a Deerfield-Windsor student has been named Dougherty County’s Star Student for 2015.

DWS senior Steven Feng, along with his STAR teacher Bill Spangler, were recognized at an Albany Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Friday. Feng is the son of May and Lee Feng.

Three other county students were in contention for the honor — Ashley Sirmans of Albany High, Laura Pappas of Sherwood Christian Academy, and Thomas Langstaff of Westover High School. The last non-DWS student to win the award was Westover’s Michael Lomax in 2010. Lomax went on to become the state of Georgia’s STAR student and was awarded a full academic scholarship to Yale University.

Feng has yet to decide on a college or a major, but according to Spangler, he has shown a propensity toward applied physics. In addition, Feng’s father is a professor of mathematics at Albany State University.

“I spent a lot of Saturday mornings watching the Discovery Channel,” The younger Feng said. “I learned that a lot of problems can be solved by science.”

Feng has already been accepted by the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, but said he is still considering other universities as he decides if he wants to go into medicine or engineering.

“I’ve always been told that college is an exploratory experience in addition to an academic experience,” Feng said. “In 20 years I just hope to be active and engaged in making the world a better place. But right now I still need time because I am unsure as to which direction I want to go.”

Spangler is certain that whichever path Feng chooses, he will be successful.

“Basically I rode Steven’s coattails to get here,” Spangler, who has taught science at Deerfield for four years said. “He is easily the brightest student I have taught in my time at Deerfield. (Feng) is bright, well-grounded and has gifts in math. He’s humble enough to take suggestions and his ego is in check.”

Prior to the award being announced, Dougherty County School Board Member Dr. Lane Price spoke about the STAR Program. And she can do so with authority since she herself was a STAR Student from Americus in the program’s inaugural year in 1959.

“I have a great love for the STAR program since I was among the state’s first STAR student class 55 years ago,” Price said, then offered some advice. “Y’all can reach for the stars. My academic life has been fun, and you can change your path at any time. I should know, I spent 28 years in school.

“Remember this is just a starting place for y’all. It is an honor to say I was a STAR student.”

DCSS Superintendent Butch Mosely then lightened the mood.

“I was not the STAR student in my class, but I did finish in the top 13,” he told the gathering. “There were six boys and seven girls in my graduating class …”

To obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on any single test date of the three-part SAT taken through the November test date of their senior year and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average. Nominees’ SAT scores must be equal to or higher than the latest available national average on the critical reading, math and writing sections.

Each high school STAR Student is asked to name a STAR Teacher. High school STAR Students compete for system titles; and system STAR Students in turn compete for region-wide honors in the 12 STAR Regions. Region winners and their STAR Teachers are invited to Atlanta to compete for the state STAR scholarships and awards.

Locally, the program is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Albany Lions Club.