Dougherty County STAR students, teachers honored at luncheon ceremony

ALBANY – Six STAR students from local schools were recognized alongside their chosen STAR teacher Wednesday, but only one was chosen to represent Dougherty County at regional competition. 

The student was Shivani Yadavalli, a Deerfield-Windsor School senior, who said she aspired to major in Biology once she chooses which college or university she’ll attend. 

This was the Albany Area Chamber’s 67th annual Dougherty County STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Program) luncheon. To qualify for the STAR competition, a student must have the highest score on a single test on the three-part SAT and be in the top 10% (or Top 10) of students in their graduating class based on grade-point average.

This event is a function of the Chamber’s Talent Catalyst division, which has a mission to impact and strengthen the education-to-work force pipeline and cultivate the community’s next generation of leaders.

“Our students, our future talent pipeline, are perhaps the most critical piece of our economy’s future,” Albany Area Chamber CEO and President Bárbara Rivera Holmes said. “Working with our educators and employers on this long-term initiative of the Albany Area Chamber and the Albany Area Chamber Foundation is critical and central to our business success and thus to our regional success.”

Yadavalli chose her fourth-grade teacher from DWS, Shay Bradshaw, as her STAR teacher. Yadavalli said elementary school is a formative time in a person’s life, and Bradshaw was an encouraging source of motivation who pushed her to step outside her comfort zone to be more confident. 

“I was a really shy kid, but she always pushed me forward and made me meet new people,” Yadavalli said.

Bradshaw gave Yadavalli her love of the math subject, the senior said.

“I’m taking AP Calculus now, and I still remember her silly little songs in my head every time I’m doing math,” Yadavalli said. 

Bradshaw said she is not surprised to see Yadavalli chosen as the STAR student. 

“When I taught her, she was so bright, so driven, and I’m so proud,” she said. “To the teachers, never underestimate how your words, your actions, your lesson plans, and silly songs impact.”

Other students and teachers recognized include: 

• Payton Bush, the STAR Student from Westover Comprehensive High School and her STAR Teacher, Angela Wiley, also from Westover Comprehensive High School.
• Toccara Ayanna Thomas, the STAR Student from Monroe Comprehensive High School and her STAR Teacher, Dehavilland Moody from Lamar Reese Elementary Magnet School of the Arts.
• Samantha M. Aberdeen, the STAR Student from Dougherty Comprehensive High School and her STAR Teacher, Antonio Laidler, also from Dougherty Comprehensive High School.
• Luke Evan Bergrab, the STAR Student from Sherwood Christian Academy and his STAR Teacher, Vicki Davis also from Sherwood Christian Academy.
• Caleb W. Haynes, the STAR Student from Byne Memorial Baptist School and his STAR Teacher, Nichole Wise from Thomas University

Bush will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology, majoring in computer engineering. She said she aspires to take part in research and work for the IBM Technology company in advanced computing and quantum computing. As far as her STAR teacher, Bush said Wiley conducted an interactive classroom that inspired her to pursue her dreams and even take part in a state science fair competition. 

Thomas will attend North Carolina A&T to study mechanical engineering and finance. The Monroe High senior got choked up describing her STAR teacher. 

“She’s the first teacher that I felt genuinely had my best interest at heart,” Thomas said. “I’m honored to have been your student.” 

Aberdeen said she doesn’t know where she will start her undergraduate journey, but she has a plan. The Dougherty High senior said she plans to get her bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in education with a science track. Then, she said she plans to go to Mercer Law School.

“I know that’s a lot,” she said. “But, that’s why I chose Mr. Laidler because … he encouraged me to do great things.”

Bergrab said he plans to attend Georgia College and is still deciding on his career path. He said he chose Davis, who was his technology teacher, because she entertained in-depth discussions about the world and its relationship with technology. He said he also fell in love with film class.

“I learned the importance of story and real stories and how they impact people’s lives,” Bergrab said. “Whatever I end up doing, I want to tell stories that matter.” 

Haynes will attend Kennesaw State University, majoring in marketing and minoring in business. He chose Wise as his STAR teacher. 

“She took time to dissect deep subjects and consider my opinions with sincere interest,” he said. “With her help, I learned the importance of being quiet and listening to opposing views with respect.”

Holmes concluded the ceremony by encouraging students to go out and experience the world.

“But, remember where you came from,” she said. “We need you back one day to invest and continue to grow and to inspire other students just like yourself.”