The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the Walker County Chamber of Commerce announced and honored the 2008 Walker County STAR students and teachers at a luncheon attended by Chamber members and school administrators.

Aida Balthazor at LaFayette High and Hannah Ruth Pennington at Ridgeland were selected as STAR students for making the highest scores in one test administration of the three-part Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) taken through the December test date of their senior year in high school.  Balthazor and Pennington are also Honor Students in the top ten percent of their graduation classes.

Each year, STAR students are asked to select the one teacher most influential in their education careers.  Balthazor chose her Math teacher, Kathryn Parrish.  Pennington chose her history teacher, Randy Bandy.  All four were honored by the Chamber and the students received cash awards at the recognition luncheon.

Aida Balthazor was selected as district STAR Student and will represent Walker County Schools on the next level of competition in the region. 

Representing the Walker County Chamber Education Committee, Ms. Brenda Noblitt (front) and (left to right) Craig Davoulas, Walker County Schools Director of Personnel, LaFayette High STAR Teacher Kathryn Parrish, Walker County Schools STAR Student Aida Balthazor, Ridgeland High STAR Student Hannah Ruth Pennington and Ridgeland STAR Teacher Randy Bandy.