Starkville High School has named two SHS seniors STAR Students for their respective scores on the ACT. SHS seniors Christian Dunne and Cooper Snell both earned a score of 35 on the ACT.
The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program recognizes high school seniors in Mississippi who earn the highest ACT score in their school. The STAR student then selects his STAR teacher.
Christian selected Vijay Pacharne as his STAR Teacher while Cooper chose Jennifer Davis as his STAR Teacher, recognizing them as the teachers who most impacted their high school careers.
Christian Dunne
Christian, a student in the Technology, Engineering, and Construction (TEC) Academic House at SHS, plans to pursue a future career in computer science.
"Christian is a very sincere, smart, and hardworking student," said Mr. Pacharne. "He always amazes me with his outstanding capabilities in all areas. He does his best to achieve excellence each day at school, and he possesses a positive attitude to use his potential very wisely."
Christian says what he's learned from Mr. Pacharne has prepared him for that.
"I don't know any teacher who gives as much effort as Mr. Parcharne. He cares so much about making sure his students learn, not just the subject that he's teaching. He really cares that he is improving the knowledge of this students."
"It is a great honor when a student chooses to share their successes with you," said Mr. Pacharne. "As a teacher, my goal is to provide my students with a world class education to prepare them for success beyond my classroom, around the globe."
A three year math student of Vijay Parcharne, Christian says his beloved teacher is an institution in his family. "Mr. Pacharne has taught every one of of my siblings, and he's just kind of a thing in the Dunne house," said Christian.
This is Mr. Pacharne's third selection as STAR Teacher at Starkville High School. A 21 year teacher, Mr. Pacharne has spent the last 11 years of his teaching career at SHS.
Cooper Snell
Cooper, also a student in the TEC House at SHS, plans to attend Mississippi State University and major in civil engineering, but his experiences as a student artist led him to choose his choral teacher, Mrs. Davis, as the teacher who most influenced him.
"I have learned a lot from Mrs. Davis, not just about singing," said Cooper. "She's taught me what it means to do the work, make the effort and put your best foot forward."
"I was incredibly surprised and very honored that Cooper chose me as his STAR Teacher," said Mrs. Davis. "As one of our strongest musicians, he is a great leader who works really hard in our choral program.
This is Davis's first selection as STAR Teacher at Starkville High School and her second in her 24 year teaching career.
Cooper and Christian, also a student artist, credit SHS with offering them educational experiences that allow them to pursue their individual passions.
"SHS has offered me a well-rounded education, and I think that is so important," said Cooper. "I've learned a lot about the sciences, but I've also been given the space to express myself and create something I am passionate about which has allowed me to grow as an individual."
"Inter-disciplinary focus is something that Starkville High School does really well," said Christian. "I remember when the House concept was first introduce, there were some concerns that students would be hyper-focused on their subject or career focus area, but that is absolutely not been the case."
Christian and Mr. Pacharne along with Cooper and Mrs. Davis will be honored during a luncheon hosted by the Mississippi Economic Council and the M.B. Swayze Foundation recognizing all of the STAR students and teachers in the state in April.
