Photo: LHS and Region STAR Student Ford Scott and STAR Teacher Taylor Payne
LOWNDES, CO. – Lowndes High School announces student and teacher for earning the Region Student Teacher Achievement Recognition.
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Ford Scott, recognized as Lowndes High School’s 2024 STAR Student, has now earned the prestigious title of Regional STAR Student.
The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Georgia’s highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development.
To obtain the 2024 STAR nomination, graduating high school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average. Ford qualified with an impressive score of 1580 – just three questions shy of a perfect score. School-level STAR students then move on to compete at a region-level. The student with the highest score earns this title.
Following selection at the school level, STAR students progress to compete at the regional level, where the student with the highest score is awarded the coveted title. Ford earned the title for his region, and will continue to compete for the state title.
“It feels like an amazing accomplishment,” Ford says, reflecting on his achievement. He acknowledges the dedication and effort behind his award, noting that he has spent approximately “two to three hours each day reviewing for the SAT for the past year and a half. To see all those hours give me a palpable result has been inspiring for me.”
Much of his studying was driven by his aspirations to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He eagerly awaits the college’s response this Spring.
STAR students are tasked with selecting one STAR Teacher who has played a significant role in their educational journey. Ford chose Mr. Taylor Payne, a decision that he said was, “without hesitation.”
When talking to his counselor about the honor, Ford was asked, “What is one class that you would take over and over again?”
“Without even thinking, I said Mr. Payne’s AP Computer science class,” says Ford.
Payne taught Ford his sophomore year and continues to coach him on the Esports team.
“Mr. Payne helped me break out of my shell,” Ford explains. “I really found a home within the AP Computer Science class and Esports team.”
Payne expressed the honor he felt being selected by Ford as the 2024 LHS STAR Teacher.
“It was a fantastic feeling when Ford named me his STAR Teacher,” says Payne. “Receiving this honor from him helped remind me that what I am doing in the classroom is making an impact, which is exactly the reason I wanted to be in this profession.”
Mr. Payne’s class instilled such a love for computer science in Ford, that he plans to declare it as his major in college.
“Ford is persistent in his work. He doesn’t accept not turning in his very best,” Payne adds. “He is brilliant, he is natural, but also so humble.”
Ford is quick to mention that he credits much of his success to those around him.
“I just love Lowndes High School,” he says. “Teachers like Mr. Payne have made my journey here what it is. I owe my success to the people who have helped me along the way.”
Ford and Mr. Payne will move forward to compete in the State STAR competition in April. Lowndes County Schools is proud to have this student-teacher represent the Vikings!
