The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors high school seniors who had the highest SAT score in their graduating class.

For Spalding County, Emily Lamb (Griffin High School), Elizabeth Turner (Spalding High School) and Rebecca Anne Stewart (Griffin Christian High School) received this prestigious recognition Wednesday at the Kiwanis Club of Griffin meeting.

Each of them chose a teacher who they felt was most instrumental in their academic development. Thus, Elizabeth Todd (Griffin High), Josh Todd (Spalding High) and Cathy Eley (Griffin Christian High) each received the STAR Teacher Award.

“There are so many times that teachers don’t get that pat on the back that they deserve. The STAR program gives them that pat on the back,” said Stephanie Windham, the former chairwoman of the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, which has participated in the STAR program for more than 50 years.

The three teachers recognized praised the students.

“She’s determined. She doesn’t let anything stand in her way,” said Elizabeth Todd about Lamb. “She doesn’t like excuses. She just does it.”

Josh Todd found similar words when he spoke about Turner, who was later named STAR student of the Griffin-Spalding County School System. “If I’m a STAR teacher, it’s only because of students like Elizabeth,” he said.

Eley said Stewart’s character and integrity helped her accomplish many things.

In her closing remarks, Griffin-Spalding County School System Assistant Superintendent Denise Burrell challenged the three STAR students to continue their career or education after high school somewhere outside of Griffin, even outside of Georgia.

“But when you are finished, come back to us, because our hope rests in you,” Burrell said.