Union County High School Class of 2025 has two new STARs in Gunnar Ingram and Turner West, who are tied for highest GPA in their class.
The seniors received schoolwide STAR Student recognition with an intercom announcement on Jan. 23 after they informed their chosen STAR Teachers, Howard McCombs and Dixie Conger, of their victory.
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STAR is a program of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, or PAGE, sponsored at the local level by the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce. STAR stands for Student Teacher Achievement Recognition – a prestigious accomplishment, to be sure.
“To be nominated as a STAR, Georgia high school students meet several criteria, including having the highest SAT score at their schools on any single test date through November of their senior year and being in the Top 10% or Top 10 students of their class based on grade point average,” per PAGE.
When Turner West reflects on the kind of student he’s been over the years, he sees definite growth. He admits that, in the past, he wasn’t the best test-taker, but he overcame his anxiety by working hard. Indeed, he believes that earning STAR Student isn’t just about good grades.
Gunnar Ingram agrees that persistence pays off. He finds that working toward his goals is all the motivation he needs to reach them. School itself was always something he enjoyed; he can remember being so excited about attending that, in middle school, he made a routine of setting out his clothes the night before.
“It’s not about the test scores but just making sure you get the information down and trying to put your all into it,” Ingram said as West nodded in affirmation.
Both think that it’s not just the studies one pursues, but the people around them – whether that means getting involved in extracurricular activities or turning to teachers for advice.
According to the PAGE Foundation, a high school STAR Student is asked to name a STAR Teacher who has had an outsized impact on his or her educational career.
In terms of teachers who have made their school years worthwhile, West said that Conger played a vital role in how he envisions his future.
“I chose Mrs. Conger because I’m eventually going to major in biological science at (the University of Georgia), and I want to go into the dental field,” West explained. “I feel like she’s taught me and prepared me well for my career in life and eventually becoming hopefully what I want to be.”
McCombs describes Ingram, in a word, as “driven.” Diligent and self-motivated, Ingram never seems to have a problem getting his work done insofar as McCombs has seen, and in fact finds the time to manage his own business while maintaining his studies.
It helps that McCombs’ business and entrepreneurship class offers Ingram a way to practice his endeavors. McCombs has noticed that Ingram uses what he learns in class to reinforce what he does outside of school, and in turn brings insight to the table as a budding businessman.
Still, he wasn’t expecting Ingram to choose him when it came time to pick a teacher who has made a major difference in his life.
“CTAE teachers are not typically at the top of the food chain for STAR Teacher; I was very, very surprised and grateful, and it means a lot to me,” McCombs said with a humble smile. For what it’s worth, Ingram views McCombs as going above and beyond teaching, and readily refers to him as a leader.
As mentioned previously, West hopes to graduate from UGA, which he chose for its campus environment, before going on to dental school. As for his career of choice, he credits his experience shadowing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon last summer.
Ingram will be attending UGA as well. He expressed a desire to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business and possibly minor in nutritional, exercise or clinical science. Thanks to his media business, Ingram Productions, and McCombs’ class, he’s discovered a love for business and helping other people.
As the Class of 2025’s new STARs ready themselves for exciting new chapters, they both had some advice for younger students who will eventually rise to take their place.
“Work hard in school (and) do what you like, most importantly,” suggested West. “There’s things that you (miss) out on, but in the long run, it’s going to be worth it.”
“Do the hard work first,” was Ingram’s bottom line, though he added also that one should always be true to themselves. “If you have many assignments, and there’s one you’re really … scared or have anxiety about, go ahead and get it out of the way. Don’t push it off, don’t wait until the last second.”
Along with their family and STAR Teachers, both young men want to credit STEM Advisor Alecia Frizzell with their success, along with Mrs. April Krieger and Coach Kelly.
“It’s a big honor; I’m very happy,” said West of his achievement, while Ingram said of himself, “It means a lot – definitely the defining achievement of high school so far.”
The two STAR Students and STAR Teachers will receive formal recognition at the annual Evening with the STARs Banquet set for Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. inside the Community Center, where other high-achieving students from Union County High and Woody Gap School will be recognized as well.
