Senior MSA student, Piper Bott, has been named STAR student for the 2016-2017 school year by the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) M.B. Swayze Foundation, sponsor of the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program. Established by the Mississippi Economic Council in 1965, the purpose of the STAR program is to recognize outstanding students & teachers in Mississippi through its Education Celebration. The theme this year is: Inspire. Empower. Motivate.
Piper, an MSA visual arts major from Meridian, Mississippi, will be honored during the annual Education celebration on April 27th, 2017, at the Jackson Convention Complex in downtown Jackson, Mississippi.
Star Students are selected on the basis of academic excellence. Both American College Test (ACT) scores and scholastic averages are compared to determine the school’s STAR Student, explained Vickie Powell of Jackson, Senior Vice President of Foundations. “The STAR program encourages and promotes academic achievement among Mississippi’s high school seniors,” she said. Each STAR Student is asked to designate a STAR Teacher, the teacher who has made the greatest contribution to the student’s scholastic achievement.
Marsha Iverson (Meridian High School) was her designated STAR Teacher.
“I’ve known Mrs. Marsha since I was eleven. I met her in fourth grade when I enrolled in after school art classes at the Meridian Museum of Art. We connected because she encouraged and inspired me to approach art on my own terms. I was fortunate enough to have her as a teacher during my freshman and sophomore years at Meridian High school. Even though I attend MSA, she continues to support my artistic endeavors. The Meridian Public School District is blessed to have her as an art instructor.” said Bott.
Over 500 STAR Students and STAR Teachers will receive recognition from MEC’s M.B. Swayze Foundation at the Celebration. The top 20 STAR Students — The ALL-STAR Scholars — will receive scholarships and their STAR Teachers will receive awards provided by the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation. The highlight of the Education Celebration will be the naming of the Mississippi ALL-STAR Scholar for 2016-2017 school year, winner of the coveted $24,000 Cook Foundation Scholarship.
Mississippi School of the Arts is a public, residential high school for fine arts, serving accepted junior and senior high school students from all over the state. Acceptance into MSA is based on audition in the arts. We’re located in historic, downtown Brookhaven, Mississippi. Join us in the conversation @msabrookhaven on facebook, twitter, and Instagram.