Rowan Newsome named Glascock STAR Student
Glascock County High School senior Rowan Newsome has been named the school’s 2022 PAGE STAR Student. Rowan selected Kelly Bryan, Glascock County High School English teacher, as his STAR Teacher.
Rowan, the son of Larry and Shellie Newsome, earned the recognition for academic achievement and performance on the SAT. He has participated in dual enrollment courses throughout high school and will graduate with 24 college credit hours earned in core classes. In addition to maintaining an impressive GPA with his rigorous course schedule, Rowan served as his class President, yearbook editor, and works part time. After graduation, he plans to attend college and pursue a degree in psychology.
“I chose Mrs. Bryan as my STAR Teacher because she has supported and inspired me to do my best no matter what," Rowan said. "She was always a great help to me in every class including my Dual-Enrollment college courses, which were the most difficult classes in my high school career. Mrs. Bryan’s positivity is also highly infectious as she always encourages her students in every situation. She even remained enthusiastic during our stressful yearbook class, as deadlines were always rapidly approaching. Even though she has not taught at GCCS for long, she has changed my life and the lives of many other students.”
Bryan graduated from Georgia College & State University with a masters degree in 2010. After graduation, she taught for eight years at Brentwood and taught high school history. In 2018, Bryan began teaching English at GCCS. She and her husband Jason have two children. Bryan was named the High School Teacher of the Year for 2021.
“I have had the pleasure of having Rowan as a student for two years," Bryan said. "Rowan was enrolled in Journalism as the Editor of my Yearbook Staff this year. Additionally, he participated in my Writer’s Workshop course last year. He is an exceptional student with good grades resulting from diligent work habits, and he is a joy to have in class. Rowan is intelligent, motivated, and has a unique sense of humor. I have been impressed by his individuality and determination to succeed. Academically, he has always been prepared for class, engaged in activities, and asked exceptional questions. When Rowan set goals for himself, he completed the task efficiently and with exemplary detail. Working with Rowan on his writing, for my classes or his college courses, I appreciated his analytical mind and his valuation of vocabulary. Evaluating presentations he completed, I enjoyed his creativity and ability to share a new perspective with his peers. Editing the yearbook, I was blessed by his meticulous attention and sense of responsibility. In character, I have been entertained by his wit and delighted in his bright personality. I am so proud of Rowan’s accomplishments, and I wish him the best in all future endeavors.”
The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program is sponsored, administered and promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the PAGE Foundation. The local sponsor for Glascock County’s STAR Student is Scott’s Place in Gibson. Since its creation, the STAR program has honored nearly 27,500 students and the teachers they have selected as the most influential to their academic achievement. 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 to qualify for STAR nomination.
STAR begins each year in participating Georgia high schools when the STAR Student is named and chooses a STAR Teacher to share in this recognition. The students and their teachers are honored by their schools and receive special recognition in their communities from one of the more than 170 statewide civic organizations and businesses that serve as local sponsors of the STAR program. Students then compete for school system recognition as the top STAR Student, and those winners compete for region honors. Region winners contend for the honor of being named State PAGE STAR Student. STAR Teachers continue on with their STAR Students at every level of the program.
The Professional Association of Georgia Educators honors outstanding students and educators, and encourages academic excellence through competitive programs such as PAGE STAR, the PAGE Academic Bowl for Middle Grades, and the PAGE Georgia Academic Decathalon.
The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) is the state’s largest and fastest-growing educator association. Deeply committed to excellence in public education, PAGE provides unparalleled legal coverage, legislative advocacy, and professional learning opportunities to more than 95,000 teachers, administrators, and school personnel. PAGE protects, supports, and empowers members throughout all stages and facets of their career. For more information, visit the website at www.pageinc.org.