The Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce was honored recently by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation for serving as the local sponsor of the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program in Decatur County since the inception of the program 50 years ago.

Dr. Suzi Bonifay, center, accepts plaque  from  PAGE Foundation President Tom Wommack with Linda Parton, PAGE Membership Services Representative for District 2, on left.

The STAR program, which celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, honors Georgia's highest achieving high school seniors and the teachers who were most instrumental in their academic development. The program, which was originally conceived, designed and implemented by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, has enjoyed enormous support from its more than 165 local sponsors statewide, 64 of which have been sponsors since the program began.

In 1994 the PAGE Foundation was asked to serve as the state coordinator of the program and host of the annual State PAGE STAR Banquet, during which the State PAGE STAR Student and State PAGE STAR Teacher are announced. The PAGE Foundation along with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Education are statewide STAR sponsors.

PAGE Foundation President Tom Wommack commended the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce for its continued support. "Since the STAR program began 50 years ago, more than 21,000 high school seniors have been honored for their academic achievements and they, in turn, have had the opportunity to choose the teacher they felt had the greatest impact on their academic success. The program begins at the community level, and every accredited high school in the state participates thanks to the loyal and active support of local organizations such as the Bainbridge-Decatur Chamber of Commerce. We are grateful for their continued support of a program that honors students for their academic accomplishments and the teachers who inspire them," Wommack said.

Wommack stated, "The Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber has used this (STAR) as a vehicle to promote academic excellence and the students strive to excel and be the best. It is a reward not only for the students but the teachers."

Upon accepting the plaque for the Chamber, Dr. Suzi Bonifay stated, "How can you go wrong supporting student academic achievement where the students in turn thank the person that has the largest impact on their educational experience."