Photo of Student and teacher pose for picture

Nishi Patel has been named STAR Student for the 2023-2024 school year by the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program. The program will be held April 4, 2024, at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl, MS. The theme for the event is “Pathways to Success.” This year will mark the 59th Anniversary of the 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 Warren Central senior will be listed with the 2024 STAR Students and STAR Teachers. Star Students are selected based on academic excellence. Both American College Test 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. 

Sean Collins was designated as the STAR Teacher. 

More than 550 STAR Students and STAR Teachers will receive recognition from MEC’s STAR Education 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 the 2023 – 2024 school year, winner of the coveted $24,000 Cook Foundation Scholarship.