Bulloch County’s top high school scholars and their most influential teachers were honored Wednesday at the annual STAR Recognition Luncheon, held at the Ag South Farm Credit Service Community Room. Sponsored by the Statesboro Rotary Club and the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education, the event celebrated the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, which acknowledges academic excellence and outstanding teaching in Georgia’s high schools.
At the culmination of the event, Erin Shen of Statesboro High School was named Bulloch County’s 2025 STAR Student, and her AP Environmental Science teacher, Richard McCombs, was honored as the 2025 STAR Teacher.
Recognizing Academic Excellence and Inspirational Teaching
The STAR program, coordinated by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the PAGE Foundation, has honored more than 30,000 high school seniors and their STAR teachers since its inception in 1958. The program’s purpose is threefold:
- To recognize academic achievement and encourage students to strive for excellence.
- To honor exceptional teachers and promote teaching as a lifelong career.
- To foster a strong connection between the education system and the business community.
Each STAR Student, representing their respective high school, selects their STAR Teacher, the educator who has had the most significant impact on their academic success.
Meet Bulloch County’s 2025 STAR Student and Teacher
Erin Shen – Statesboro High School STAR Student
Shen, a senior at Statesboro High School, has distinguished herself academically and through her passion for international relations and environmental policy. She plans to attend Stanford University, where she will study international law, sustainability, and global diplomacy.
She selected Richard McCombs, her AP Environmental Science teacher, as her STAR Teacher, marking the fourth time he has received this honor.
"Mr. McCombs brings environmental science to life, making it more than just a subject in school but a lens through which I understand the world," Shen said. "Through hands-on labs, real-world case studies, and insightful discussions, he has not only taught me about science but also inspired me to make a difference in the world."
McCombs praised Shen’s intellectual curiosity, leadership, and passion for global sustainability, stating, "Erin is one of the most dedicated students I’ve ever taught. She has a deep commitment to environmental advocacy, from launching climate leadership initiatives to securing grants for sustainability programs. It is an honor to be chosen as her STAR Teacher."
As the Bulloch County STAR winners, Shen and McCombs will represent the county at the Region 8 STAR Recognition at Georgia Southern University in March, competing against STAR students from 16 area counties. Should they win at the regional level, they will advance to the state competition in Atlanta in April.
2025 School-Level STAR Nominees
Bulloch Academy: Dane Wyles, STAR Student; Beth Burke, STAR Teacher
- He plans to attend Mercer University and major in mechanical engineering.
- He chose his 12th-grade math teacher, Beth Burke, as his STAR Teacher, her sixth selection.
- Dane said:
“Ms. Burke truly loves what she does, and it comes through in how she teaches. Math was my least favorite subject, and now, after taking her classes, with how she presents the information and how she’s always willing to help me to understand, it is one of my favorites.” - Beth Burke said:
“Dane Wyles is a quiet student who leads by example rather than words. He is determined to challenge himself regardless of the amount of work and time required to get the job done. He is an amazing student who is a delight to have in class. I am honored to be selected as Dane's STAR teacher. It means so much to me that he recognizes the importance of engaging in the learning process.”
Portal Middle High School: Riley Bolton, STAR Student; Brantley Spence, STAR Teacher
- He plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and pursue a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering.
- He chose his seventh-grade science teacher, Brantley Spence, as his STAR teacher.
- Riley said:
“I chose Brantley Spence as my STAR teacher because he has consistently helped me academically. He has been one of my main role models since seventh grade. He has helped many of my classmates in a similar manner. Out of all of my teachers, he goes the furthest for me and my classmates.” - Brantley Spence said:
“Riley is the kind of student every teacher hopes to have—motivated, driven, and committed to success both in the classroom and in life. I’ve witnessed his remarkable growth firsthand. Through classroom experiences, clubs, and meaningful life discussions, I have watched him evolve into the successful young man he was always capable of becoming. It is an absolute honor to be chosen by Riley for this recognition.”
Trinity Christian School: Skylar McGibony, STAR Student; Donna McKenna, STAR Teacher
- She has been accepted to seven colleges during the early action period with scholarships, including the University of Alabama, Ole Miss, and the College of Charleston. She is awaiting regular decisions from three other universities: Auburn, the University of Georgia, and Florida State University.
- Plans to major in exercise science/kinesiology and pursue a career in either physical or occupational therapy.
- She chose her 12th-grade Honors Chemistry teacher, Donna McKenna, as her STAR teacher. This is the sixth time that Mrs. McKenna has been selected as a STAR teacher.
- Skylar said:
“Mrs. McKenna was one of the first science teachers who made me enjoy science. She is the best type of teacher because she can make a difficult subject fun and informational at the same time. She is one of the best people I know, and I’m so grateful to have had her as a teacher.” - Donna McKenna said:
“I was delighted to find that Skylar was the STAR student. She is the most serene student I have ever taught. She does her work with care and excels in all she attempts. She is well-rounded as a person and a delight to be around. I am honored to be her STAR teacher.”
Southeast Bulloch High School: Matilda Erney, STAR Student; Robin Norton, STAR Teacher
- She plans to attend Georgia College & State University and major in English with a literature concentration, and likely add an Art, History, Theater, and/or Psychology major or minor. She is interested in becoming a professor or a museum curator.
- She chose her 11th-grade Chemistry and Physics teacher, Robin Norton, as her STAR teacher.
- Matilda said:
“I thoroughly understood the material in her Chemistry and Physics classes, which I was unused to since science has always been a subject I’ve struggled to grasp. Her classes expanded my horizons and taught me how to work hard to understand concepts that I find challenging, and her care and support in and out of the classroom helped me grow not only as a student but as a person.” - Robin Norton said:
“A unique quality of Matilda Erney that sets her apart from her peers and has made her successful in her academic career is her deep passion for learning – everything. She gets excited about molecular geometry, vector diagrams, stoichiometry, and everything in between. Matilda is the student I wish I could teach over and over again. She brings a light and joy to the classroom that is not soon forgotten. I am honored to have walked alongside Matilda for a bit in her academic journey and proud to be able to pause and applaud her for who she is and what she has accomplished.”
A Commitment to Excellence
The STAR Recognition Luncheon, hosted annually, highlights not only the county’s brightest students but also the teachers who shape them into scholars and future leaders. The Statesboro Rotary Club and the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education continue to provide essential support to the program, ensuring that academic excellence and mentorship remain at the forefront of the community’s educational priorities.
With their win, Erin Shen and Richard McCombs now look forward to competing at the regional level, continuing the tradition of excellence that the STAR program represents.
For more information about the PAGE STAR Program, visit www.pageinc.org.