Cooper named CA STAR Student

By Courtney Warren

Canton Academy senior Carli Cooper was named STAR Student by the Mississippi Economic Council. The STAR Student program seeks to recognize students for academic and ACT test achievement. Students are awarded a certificate and medallion as recognition upon becoming a STAR Student.

“It was such an honor to be named STAR student, and I’m so thankful that I got to represent Canton Academy in such a big way,” said Cooper. “Mr. Smith has taught me for three consecutive years now, and I selected him as my STAR Teacher, because he has taught me so much, not only about science, but about the world and the many opportunities that are available to me once I graduate. His kindness and patience, especially with high school students, inspires me, and I couldn’t think of a more deserving teacher.”

“It was an honor to be chosen as the STAR Teacher by Carli. She is a wonderful student, and I’m proud of what she has achieved academically,” said CA Science Chair Garrett Smith. 

According to the Mississippi Economic Council, the STAR Student program does not directly award scholarships - any scholarship a student is granted is given through the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. or other outside organizations.

To be eligible for the STAR Student honor, a student may be a regularly enrolled senior or an approved dually enrolled student in an accredited public or private high school and/or an accredited post-secondary institution. The student must be completing his or her last year of work and must be eligible to receive a diploma in the current school year. The student must have an overall ACT composite score of at least 25 and an overall average of 93 or above in selected subjects in the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and first-semester twelfth grades.