THOMASVILLE- Thomasville High School Scholar’s Academy senior Evan Ariail has been named the 2024 STAR Student after achieving a perfect 36 on the ACT over the summer, selecting Charlie Gammel as his STAR Teacher.
The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) is sponsored, administered, and promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and recognizes high school seniors who have the highest score on a single test date and are in the top 10 percent or top 10 students in the graduating class based on grade point average.
Ariail worked long and hard to achieve the superscore, taking Khan Academy SAT prep classes, and studying diligently every day.
Now that he has been named the STAR Student, he said he thinks all the hard work was worth it.
While Ariail worked tirelessly outside the classroom, he admitted the classes offered at Scholar’s Academy also played a large role in his study habits and vast knowledge of different subjects.
Ariail was a student in Gammel’s Latin class from 6-12th grade. Despite the dead language not being on any standardized test, Ariail insists the class provided him with lessons that could not be learned elsewhere.
“He’s taught me a lot of Latin, but it’s been a journey,” Ariail said. “We’ve been to Louisiana for Nationals, we’ve been to Rome and all parts of Italy and across the United States to see different museums.”
Ariail said the opportunity Gammel has provided him with has taught him more than just Latin, as he feels he has grown up in the class.
“I’ve learned how to express what I care about and be a fuller person,” Ariail said.
Ariail has long had an affinity for academics and being able to express his interest in various subjects through the STAR Student program brings him a sense of joy.
“It feels really good and it’s something I’ve really wanted and finally getting it is so exciting,” he said.
With all eyes on him, Ariail now looks forward to finalizing his college decision. He has narrowed down his choices to Auburn, the University of Georgia, and Georgia Tech. However, he said he is leaning toward Georgia Tech to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering.
While being named STAR Student will no longer help him with any college applications, Ariail is hopeful it will help him stand out among other students applying for scholarships.
With an unweighted GPA of 4.0 and a rank of number one in his class of 160, Ariail is the prime candidate for a scholarship to help him further his education at a higher level.
Ariail concluded by thanking all of the teachers who have helped him not only achieve the status of STAR student but also grow as a person.
“A lot of the teachers, including Mr. Gammel don’t just teach you the things that are on the agenda,” he said. “They teach you life skills.”
Ariail specifically thanked his orchestra teacher who has helped him develop people skills and arranged gigs for him to play in front of an audience.
“It’s not just Math, Latin, or music, they really help you as a person,” he said.
He additionally thanked his parents, who have always believed and supported him in his endeavors.
With a whole team of supporters behind him, Ariail will now compete for the title of state STAR Student and Teacher.