 Fifty-eight of St. Johns County Schools' best and brightest were honored at the Fourteenth Annual STAR (Students Taking Academic Responsibility) Awards Banquet held Monday, May 11, 2009 at the World Golf Village.
The STAR Awards recognize the top three percent of all graduating seniors in the county. Nineteen students from Bartram Trail High School (BTHS), 10 from Pedro Menendez High School (PMHS), 14 from Nease High School (NHS), 12 from St. Augustine High School (SAHS), and three from St. Joseph Academy received commendation for their outstanding academic performance.
Click here to view all photos from the 2009 STAR Awards Banquet.
 During the recognition ceremony principals introduced each student and then a special teacher selected by the student. The STAR students shared their future plans and why they selected the teacher they chose to honor. In addition to making top grades, these students are involved in athletics, performing groups, school clubs and community service.
Cynthia Morrison (top left - far left), a language arts teacher at PMHS, has been selected by a student the past 12 years. Several others have been selected numerous times by different students.
 One STAR teacher, Brian Braddock (bottom left - far left) who currently teaches science and statistics at SAHS, was also honored ten years ago as a STAR student from SAHS.
"In 1991 I was fortunate enough to be a STAR student, and Terry Sapp was the teacher/coach I invited to the banquet," said Mr. Braddock. "He and Jeff Holt, a social studies teacher I had at Murray Middle School, are big reasons why I wanted to be a teacher."
John Birney, Vice President of Investments for First Coast Financial Advisors, served as emcee. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Joyner and School Board Members were also in attendance.
Savings bonds were presented to a senior at each school. They were donated by the Bank of St. Augustine, Community First Credit Union, First Federal Bank of North Florida, Peoples First Community Bank and Prosperity Bank.
The annual event is a program of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce's Business Partners In Education Committee in partnership with Flagler College; Flagler Hospital; VIP Presentation Products; Bank of St. Augustine; Citi; PGA Tour; St. Augustine & St. Johns County Airport Authority; Upchurch Bailey & Upchurch. Atty.; Wayne Hogan of Terrell Hogan, P.A.; Beacher's Lodge; Burkhardt Sales and Service; England, Thims & Miller; Florida Capital Bank; Kuhn Florist; Pappas, Metcalf, Jenks & Miller; Putnam State Bank; and St. Augustine Alligator Farm.
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