The STAR Student and STAR Teacher for Jones County High School were celebrated by the Kiwanis Club with an event that included a scholarship for the student and a check for the teacher. The Feb. 3 meeting was called to order by Darrell Partee, president of the Jones County Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanis Club has sponsored the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators since its inception in 1958.
Jones County’s 2025 STAR Student is Carsen Cruey. The STAR Student is the senior who scored the highest on the SAT and must be in the top 10 percent of their class. Carsen selected JCHS English and Drama teacher Sarah Weese as this year’s STAR Teacher.
Carsen is the daughter of Charles and Cynthianna Cruey of Gray and has an older brother, Charlie.
Partee introduced Carsen, and she talked about Weese.
“She’s been my teacher every year. Ms. Weese takes time to get to know and connects with students,” Carsen said.
Carsen continued to praise her teacher who has taught her drama class every year and this year also mythology.
Jones County won second place in the One Act play contest for the state. Carsen credits that achievement to Weese.
The STAR teacher was the next to speak. She started by thanking the Cruey family for their support.
“Teaching is a difficult profession and can take its toll,” she said. “Carsen and students like her literally brought me back. They are the ones I come back for.”
Weese thanked the STAR Student program for recognizing a very special student.
“I always knew she was smart, but I had no idea how smart,” the teacher said.
Weese said Carsen is the whole package and stands apart.
“She always has a smile on her face.”
Jones County Board of Education Superintendent Charles Lundy added comments.
“We enjoy celebrating students who make us proud, and we know Carsen will continue to do that,” he said.
Lundy also expressed his appreciation for the support of the Kiwanis Club.
JCHS Principal Dennis Woolfolk said support from the people of Jones County means more and more to him. He said he is very proud of Carsen and knows she will continue to do great things.
“Always know you have a family here in Jones County,” the principal said. “It’s the students who get us up and moving and get us through tough times.”
Woolfolk also thanked the Cruey family for their dedication and support.
In a follow up interview. Carsen spoke about her future plans to attend the University of Georgia. She said she was born in Baldwin County and moved to Jones County in her sophomore year.
Carsen is currently on the Art, Drama and American Sign Language pathways at JCHS. The student said she plans to major in political science in college and is most interested in local politics. She said her dad was involved in the community, and that inspired her interest.
Carsen said Weese was her first choice for STAR Teacher, and it was no surprise that her favorite subjects are drama and English.
“I enjoy being on stage, but it’s also fun to be behind the scenes,” she added.
Next steps
STAR students and their teachers are honored by their schools and receive special recognition in their communities from one of the more than 172 statewide civic organizations and businesses that serve as local sponsors of the STAR program.
Students then compete for school system recognition as the top STAR Student, and those winners compete for region honors. Region winners contend for the honor of being named State PAGE STAR Student. STAR Teachers continue on with their STAR Students at every level of theprogram.
