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place of fun. It has felt like a community. One rooted in faith, purpose, and a commitment to helping students grow into what God has planned for them. Every moment here, from the classroom to the chapel services, to the small interactions in the hallways, has shaped me in ways I'll dream for a lifetime,” he explained.
Brantley continued, “I did not reach this point alone. Every teacher I've ever had over the past four years has played a role in shaping me. They challenged me academically, pushed me to think critically, and encouraged me to give my best effort, even when it wasn't easy. More importantly, they invested in me as a person and as a Christian. They believed in my potential, even at times when I struggled to see myself, and they never stopped encouraging me to grow. Their guidance has given me confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of my faith, and for that, I am truly grateful. Although some of those teachers are not here with us tonight, their lessons have stayed with me. I carry their influence into my daily life, and I know I will continue to rely on what they taught me as I move forward. Because of their dedication and support, I stand here today feeling prepared and confident as I begin the next chapter of my life.”
He told the audience that although he is undecided on where he will attend college, he intends for the next chapter in his life to be pursuit of a degree in economics on a pre-law track. “This path may not always be clear, and my plans may change along the way. However, no matter what the future holds, I am confident in my faith. I know that God has a plan for my life, and I trust that He is always in control, even when things do not go exactly how I plan,” he remarked.
Brantley then spoke about his STAR Teacher Daniel King, who although only having taught Brantley for one semester had the most impact on not only Brantley’s education, but his faith.
“Although I only had him from one class, biblical ethics, his influence on my life has been significant. His teaching helped shape my understanding of the Bible, how to approach difficult and complex topics, and how to live a life of faith in a meaningful way,” Brantley commented. “Through his guidance, I gained a stronger biblical worldview and a deeper understanding of how God's Word applies to everyday life. Coach King also helped guide me, and many others, to better understand Scripture and how we are called to use it. Not only to grow personally, but to love others as well. His impact has extended far beyond the classroom, and I am extremely grateful for the lessons he has instilled inside of me. They have encouraged me to be thoughtful, kind, and intentional in everything I do, and let my faith guide my decisions.”
He thanked Coach King, his teachers, family, and others who helped to support him during his time at the school. “This honor is truly a reflection of the people who have poured into my life, and I am incredibly thankful for each and every one of them. I will always carry their guidance, encouragement, and examples with me. As I step forward into the future, I do so with gratitude in my heart, faith in God's plan, and a commitment to live intentionally, love generously, and serve faithfully. I hope that I can use what I have learned here, not just to achieve success, but to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, just as so many have made a difference in mine,” Brantley concluded.
Vidalia Heritage Academy STAR Teacher Daniel King then took to the podium to speak to the audience. He explained that he has not been a teacher long and has experienced teaching mostly in informal setting, but had taught Brantley last Spring.
He explained that during the Biblical Ethics class, students were encouraged to think about why they believed what they believe, and then to evaluate that belief again spiritual truth.” Scripture is clear that pursuing truth leads to freedom. Pursuing truth leads to a better life, and ultimately, to Christ. And that is my main goal, whether I'm teaching English or Bible or coaching baseball or whatever else I may be doing. And that is our goal as a school,” King said.
King continued, “And I know it's the same for many of you to try to lead these young people to honor God with the way that they live, the way that they think. Brannen, I think, simplifies that very well. As a leader in multiple sports at the school, in community boards and councils; he's a presence in the hallways, in the classroom. He is an excellent young man, an excellent student. And at the end of the day, that's because God has given him this desire to evaluate the way he approaches life and be willing to look and see and change and grow. And that's what we're trying to do as educators. We want these young people to turn into older people who are great fellow citizens. And community leaders have a big impact on not only our lives in the future, but our children and their children and their children's children. Because that's what we're called to do, to make each other better, help each other grow.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that I’ve had to pour into Brannen – even if its just been for a little bit,” King concluded.
Vidalia High School
Vidalia High School STAR Student Justus Cole Gabbard was the last student honoree to be recognized, and began by sharing his admiration for the STAR program. “I'm so happy and proud to be a part of a program which doesn't only recognize high student success, but also the teachers who are responsible for making that success happen. I think that's just an awesome thing,” he said.
Gabbard spoke about his gratitude to his parents and younger sister, who have supported him in ways which he said he could not put into words. He also thanked his friends for their support, as some of them were attending the ceremony to celebrate the accomplishment with him.
He informed the audience that he loved movies because he enjoyed the experience. “When you walk into a movie, normally it's got a big lobby. It's got that colored carpet, sometimes green, sometimes blue. I love when it's red, because it makes me feel like an Alist actor stepping on that carpet. And I walk in, and the smell of popcorn immediately hits me. It doesn't matter if I'm 84, I'm hungry immediately. So I go and get some popcorn, and I put some of that liquid butter on it. I don't know how butter is liquid at room temperature, but I don't ask these questions. I just put it on there, and I walk into my theater. I sit in that seat, and I feel like a captain in that seat. And the surround sound just makes me feel immersed. It's a whole experience. I just love going to the movies,” he said.
Gabbard continued, “I've seen a lot of movies in my lifetime. I notice that there are certain character archetypes in those movies. It's not just a thing with movies. It's across all the literature that there are certain characters that have distinct roles. And you might know the protagonist, the good guy; the antagonist, the bad guy. But a lesser known one is called a confidant. And what a confidant does is, a confidant’s role is to support the protagonist, often considered an ally to the protagonist, whether that's giving advice, whether that's helping him along the plot, or even asking difficult questions which can reveal inner thoughts and motivations. I'm here to tell you today that my confidant is Miss Elissa Blount.”
He elaborated on Blount’s influence, saying, “She has always been there for me, given me support, given me advice. Even when I don't ask for it, she's always there. And she always asks the difficult questions that make me think eternally on what my future is and who I am as a person. I am just so glad that I had this opportunity to highlight one of the best teachers I'll ever have, Miss Elissa Blount.”
Blount responded to these remarks. “It's truly an honor to stand before you tonight recognizing senior and, of course, our exceptional Star Student of Vidalia High School, Justus Gabbard. I'm especially honored Justus chose me as Star Student, because teaching is not a role that I take lightly. I feel like it is a calling from God that has put me in this place at such a time as it is. For every student that comes through my door, I want them to know that they are seen, they are loved, and that they can do great things. And that is my goal as a teacher.”
She explained that she first met Gabbard when his family moved to the area from Kansas City, and his father became the pastor of Blount’s church. Through this connection, and Blount and her husband working with the church youth group, she had a “front-row seat” to watch Gabbard grow throughout the years.
“All of that gave us a front-row seat each night to watch Justus mature, not only physically, but spiritually. And over the years, I've seen him grow into a young man who loves the Lord and truly desires to follow his love. In the classroom, I had the opportunity to teach Justus just once. From day one, it was clear he was operating on a different level. He didn't just perform well. He made it look effortless. He would ace every test. And I'm like — there's no way. He’s smart – really smart,” she told the audience.
Blount said that she decided to make her tests more difficult in order to try to trick Gabbard up on a few questions, but never succeeded. To this day, Gabbard holds the record for the highest Biology score of any student Blount has ever taught.
“What impressed me wasn’t the fact that he scored so high, but again, the ease at which he works,” she added. “His intelligence is sharp, efficient, and natural. Yet, he's not most poor about it. He is a quiet course that is confident, capable, and steady. Academically, Justus is distinguished himself at the highest levels. He has maintained a 4.3 GPA, completed nine AP courses at our school, and he is an AP scholar with distinction because he's passed every exam on the AP for every course that he's taken. He ranks third in his class, which reflects his academic strength, but numbers alone do not capture who Justus is. What truly sets him apart is his leadership. He has a magnetic personality that draws others in.”
Blount continued, “He is creative, genuinely funny, and fearless when it comes to stepping into responsibility. He leads a fellowship of Christian athletes, guiding weekly events for residential school and high school students, and consistently invests in those who are around him. One of the most meaningful examples of his leadership is something he helped create that Justice mentioned earlier. Along with some friends who are here today, they have started a club that's called Youth Alive at our school, and they lead a weekly devotion for students that would like to show up at this club. This wasn't about recognition. It wasn't about resume. It was about impact. He saw a need, he stepped up, and he used his voice and faith to create a space for students to grow, connect, and be encouraged. Justice's leadership extends well beyond the classroom.”
She highlighted Gabbard’s other extracurricular and athletic activities, such as his involvement with Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), HOSA, and Whisper – and leadership efforts through organized American Red Cross blood drives and Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
“He is someone who commits more than 20 hours a week to athletics during the season. And this drive also carries him to his work life where he has two jobs. He serves as the team leader at Chick-fil-A and has completed multiple leadership training programs because that's what matters to him,” she remarked. “Tonight, as we honor Justus as a STAR student, we are recognizing far more than competitive academic achievement. We are celebrating a young man who embodies the very values that PAGE STAR Program represents — scholarship, leadership, integrity, and purpose.”
“As a STAR teacher, I can say with full confidence that Justus has already made a meaningful impact and his future is incredibly bright. Congratulations, Justus. You've lived a career very well. It has been an honor that I've been able to teach you, to know you, and to spend time with you,” Blount concluded.
About STAR
The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program is sponsored, administered, and promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the PAGE Foundation. Since its inception in 1958 the STAR program has honored nearly 29,500 students and the teachers selected as the most influential to their academic achievement. High school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average to qualify for STAR nomination.
STAR begins each year in participating Georgia high schools when the STAR Student is named and chooses a STAR Teacher to share in this recognition. The 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 the program.
