GREENSBORO, Ga. — Jewell Morrison of Lake Oconee Academy has been named as the Greene County 2025 PAGE STAR student for this academic year. She chose Dr. Beverly Montgomery as her STAR teacher.

Patricia Randolph, local sponsor representative for Greene County Schools PAGE District 4, announced the winner at a recent Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties weekly Club meeting. She earned the recognition for academic achievement and performance on the SAT.

Morrison is a senior at Lake Oconee Academy. She is an officer of Beta Club, a Student Government Association participant, and a Farmers and Merchants Bank Junior Board Member. She has received numerous awards for her academics, including the National Merit Commended Scholar Recognition and the UGA Certificate of Merit. Extracurricularly, Jewell enjoys baking, singing, and spending time with her friends. She is the drum major for the LOA’s marching band and the director of worship at First Baptist Church of Union Point. She considers her hardworking attitude to be her most valuable asset. She looks up to her mother, Karen Morrison, the most because of her patience and grace. After high school, she plans to attend a four-year college to major in computer science.

Dr. Beverly Cagle Montgomery is the high school director at Lake Oconee Academy. Although she doesn’t remember wanting to be a teacher as a child, all of her childhood Dr. Seuss books have class rosters in the fronts — with attendance and grades. It wasn’t until much later that she realized her calling was to teach. She’s an accomplished educator of 26 years with a wide range of teaching and leadership experience and has been Teacher of the Year three times, as well as a county top three finalist. Because these awards are typically chosen by colleagues, they mean a great deal to her.

“The kids are by far the best thing about being an educator. Obviously, school and the instruction that happens every day is important, but it’s the day-to-day interactions with the kids that foster a sense of belonging and build self-esteem. Every time I speak to a child, I have the power to make a difference — for the better, and I take that responsibility very seriously.”

Outside of school, most of her time is spent with her family, friends and whatever DIY project she is working on.

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 creation 67 years ago, the STAR program has honored nearly 30,000 students and the teachers they have 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% or

top 10 students of their class based on grade point average to qualify for STAR nomination. In conclusion, the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties is thrilled to celebrate Jewell Morrison for her outstanding achievement as the county’s PAGE STAR Student, as well as to honor Dr. Montgomery for her exceptional guidance and mentorship as Morrison’s STAR Teacher. Their dedication to excellence in education and their commitment to inspiring future leaders exemplify the values we hold dear. The Rotary Club extends heartfelt congratulations to both Morrison and Dr. Montgomery and looks forward to witnessing their continued success in the years to come.