Sylvia Chen has been named STAR Student for the 2023-2024 school year by the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program. Established by the Mississippi Economic Council in 1965, the purpose of the STAR program is to recognize outstanding students & teachers in Mississippi through its Education Celebration.
The New Albany High School senior was honored during the annual Education Celebration held on April 4, 2024, at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl, MS. The theme for the event was “Pathways to Success” and this year marked the 59th Anniversary of the STAR program.
Chen will be listed with the 2024 STAR Students and STAR Teachers.
Star Students are selected on the basis of academic excellence. Both American College Test scores and scholastic averages are compared to determine the school’s STAR Student, explained Vickie Powell of Jackson, Senior Vice President of Foundations. “The STAR program encourages and promotes academic achievement among Mississippi’s high school seniors,” she stated.
Chen is an IMPACTO completer and a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America, Anchor Club, and the ACT 30+ Club. She participated in the Union County Leadership Academy and has served as a Vision Mentor.
The STAR program encourages and promotes academic achievement among Mississippi’s high school seniors. Each STAR Student is asked to designate a STAR Teacher, the teacher who has made the greatest contribution to the student’s scholastic achievement.
Chen chose Emily Murff as her STAR Teacher. Murff teaches art at New Albany High School.