Chamber recognizes Jefferson County STAR students

Thomas Jefferson Academy senior Carson Davis, the son of Mark and Wendy Davis of Louisville, has been named Jefferson County’s PAGE STAR Student for 2023. Davis selected Jessica Palumbo, as his STAR teacher.

Both Davis, and Jacob Holt, Jefferson County High School’s STAR student, and their STAR teachers were recognized recently at a luncheon sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. STAR students have to be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average to be nominated and are chosen for this distinction as the student in their school system or county who have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT.

Palumbo said that while Davis’ work load has not been light, he never complains.

“In fact, he faces challenges as if they entertain him, which I think is a fantastic life skill,” Palumbo said, later adding, “In more than 13 years of teaching both college and high school English, I’ve met only a handful of students who are driven as hard as he is and his one of the most disciplined and self sufficient.”

Davis plays on the TJA Jaguar football and baseball teams and is active in One Act, the Key Club and Beta Club. Outside of school he is a member of Youth Leadership Jefferson County, an active member of Louisville United Methodist Church and serves as a Louisville United Church Youth Representative of Administrative Council.

Throughout his academic career he was encouraged by family and friends who he says provided what he needed to push him to succeed.

“My teachers and coaches at Thomas Jefferson Academy provided challenges for me to overcome so that I could grow to be a better student and person,” Davis said. “Without these people who support and influence me, my journey in academics would have been vastly different.”

Davis said he chose his English grammar, literature and writing teacher, Palumbo, as his STAR teacher because of the invaluable help she provided him throughout this high school career.

“Whether it be through academic classwork and assignments, reviewing an essay or helping with the college admissions process by writing letters of recommendation, Mrs. Palumbo continually supports me and her other students in a compassionate and meaningful way,” Davis said. “Mrs. Palumbo successfully instilled in me knowledge of English and grammar and made me into a better student and person.”

Palumbo said that Davis is committed to all aspects of life in his community.

“He is the student who volunteers first, shows up to do his best possible work every time and there is no question that he will follow through an any task,” she said. “All of these traits speak to his personal strengths, but also to the commitment of his parents who have instilled the best possible qualities in their son.”

Davis said that he would have any student who wants to succeed in academics and in life remember that no dream is unreachable and that hard work always pays off.

He plans on pursuing a career in biomedical engineering.

Jacob Holt, Jefferson County High School’s 2023 STAR student, is the son of Shane and Lydia Holt of Stapleton. Holt selected Jim Borum as his STAR teacher, from whom he took five classes during the last four years, including courses in plumbing, electrical and carpentry.

Holt said that Borum taught his about how the world works and provided him with skills that he can use in his daily life. In addition to how to work with his hands, he also taught him interpersonal skills, how to problem solve and the correct mindset of how to be successful.

“I chose him because he gave me skills that can truly be used to accomplish anything,” Holt said of Borum.

While in high school Holt has competed with the JCHS Skills USA and gold teams and been an active member of the Beta Club. Last year he won second in the state in the Skills USA plumbing competition and is a recipient of the UGA certificate of merit. Outside of school he enjoys attending church, golfing, farming and working on dirt bikes, four wheelers and other vehicles.

Borum called Holt the “definition of a STAR student” based on his academic performance, his leadership skills and his heart for serving others.

“One thing you know about Jacob, he’s going to work hard at it and give it his best shot,” Borum said. “I think his greatest strength is the love he has for people. He loves the Lord and he loves his fellow students. He’s constantly doing whatever he’s called to do, whether it is to help a classmate grasp a difficult concept or if a teacher needs something put together or installed. He’s fully involved.”

While at JCHS Holt said he learned a lot from and was encouraged by many of his teachers.

“I love Mr. (Timothy) Fiocchi’s fun-loving attitude toward everything he teaches and I think it is important to make what you learn fun. It helped show me that learning in the classroom really can be fun,” Holt said. “I also enjoyed taking Ms. (Becky) McCoy’s class. She is part of the reason I was able to do so well on the English portion of the SAT and she significantly improved my reading and writing skills.”

This fall he plans to attend Georgia Tech where he will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Chamber recognizes Jefferson County STAR students