Abby Horton credits her academic success to hard work and keeping an open mind.
Named the Oglethorpe County High School 2025 STAR Student on Feb. 14, Horton said her willingness to embrace new perspectives and challenges has helped her grow.
“The award itself is not what I'm proud of,” Horton said. “It's all the work that I put in to get the award.”
The OCHS senior started Oglethorpe Gives Back in 2024, a nonprofit dedicated to recognizing unsung workers throughout Oglethorpe County. She’s also a member of the National Honor Society, HOSA, the vice president for Beta Club and “loves” to volunteer.
Horton hopes to attend the University of Georgia and later go to medical school.
“I’m just wanting to give a thank you to all the people who’ve worked very hard in our community that don’t necessarily get the recognition that they deserve,” Horton said in previous reporting.
Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) is for Georgia high school seniors who are in the top 10% of their class by GPA and score the highest on the SAT until November of their senior year. The program has recognized more than 30,000 students since its inception in 1958 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
STAR students are also invited to name their STAR teachers, who have been valuable to their academic development.
Horton selected Jennifer Yauck, who was Horton’s ninth-grade honors biology teacher and 12th-grade AP biology teacher.
“What I love about her is just the fact that she truly loves her job,” Horton said. “Mrs. Yauck is coming into the school on weekends to prepare our labs for us. She takes her own free time to make our class experience better and get us as prepared as possible.”
February Rotary Students Jaxon Austin (OCES), Bessie Kate Musimbi (OCMS) and Kaitlyn Watkins (OCHS) were also recognized.