From left, are Jenkins County High School’s STAR student Rachel Welch and Marsha Madray, STAR teacher. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett) The “STARS” are shining brightly at Jenkins County High School (JCHS) this week. Rachel Ellen Welch, daughter of Ron and Tina Welch, has been named STAR student, and she has chosen Marsha Madray, an anatomy and physiology teacher at JCHS, as her STAR teacher.

To obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the three-part SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average.

Rachel’s academic accolades are numerous and include being a Rotary scholastic achievement award recipient, a Washington Youth Tour participant and scholarship winner. She is an active member of West Millen Baptist Church where she participates in youth, choir and drama activities. Rachel’s community involvement includes overseas mission work. Her hobbies include singing, reading, piano and creative writing. She plans to attend Georgia Southern University upon graduation from JCHS.

In commenting on her choice of Mrs. Madray as her STAR teacher, Rachel said, “In the short time I have known Mrs. Madray, she has displayed a great deal of compassion for her students. She makes her class both interesting and informative.”

Mrs. Madray has been employed in the teaching profession 29 years, 14 in the Jenkins County school system. She was previously named STAR teacher in 2007 and has been named Teacher of the Year three times, earning the system-wide Teacher of the Year designation once. She annually sponsors a blood drive at JCHS.

She holds a bachelor of science degree in Health and Physical Education and Driver’s Education from the University of Georgia (UGA), graduating magna cum laude. She also holds a master’s of education degree from UGA, graduating magna cum laude, and a masters’ of education post graduate degree in Biology, graduating summa cum laude. She is an active member of Dry Branch Baptist Church. She is married to Wendell Madray, and they have two sons and three grandchildren.

“Rachel is an excellent student who goes beyond what is required and expected of her. She works in a soft, quiet manner, but the results speak volumes. She has made an impact on students, faculty and community through her participating in classes, clubs and church involvement, especially her missionary work,” commented Mrs. Madray.

The STAR program is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educations (PAGE) Foundation, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Education. Since its inception, the STAR program has honored more than 21,500 students and teachers they have selected as having had the most influence on their academic success.

[Editor’s Note – See related story on page 2.]