Decatur Rotary Club Hosts Dekalb County 2025 PAGE STAR AWARD WINNERS

For Release

February 18, 2025

Decatur Rotary Club Hosts Dekalb County 2025 PAGE STAR AWARD WINNERS

Decatur Rotary Club and the PAGE (Professional Association of Georgia Educators) recognized the top students and teachers of Dekalb County by hosting the STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) awards at the Historic Dekalb Courthouse.

Decatur, Georgia—Historic Dekalb Courthouse, February 7, 2025: The Rotary Club of Decatur, GA welcomed the top students and teachers of Dekalb County to the Historic Dekalb County Courthouse for a festive awards event.

Over lunch and congratulations by dignitaries such as Andrea Arnold, Decatur City Manager, the students and teachers received their STAR certificates and Chick-fil-A gift certificates, and each high school winner had their pictures taken. Honored guests included Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, Superintendent of Decatur City Schools, Dr. Devon Horton, Superintendent of Dekalb County Schools, and many school board members from Decatur and Dekalb.

Each student was given a few moments to thank their STAR teachers, whom they nominated for impacting their education and lives. They also told the large crowd about their next steps as students and what they enjoy doing when not studying.

Several students and teachers were ‘System STAR Students’ who now go on to compete for region-wide honors within the 12 STAR Regions. They are:

• Chamblee Charter High School - STAR Student: Katherine Amelia Tanzola, Star Teacher: Mrs. Colleen Marin-Mendoza
• Decatur High School: Star Student: Renato Dell’Osso IV, Star Teacher: Mr. David Custer
• Marist School – Star Student: Jonathan Lee, Star teacher: Dr. Isaac Gitonga

“The Decatur Rotary Club is honored to host this fantastic event to honor students and teachers. We are all uplifted and encouraged to see and hear from some of the brightest students in our community and recognize the work of the fantastic teachers who inspire these students. Since 1938, Decatur Rotary has worked hard to promote literacy and advocate for the Decatur community.” said Decatur Rotary President, Mr. Dudley Larus.

About the PAGE STAR Program

The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Georgia’s highest achieving high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development. Since its creation in 1958 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program has honored nearly 29,000 students, who have in turn chosen their STAR Teachers to share in this recognition.

About the Rotary Club of Decatur, GA

The Rotary Club of Decatur has grown from its humble origins in 1938 with its original membership of 19 members to over 100 today. Decatur Rotary is a diverse group of business, community, and local government leaders. Inclusion and diversity are at the core of the Decatur Rotary Club. The Club meets in the historic Decatur Courthouse which is home to the Dekalb History Center. Decatur Rotarians gather each Friday at 12:15 PM.

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www.decaturrotaryga.org

For More Information:

Art Rosser, Rotary Club of Decatur Public Image Chair, art@arfsg.com