Oxford High School Honors STAR Students and Teachers at March Recognition Event

Oxford High School announced and celebrated STAR students and the teachers they nominated at a recognition posted March 4, 2026, highlighting academic achievement and encouraging community congratulations for the honorees. The school’s March 4 release framed the event as part of ongoing efforts to spotlight top performers at Oxford High.

The STAR program - Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition - honors seniors who have the highest ACT score at each school, and any student with a composite ACT score of 35 or above receives a nomination. Once selected, a STAR student names a STAR Teacher "based on the person who has made the greatest contribution to the student’s scholastic achievement," and the Mississippi Economic Council will honor STAR students and teachers at its spring Education Celebration, providing certificates and making students eligible for MEC scholarships.

Details about the 2026 cohort remain limited in the March 4 release; a HottyToddy.com post and an Oxford School District social-media snippet indicate five Oxford High seniors were named STAR students and state that those students “have scored 35 on their composite ACT score.” Those summaries are attributed to district material, but the language in the HottyToddy snippet leaves unclear whether each student scored exactly 35 or 35 and above; the district typically determines score disclosure under privacy rules.

Historical context shows the number of STAR honorees can vary by year. In 2019, Oxford High recognized eight STAR students: Siena Cizdziel, Jackson Dear, Marawan Elgohry, Eve Gershon, Bozidar-Brannan Kovachev, John Allen Ligon, Gillian Meyers and Sydney Rester. The 2019 cohort scored 35 or above on the ACT, with three students achieving a perfect 36, and each student nominated a teacher; the 2019 teacher nominees included Chris Baughman, Sommer Husbands, Nicole Roberson, Diala Chaney, Stella Lindsey, Sugi Wiltcher, Rose Nash and Stefanie Beam. The 2019 coverage also noted college plans for some honorees: Sydney Rester and Jackson Dear listed the University of Mississippi among their desired fall destinations, and Marawan Elgohry planned to attend Emory University to major in economic statistics.

Oxford School District information connects STAR recognition to the district’s broader academic profile. The district announced in 2025 that Oxford High earned a Bronze distinction on the AP School Honor Roll for a third consecutive year, with Chief Academic Officer Marni Herrington saying, “Being named to the AP School Honor Roll for the third consecutive year is a tremendous honor for Oxford High School. This recognition reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers, and our district’s commitment to expanding opportunities that prepare students for college and beyond.” District staff profiles also note that Keith Scruggs was named a 2022 STAR Teacher at Oxford High School and that staff such as Ben Logan and LaNatra Pegues hold specific teaching roles and credentials within the district.

The STAR recognition posted March 4 underscores Oxford High’s emphasis on college readiness amid the school’s AP Honor Roll standing and the district’s stated commitment to opportunities that prepare students for postsecondary study. The Mississippi Economic Council’s spring Education Celebration will provide certificates and potential scholarships to STAR students and their nominated teachers.