The Clarke County School District is pleased to announce its 2025-26 STAR students: Olivia Bergman from Clarke Central High School and Christopher Koch from Cedar Shoals High School. 

The STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program, created in 1958 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and now sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), recognizes the senior at each high school with the highest SAT score on any single test date who is also in the top 10% of their class based on grade-point average. 

Every STAR Student also names a STAR Teacher who has influenced them in their academic pursuits. Olivia chose Clarke Central science teacher Scott Swain as her STAR Teacher, while Christopher selected Cedar Shoals English teacher Tara Stuart.

The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the local STAR awards and will honor Olivia and Christopher, along with the STAR students from Athens Christian School and Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School, on Feb. 23 at a luncheon hosted by the Classic City Rotary Club. At that event, the chamber will announce the Clarke County “system” winner for all public and private schools in the county who will advance to the PAGE Region 4 competition. 

“We are so proud of Olivia and Christopher and are thrilled to celebrate the hard work and dedication that led to this accomplishment,” said Dr. Jennifer Scott, Interim Superintendent. “The STAR student recognition is particularly meaningful because it acknowledges the role of teachers in each student’s educational journey. We are grateful for Mr. Swain and Ms. Stuart who come to school every day dedicated to making a difference in the lives of their students, our district, and our community.”

About Olivia Bergman

Olivia Bergman is ranked near the top of more than 430 students in Clarke Central’s 2026 senior class and is dual-enrolled at the University of Georgia and in the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Distance Math Program. She has placed in the top 10 in Georgia Tech’s math competition and 11th in UGA’s math competition and has complemented her academic pursuits by running cross-country, earning the “Most Improved” award for the Gladiators. She is also captain of the Clarke Central chess team that has won the local Chess and Community tournament each of the last two years. 

Olivia said she was grateful for the opportunity to recognize Mr. Swain as a teacher who has made a difference in her life. 

“When I took AP Physics with Mr. Swain, he was supportive and cared about my future,” Olivia said. “Not only did he teach me a subject I found fascinating, but he went above and beyond in giving me the skills I needed to succeed in dual enrollment and in college after high school. I’m grateful for the time I spent with Mr. Swain and the kindness he has shown me.”

This is Mr. Swain’s second consecutive year being selected as a STAR teacher at Clarke Central. 

“It has been great seeing first-hand the level of brilliance Olivia demonstrated in my AP Physics class, not only on tests but in the lab setting as well,” said Mr. Swain. “I have also appreciated how Olivia had a positive impact on the learning environment of my classroom, which was contagious to the other students.”

Mr. Swain also noted many comments from Olivia’s classmates who described her as “incredibly welcoming and kind,” “always willing to lend a hand,” and “hardworking, passionate, and one of the most brilliant friends you could ever have.”

Olivia plans to study English and mathematics in college. She has been accepted to the University of Toronto and UGA’s Honors College and is currently awaiting admission decisions from other universities. 

About Christopher Koch

Christopher Koch currently ranks at the top of Cedar Shoals’ 2026 senior class of more than 300 students and is a standout student-athlete. He is captain of the Aqua Jags swim team and, as a sophomore, won the GHSA Class 4A boys’ 500-yard freestyle state title. He has also won multiple second- and third-place medals at the state level and most recently finished second in the 200-yard individual medley and third in the 100-yard breaststroke during the state championship meet earlier this month. 

Christopher is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a member of the National Honor Society. He also serves as treasurer of the Cedar Shoals Beta Club. He plans to attend Georgia Tech and major in mechanical engineering and has also signed a letter of intent to continue his swim career with the Yellow Jackets. 

"It means a lot to me to win STAR student because it helps me realize what all the hard work I have put in has led to, but I believe that this award helps recognize some of the amazing teachers at Cedar like Ms. Stuart,” he said. “She has a passion for helping students learn while also motivating and encouraging her students to do great outside of school, whether it is reading more or competing in sports."

Ms. Stuart described Christopher as “the kind of student every teacher dreams of” and who “brings a rare combination of sweetness, sincerity, and quiet determination to everything he does.” 

“He learns with genuine joy, shows up fully in every moment, and never takes shortcuts,” she said. “He is also the kind of person who naturally draws others into his orbit. He consistently encourages his classmates, invites quieter students into the discussion, and genuinely wants everyone around him to do well. Whether he is in the classroom or in the pool, he pours his whole heart into the work with a calm, centered focus that feels far beyond his years. His positivity is steady, his dedication is inspiring, and his kindness is constant. Being chosen as his STAR teacher means the world because he is the type of person who sees the good in everything and doesn’t like to pick favorites. I feel lucky to know him, honored to celebrate him, and deeply hopeful for the future knowing students like Chris will help shape it.”