Olive Branch High

To be one of the top 20 students in Mississippi is a distinguished honor.

Two DeSoto County Schools students have made this list and both are students at Olive Branch High School. Recognized by the Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition program are Charlie Tran, with a perfect ACT score of 36, and Hadley Pearson, with an ACT score of 35.

The top 20 STAR Students -- the ALL-STAR Scholars -- and their STAR Teachers were awarded scholarships from the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation through the Mississippi Economic Council.

DeSoto County Schools sent an impressive delegation of students and teachers to the statewide "Education Celebration" in Jackson, Miss., where 500 of Mississippi's brightest young minds were recognized.

For the first time in the history of DeSoto County Schools, STAR Students at seven high schools with graduating classes all scored 30 or above on their ACT exams.

STAR is a statewide program that recognizes senior high students who have the highest ACT scores and scholastic averages, as well as the classroom teachers who have been most influential for these students' academic success.

A STAR Student picks his or her STAR Teacher.

Interestingly, a majority of the STAR Teachers selected this year teach extra-curricular subjects such as band, chorus, art and robotics, showing the importance of providing classes that inspire and challenge the most gifted students in the district.