The STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) program is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators Foundation, the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the Trenton-Dade Optimist Club.

Each high school in Georgia that participates in the STAR program nominates an outstanding senior. This senior must have the highest score on the SAT and be in the top ten percent of his or her graduating class.

The student is then asked to choose a STAR teacher, one who has been an influence in his academic development. Justin has chosen Mr. Bill Emmett, a math teacher at the high school.

Justin has been accepted at Emory College and has been awarded a large four-year scholarship there. Justin is the son of Andrew and Linda Clayton and lives in the New Home community.

He attends New Home Baptist Church and has been active in the marching band and concert band, the math team, math honor society, Latin honor society, 4-H, and the Beta Club.

Bill Emmett has been teaching math at Dade County High School for 20 years, and has been chosen as STAR teacher several times. He is the chair of the math department and teaches Honors math and AP Calculus classes.