Jackson Dowdy to represent county and TJA as STAR Student, Ryo Martin JCHS

Jackson Dowdy, son of Dalton and Amber Dowdy of Wrens, a senior at Thomas Jefferson Academy, has been named STAR Student for both TJA and Jefferson County.

While in school Dowdy has been a member of the tennis team, served as Beta Club President, served on the GIAA Student Advisory Board, participated in One Act Play as well as the Literary Competition team, served as TJA’s Student Government Association president and assisted with the Birthday Box Fundraiser.

“Growing up, I did not have strict expectation for how I should perform in school,” he said. “As a result, I developed my own intrinsic motivation to succeed academically, which I am extremely thankful to have.”

Dowdy chose his mother, Amber Dowdy, as his STAR teacher.

“She has been teaching me science for the past four years, but she has been teaching me for the past 18,” he said. “Although she is my mom, everyone she teachers has a genuine relationship with her and that is something I admire.”

Dowdy said that she is the person who made him who he is today and when he was told he received the STAR Student award, he immediately knew he would choose her as his STAR Teacher.

“She has always emphasized the importance of fun related to learning,” he said. “Her interactive curriculum her creativity in teaching, her infectious enthusiasm and her willingness to join in on the fun have shown me that education is not just about textbooks and exams, it’s about joy, discovery and forging unforgettable memories together.”

His mother called her son and student dedicated, a hard worker and diligent.

“He has handled things on his own since he was a little boy,” she said. “He just figured things out. He can make them work. He’s a worker and a fixer. If you give him a task he will 100 percent get it done.”

Outside of school he has worked as a legal assistant and freelanced in Graphic Arts and

Web Design, tutored and engaged in hours of volunteer work.

When asked who influenced him in school and helped him find his personal levels of success, Dowdy named a friend.

“School is important, but having fun is too,” he said. “Whether it is a trip to Augusta or going to get a milkshake at McDonalds, Lexie Howard is always there to take my mind off of school. Striking a healthy balance between work and life is key, and Lexie is the one who helps me the most in that aspect.”

Dowdy recommends other students looking to find new ways to succeed in school think of breaking his or her assignments up and doing something enjoyable in between, thereby reducing the chance for burn out.

“Most of my friends from larger counties are shocked when we start talking about our different educations,” Dowdy said. “While Jefferson County may be small in comparison, it provided me with the ability to form personal relationships with my teachers and the small classes undoubtedly helped me academically.”

This Fall he plans to enter the University of Georgia and double major in international business and finance.

Ryo Martin, the son of Eric and Fumiko Martin of Stapleton, will represent Jefferson County High School as its 2024 STAR Student.

In school he has been an active member of the Beta Club, Ocean Bowl and golf team.

Outside of school he has worked with Giesbrecht HVAC in marketing management.

"I recognize that success is not a solitary journey; It is a collaborative effort, and I am truly fortunate to be part of a community that values education, encourages growth, and celebrates achievement,” Martin said. “First and foremost, I want to express my deepest appreciation to my parents. (Their) unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in my potential have been the driving forces behind my accomplishments.”

He said that his parents and all of his teachers have been very supportive during his academic career, helping him through long study sessions and making the whole experience more enjoyable.

“At Jefferson County, I've learned that in pursuit of not just academic success, but any venture, we often encounter challenges and uncertainties. It is during these moments that the strength of a community shines the brightest,” Martin said. “With a college education, I want to pursue my passion, and in return, always champion the values of this community.”

Martin chose Timothy Fiocchi as his STAR Teacher.

"His class and teaching style are the immersive and effective ways of teaching teenagers,” Fiocchi said. “Everyone in his class learns the material while also not being bored to death.”

His STAR Teacher talked about Martin’s many wonderful characteristics, calling him humble, kind, respectful and calm.

"His diligence, intelligence and brilliance made him a positive participant and facilitated his significant success,” Fiocchi said. “I am proud to know I inspired Ryo. Ryo has inspired me as well."

Martin recommends other students who want to succeed take the initiative and act.

“Things won’t be handed to you in life. Take responsibility for everything,” he said. “Have a test tomorrow? Take a timer and set it for 1.5 hours. Study until the timer goes off. Rinse and repeat where in each increment you increase the length of the timer. Just find something, a method, that works for you.”

Over the last couple of years Martin has taken part in the dual enrollment program and completed 24 college credit hours at East Georgia College and Augusta University.

He has applied to Yale, Harvard and Georgia Tech. If accepted into one of the ivy league schools he plans to pursue his passion in business and marketing. If he attends Georgia Tech, he plans to explore his interests and passions for engineering.

The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program is sponsored, administered and promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the PAGE Foundation. The local sponsor for Jefferson County’s STAR Student is the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

High school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average to qualify for STAR nomination.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Jackson Dowdy to represent county as STAR Student, Ryo Martin JCHS