Annual banquet for top high school seniors canceled, awards sent to schools for pick-up

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As plans for graduations ceremonies and celebrations all came to a nationwide halt due to COVID-19 lockdowns, so did St. Johns County’s annual STAR Awards Banquet that was to be held April 29 to honor top students in the county, and the teachers who inspired them.

“STAR stands for Students Taking Academic Responsibility,” said St. Johns County parent Cary Leinan. “It recognizes the top three percent of all graduating seniors in the community. During the recognition ceremony, each student will honor a special teacher who has impacted his or her school career.”

According to Leinan, Flagler Health, the banquet host, sent an email to the schools, notifying them of the cancellation with no plans to reschedule.

“They said to send awards to school and forward the email to all the students. We heard nothing from the county,” Leinan said.

Students were able to pick up the awards at the school.

And although they weren’t honored at an official banquet, students were recognized by their teachers and staff while picking up their caps and gowns before virtual graduation ceremonies began.

The STAR banquet honorees and teachers/mentors are below:

Margaret Bowers                     Mr. Consunji                           PVHS

Layla Christy                            Mrs. Robinson                       PVHS

Joseph DePorre                       Mrs. Betsy Vigil                      PVHS

Diana Feier                              Mr. Steve Lyons                     Nease

Sarah Fraga                             Dr. Kathryn Kehoe                 PVHS

John “Jay” Kirkley III                Mr. James Johnson                           PVHS

Brendan Koziarski                   Mrs. Meyer                            PVHS

Tyler Leinan                            Ms.Broughton-Gray               PVHS

Grace Littler                            Mr. David Richards                PVHS

Chase Magnano                    

Samantha Meyers                   Ms. Lee Gaul                         PVHS

Justin Ortiguera                      Mr. Sabado                            PVHS

Andrew Ouyang                      Mr. Steve Lyons                     Nease

Julianne Owen                        Mr. Michael Costello              PVHS

Sofia Ramirez                         Dr. Arleen Chiclana               PVHS

Kyle Reinheimer                    

Aiden Stavros                          Mr. Hillier                                PVHS

Peyton Thompson                   Mrs. Katie Conklin                 PVHS

Victoria Wendell                      Ms. Lee Gaul                         PVHS

Paul Wilson                             Kathryn Chandler                   PVHS