STAR Students and Teachers Honored at Albany Luncheon

Annual program recognizes top academic achievers in Dougherty County

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition) program on Friday, honoring the top-scoring students on the SAT from six local high schools and the teachers they selected as inspirations. Deerfield-Windsor School senior Alyia Nurbhai was named the 2026 Dougherty County STAR Student and will advance to the regional competition.

Why it matters

The STAR program celebrates academic excellence in the community and aims to encourage top students to return to Albany after college to share their talents. It's an important event that highlights the achievements of local youth and the educators who have supported them.

The details

Each of the six STAR students gave remarks about their future plans and introduced the teacher they selected as an inspiration during their academic journeys. Nurbhai, who plans to major in computer science, chose her teacher Jessica Carr. The other STAR students and teachers recognized were: Brody Thomas Brown and Dawne Beck (Sherwood Christian Academy), Treasure W. Olabisi-Ojo and Ashley Reynolds (Byne Christian School), Kate Orme and Angela Warren (Westover High School), Lauren Aaliyah Salter and Derrick Battle (Dougherty High School), and Kendall Benjamin Tyler Trent and Lawrence Green (Monroe High School).

  • The annual STAR Student recognition program was held on Friday, February 15, 2026.
  • The regional STAR competition that Nurbhai will advance to is scheduled for March 2026.

The players

Alyia Nurbhai

The 2026 Dougherty County STAR Student from Deerfield-Windsor School who plans to major in computer science.

Jessica Carr

The STAR Teacher selected by Alyia Nurbhai.

Matt Reed

The interim President and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.

Kendall Benjamin Tyler Trent

The STAR Student from Monroe High School who plans to pursue studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology to become a chemical engineer.

Lawrence Green

The STAR Teacher selected by Kendall Benjamin Tyler Trent.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very grateful definitely for this opportunity to be recognized. I'm very glad I was able to recognize her (Carr) as a STAR Teacher. She has always been so understanding of all her students.”

— Alyia Nurbhai (The Albany Herald)

“She's super communicative and she listens to every word you say. She seeks out opportunities to do things on her own.”

— Jessica Carr, STAR Teacher (The Albany Herald)

“He's always challenging the narrative. He's just a great young man. I appreciate him for this honor, choosing me.”

— Lawrence Green, STAR Teacher (The Albany Herald)

What’s next

Alyia Nurbhai will represent Dougherty County at the Regional STAR competition in March 2026.

The takeaway

The STAR program celebrates academic excellence in Dougherty County and aims to inspire top students to return to Albany after college to share their talents with the community. It's an important event that highlights the achievements of local youth and the educators who have supported them.