Named 2025 Star Student and Teacher For the last 60 years, the Mississippi Economic Council has been recognizing STAR Students and STAR Teachers across the state for their academic achievements. The Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition Program, which is not affiliated with the Accelerated Star Program that Cleveland School District had in the past, recognizes one student from each school in the state with the highest ACT scores and scholastic averages.  This year, Rachel Tibbs was recognized as the STAR Student and she chose her math teacher, Jonathan Marsden, as her STAR Teacher.  Rachel Tibbs, the daughter of Dr. Bob Tibbs and Shelley Scarborough Tibbs, was born and raised in Cleveland and most recently served as the valedictorian of her class.  While attending Cleveland Central, Tibbs was a member of Mu Alpha Theta, which is the competitive math team, as well as the National Honor Society and the Beta Club, where she served on the leadership committee. According to Tibbs, her cousin, Katie Waldbieser, was also in the running for the STAR Student spot because they both had a 35 (super score) on the ACT. Both Tibbs and Waldbieser were called to the office before Christmas so they could calculate their overall scholastic averages and determine who won. “Katie and I were tied,” said Tibbs. “The only reason I got it is because I was half a point higher than her in my GPA. I was really thankful for that. I was so excited to get valedictorian too, because I’ve wanted this since ninth grade.” Although no one outwardly pressured Tibbs to do so well academically, her older cousins have also been named valedictorian or STAR Students in the past. Their successes motivated her to excel in her academics throughout high school, so she could one day “add another smart Tibbs to the mix.” “I just wanted to do it for myself,” said Tibbs. “When I realized I got it, I was so excited.” In addition to her excitement, Tibbs began to wonder how she will replicate this level of academic involvement once she gets to college. Although it’s not a competition, Tibbs feels strongly about being the best at everything she sets her mind to.  “I’m very much a perfectionist,” said Tibbs. “Now it’s like I have even more pressure to still be this good in college. It’s very fulfilling, but I feel like it’s going to make me want to do more in the future.” Tibbs’s advice to other students who wish to succeed academically is to start early, make a plan, set goals, do your work with intention, and take advantage of extra credit opportunities. Tibbs is passionate about problem solving, teaching, and helping others. This fall, she plans to attend The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and will be majoring in business with a pre-dental concentration. She has received a few scholarships including one for being the STAR Student as well as an academic scholarship. Tibbs had previously considered becoming a math teacher, or following in her father’s