In addition to the previously announced STAR Student, Ella Blakeborough, a tie has been identified by Richmond Hill High School. 

The Richmond Hill Lions Club is proud to announce that Joanna Xiao tied with Ella for the honor. Joanna, who is also a Bryan County School System winner, will compete later in March with other school system winners for Region Recognition. Joanna is the daughter of Jun Huang and Hua Xiao. She earned the recognition for academic achievement and performance on the SAT. Valeri Orloff, AP Psychology and World History (Honors) teacher at Richmond Hill High School, was selected by Joanna as her STAR Teacher. 

To obtain the 2024 STAR nomination, graduating 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. The Richmond Hill Lions Club, local STAR program sponsor, has presented $1,000 scholarships to each of the STAR students, Ella Blakeborough and Joanna Xiao.