Out of This World STAR Student and STAR Teacher

This past week, WGHS twelfth-grader, Braylon Clower, and teacher John Belflower, received the star student and star teacher awards. These individuals show the “Warrior Way” daily with no fail. 
by Emma Dickens and Ansleigh Hester

What are the STAR Student and STAR Teacher Awards? 
A Star Student is chosen by their SAT score and their GPA. Mr. Belflower describes Clower in just a few words. “He earned [the] Star Student [award] through natural talents/abilities, a strong work ethic, and humility,” he explains. However, the Star Teacher is chosen by the selected star student. “I chose Mr. Belflower as my Star Teacher because he always found a way to make class fun and to connect with his students,” Braylon says. 

Star Student: Braylon Clower 
Braylon believes that his hard work is the reason that he won this award. “I always work hard in class, and I also make sure that I do everything to the best of my ability,” he states. When first hearing the news about winning the award, he was surprised. “I was also excited because the award is a huge honor,” Braylon voices. 

If he were to advise others who want to achieve this award, he would tell, “I would tell others who want to win the award that you must be dedicated to your work.” 

All of the strenuous work he has put in the last four years has paid off tremendously. 

Star Teacher: John Belflower 
John Belflower, a history teacher, won the Star Teacher Award. He's been working at WGHS for 14 years and has diligently worked through many trials to earn this award. Mr. Belflower likes to communicate with his students and let them be independent individuals. He goes above and beyond for his students. His main goal is to help them understand the material he presents and help them when he is needed. Mr. Belflower says, “I mix current events, personalizing history with anecdotes, stirs in philosophy, art, literature, music, and spicing it up with drama and high-class humor.”

Mr. Belflower shares his comedic side with all of his students, which makes him very likable. He carried much gratitude while receiving this award. He includes some advice for teachers who might want the star teacher award, “Use the rule of three (being intentional about the three victories that a person wants to accomplish) and leave them wanting more not less. Let go. Live and learn.”
 
The Star Award Overall 
Both Braylon and Mr. Belflower have an opinion of what the award means to them. “The Star Student Award means a great deal to me. I think the Award is a testament to my dedication and diligence,” Braylon comments. “...I would hope it means students appreciate the challenge of authentic academic rigor,” Mr. Belflower concludes.

The award (for both Braylon and Mr. Belflower) shows their academic triumphs. ​