Cornerstone Prep Announces 2026 STAR Student and Teacher

Cornerstone Prep is proud to announce its 2026 STAR student, Henry Ahrens of Acworth. Henry nominated Scott Edmondson, Faculty and Administrator, as his STAR teacher.
 

Henry has been a student at Cornerstone for eight years. His involvement at Cornerstone includes Mighty Men Bible Study, Beta Club, Varsity Tennis, and Cross Country Varsity Co-Captain. Outside of school, he is an avid year-round runner and tennis player.

When asked why he chose Mr. Edmondson as his STAR teacher, Henry said, “I have known Mr. Edmondson since joining Cornerstone in the 5th grade. I am thankful for how he has poured into me throughout high school between classes, clubs, breakout chapels, an internship, and free-to-read groups. He is wise, straightforward, pragmatic, and has a fabulous sense of humor. I admire the Godly example that he sets.”

Mr. Edmondson has been teaching at Cornerstone for twelve years, and he is honored to be chosen as Cornerstone Prep's STAR teacher.

“I was stunned to be chosen and am truly honored that Henry chose me as his 2026 STAR Teacher. I first had Henry in one of my classes as a fifth-grade student when he took elementary Introduction to Chess. Later in high school, it was my privilege to teach Henry as both an underclassman and an upperclassman. In 9th grade, Henry was in my Humanities class, where he excelled as a student and peer of his classmates. Two years later, he was in my AP US History class, where he again displayed excellent scholarship and a dedication to his studies,” said Mr. Edmondson. 

“Henry is obviously an excellent student, “ Edmondson continued. “He also exhibits maturity beyond his years and a true servant heart. He is extremely respectful and always sets an excellent example for his peers and younger students to follow. I am always impressed by his character and steady, calm leadership as a student.”  

The STAR Program

The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition, STAR, program honors Georgia's highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development. Since its creation in 1958 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the STAR Program has honored nearly 29,000 high school seniors who have in turn chosen their STAR Teachers to share in this recognition. Every accredited high school in Georgia is eligible to participate in this preeminent student/teacher academic recognition. 
To obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on any single test date of the SAT taken through the November test date of their senior year and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average. Nominees’ SAT scores must be equal to or higher than the SAT National Average scores on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing and Math sections.