Meet our Star Teachers and Star Students for 2026

Ceremony honors Star Teachers and Star Students in the Class of 2026

The Star Teacher-Student Awards ceremony for the Class of 2026 was held on Tuesday, March 31 at the Gaston Early College High School.  The recognition program was presented by Gaston County Schools and sponsored by GSM Services.

Each high school had the opportunity to choose an outstanding senior in the Class of 2026 as the school’s Star Student.  During the ceremony, the Star Student honored the Star Teacher who had a significant influence on the student’s educational career.

Below are the Star Teacher-Student Awards honorees:

Ashbrook High School
Star Teacher Jesse Birnstihl selected by Star Student Tupelo Guzauskas

Sitting through English class was never thought of as a fun experience for Star Student Tupelo Guzauskas, but that changed when she met her Star Teacher Jesse Birnstihl. Guzauskas came into Birnstihl’s class as someone who was insecure about her writing, but was grateful for the guidance she received from him throughout the class. But that wasn’t the only lesson she took away from Birnstihl’s AP English class. “Mr. B is the kind of teacher you experience after years of boring teachers who never seem to care – someone who completely changes the way you see a subject that you once hated.”

Guzauskas plans to attend North Carolina State University to major in exercise science.

Bessemer City High School 
Star Teacher Maxwell Baidoo selected by Star Student Nicole Cisneros Saldana

There is one lesson that Star Student Nicole Cisneros Saldana has learned from her Star Teacher, Maxwell Baidoo – keep moving forward.  As a math teacher, Baidoo teaches his students how important it is to keep working, to understand the material, and to be the best version of themselves. Cisneros Saldana says, “Mr. Baidoo has been a true inspiration in my life and has encouraged me to keep going, even when things are difficult. He has taught me that it is okay to try, even if I get it wrong, and to “lock in” and keep trying again until I understand.”

Cisneros Saldana plans to attend Gaston College to pursue a degree in business administration.

Cherryville High School 
Star Teacher Jessica Ruiz selected by Star Student Cameryn Bell

According to Star Student Cameryn Bell, her Star Teacher Jessica Ruiz provides a safe haven for students in her classroom, going far beyond her duties as an English teacher to help her students. “She has been a confidant for me in some of my most vulnerable times, encouraging a supportive environment, and facilitating growth in English and as a person.” In addition to making English interesting, Bell adds that she will always cherish her high school memories with Ms. Ruiz, laughing and sharing in discussions with her.  

Bell plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to major in nursing and hopes to become a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant.

Stuart W. Cramer High School 
Star Teacher Christy Huffstetler selected by Star Student Addison Royall

Sometimes the teachers who impact you most are teachers who helped you grow in your childhood. This is certainly true of Stuart W. Cramer Star Student Addison Royall and her Star Teacher Christy Huffstetler. Now retired, Huffstetler taught for 23 years at Ida Rankin Elementary School, where Royall had her as a second-grade teacher. Huffstetler left a lasting impact, as Royall said, “A teacher like Ms. Huffstetler changes lives in ways that no test or assignment could ever reflect.” Royall also says that Huffstetler displayed what character looked like to each of her students and taught them that doing the right thing matters, even when no one else is looking.  

Royall will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to major in political science and minor in U.S. history. She hopes to attend law school and pursue a career as a constitutional law attorney.

East Gaston High School  
Star Teacher Amy McAulay selected by Star Student Jaden Robinson

Star Teacher Amy McAulay knows what it takes to be a nurse and was happy to pass on her wisdom to Star Student Jaden Robinson, who hopes to go into the nursing field himself after finishing college. While McAulay didn’t initially start out as Robinson’s teacher, he said he would often greet her in the hallway, which then led to in-depth conversations about nursing. Robinson said McAulay is an influential teacher because of her honesty and wisdom. “She tells me the truth, even when it’s hard to hear, and reminds me to live with integrity, humility, and gratitude,” he said. “She has been more than a teacher. She’s a mentor and a guide who holds me accountable to be my best self.”

Robinson plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to major in nursing. 

Forestview High School 
Star Teacher Sam Braxton selected by Star Student Griffin Fitzgerald

Star Student Griffin Fitzgerald will be the first to tell you that he wasn’t originally supposed to be in Star Teacher Sam Braxton’s science class during his sophomore year. But he wanted to be in a class with one of his friends, and he said it was the best decision he could have ever made. According to Fitzgerald, he loved how Braxton took hands-on learning to another level, often including students as part of his daily lesson plans. “Throughout my academic career, Mr. Braxton has been the one teacher whose class I consistently looked forward to taking. I attribute his teaching style and his classes to the main reason I want to become an engineer.”

Fitzgerald plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to major in biomedical engineering. His goal is to obtain a master’s degree and specialize in immunology or prosthetics.

Gaston Virtual Academy 
Star Teacher Melissa Holland selected by Star Student Rachelle Sainvil

Learning in a virtual format can be challenging with some students sometimes deciding to “take the easy way out,” but not Star Student Rachelle Sainvil. She credits her success as a virtual learner to her Star Teacher Melissa Holland. In a specific instance when Sainvil wasn’t feeling motivated to do the step-by-step work, she searched for the answer, which Holland immediately noticed. During their meeting, Holland shared a piece of advice that Sainvil said will always stick with her. “She told me that if I use Google to complete my work, it will never help me grow academically.” Sainvil said the situation taught her an important lesson about integrity and accountability, which will serve her for a long time to come. “Ms. Holland helped me realize that taking my time, asking my help, and doing the hard work honestly is what builds a strong future.”

Sainvil plans to attend Gaston College to major in nursing. She wants to pursue a career as a registered nurse, following in the footsteps of her family and entering the medical field. 

Gaston Early College High School 
Star Teacher Kristen Miller selected by Star Student Elijah Duclos

Star Student Elijah Duclos points out that his Star Teacher Kristen Miller is the kind of teacher who makes learning exciting. No matter the subject or assignment, Duclos says Miller encourages her students to be creative. Her love of what she’s teaching encourages her students to get excited about the tasks at hand. “She makes all of her students feel seen, and no talent or ability goes unnoticed around her,” says Duclos. “She encourages those strengths and pushes us to grow into them.”

Duclos plans to attend community college to major in nursing, and he hopes to pursue a career as a cardiac nurse.

Gaston Early College High School of Medical Sciences
Star Teacher Tommy Ramkissoon selected by Star Student Morgan Melton

Sitting through history class was always a great experience for Star Student Morgan Melton, who said that her interest in history only continued to grow when she had classes with Star Teacher Tommy Ramkissoon.  Mr. Ram, as he is known to his students, brought history to life through creative projects, simulations, and just being a great teacher. “It is amazing to have a social studies teacher like Mr. Ram, who loves history just as much as I do. He is the type of teacher that will keep you engaged in the content with stories and scenarios to go with it,” explained Melton. “Mr. Ram is known for encouraging his students to do the research and make the decision for yourself based on what you believe to be right or wrong.”

Melton plans to attend Gardner-Webb University or Western Carolina University to major in nursing or physical therapy. Her goal is to work in the health science field. 

Highland School of Technology 
Star Teacher Emily Kistler selected by Star Student Zalak Mehta

Always having had a love of math, Star Student Zalak Mehta was already excited to enter Star Teacher Emily Kistler’s class, having heard what an incredible teacher and person she is. But she never expected to learn such important life lessons along with the usual numbers and formulas she already loved. “Ms. Kistler has always been someone who celebrates her students’ growth, big or small. She is the kind of teacher who greets you with a warm good morning and stops you in the hallway just to tell you how proud she is of you” said Mehta. “Through the projects, assignments, and inspirational talks she gave us, Ms. Kistler taught me a newfound confidence to tackle real-life problems the same way I approach a math problem: with the belief that there is always a solution waiting to be found.”

Mehta will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and double major in neuroscience and biology. Her goal is to attend medical school and become a pediatric oncologist.

Hunter Huss High School 
Star Teacher Alicia Corum selected by Star Student James Rosemond

Because of his Star Teacher Alicia Corum, Star Student James Rosemond knows that he is graduating from high school with both knowledge and confidence.  “As a freshman, I was very quiet and often stayed inside my comfort zone, but Ms. Corum saw the potential in me that I had not yet seen in myself,” Rosemond said. He went on to join the Student Government Association, which encouraged him to get involved in other extracurricular activities and clubs. “I have grown as a student, leader, and person because I had Ms. Corum as a teacher. She does more than teach history, she helps shape the future of her students.”

Rosemond plans to attend North Carolina State University to major in political science. He hopes to work in Washington, D.C.

North Gaston High School 
Star Teacher Kenneth Walters selected by Star Student Barrett Stroud

When Star Student Barrett Stroud walked into Star Teacher Kenneth Walters’ classroom, he immediately knew he was a different kind of teacher. The lessons he learned in Walters’ classroom have carried him through as he begins his career in the military. “Mr. Walters’ encouragement and belief in me helped give me the confidence to join the Army National Guard and pursue my goal of becoming a soldier.” Stroud says Walters doesn’t just teach science, he challenges his students to think bigger, work harder, and hold themselves to a higher standard. “He has shown me what leadership looks like, not just in school, but in everyday life.”

Stroud has completed basic training with the U.S. National Guard, showing his commitment to our country. After graduation, he plans to continue serving in the National Guard.

South Point High School 
Star Teacher Kelly Bolton selected by Star Student Tori Spivey

Navigating the path to adulthood is difficult as students try to determine the type of person they want to become. Star Student Tori Spivey says she figured out who she wanted to be because of her time in her Star Teacher Kelly Bolton’s classroom. “While I initially enrolled in Ms. Bolton’s foods class to learn about cooking, I never imagined this class would teach me more than I have ever learned before,” Spivey said. The lessons learned in Bolton’s class goes far beyond the classroom. “Ms. Bolton is the epitome of a great teacher, a wonderful mother, role model, and a friend all in one. A simple thank you could never be enough for the profound impact she has had on my life and on so many others.”

Spivey plans to attend Appalachian State University to major in business while continuing her involvement in cheerleading. She aspires to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales.

Webb Street School 
Star Teacher Casey Unger selected by Star Student Dontavious Worthy

Kindness goes a long way both inside and outside the classroom. That’s one of the reasons why Star Student Dontavious Worthy chose Casey Unger as his Star Teacher. In addition to always being nice, Unger is always happy to see Worthy when he arrives at school, which makes him feel great. Worthy explained, “Mrs. Casey is a great teacher because she is very kind and patient. She takes her time to help me understand. We have fun when we learn in her class, and that makes me want to try my best.” Worthy says that his favorite thing to do in Unger’s class is to play the drums, and be loud and silly. “She understands me, and I know she loves me.”

Worthy plans to be involved in volunteer work in the community after graduating from Webb Street School.