Many teachers and students here at Armuchee High School (AHS) set the bar high for star quality and go above and beyond, striving to give their best throughout the year. Luke Hagerich, senior, and John Little, teacher, specifically have exceeded expectations during the 2025-2026 school year. Each of them are prepared to give their all every day and set the example for AHS. Luke Hagerich is a dedicated student and has become the star student at Armuchee High School by meeting the qualifications, including scoring the highest on the SAT, being in the top 10 percentile during junior year, and having a high GPA throughout his high school years.
Luke has been preparing, studying, and going above and beyond throughout his four years in high school. Mrs.Mowery, an English teacher at Armuchee High School, has taught Luke Hagerich for three years. She has taught him AP English Language, AP Language Literature, and AP Psychology over the years. “He is engaged in the class and answers questions accurately; he arrives prepared to learn,” said Mrs. Mowery. Luke is accepting the challenges of high level classes and is engaged and prepared to handle them each day. “My peers around me also inspire me to pursue the highest level of myself, by challenging me and setting the right example too,” Luke said. Luke is now preparing for the future that lies ahead of him and is wanting to major in mechanical engineering and computer science at the University of Georgia Institute of Technology.
Mr. Little was chosen by the star student himself, Luke Hagerich, rather than written by the book qualifications. Having taught Luke both AP Calculus and AP Statistics, Luke would say that Mr.Little is more than qualified for this title. “Mr. Little is not only an outstanding teacher inside the classroom, but he is a great example to model your character after. He leads with integrity above all and shows compassion to those around him,” Luke said. Mr. Little had a great impact on Luke’s education and even his character overall, which is why he was selected. Mr. Little said, “I would like to think that I impact every student that I teach in the same way. My goal is to give every student I teach my best each day. I want them to know that I care not only about them as a student but also their life beyond high school.” Mr. Little has a desire to not only teach his students what he is required to but also prepare them for life. He tries to show that he cares, and give his best each and every day at AHS. His desire for students to know that he cares about them, shows his dedication to teaching.
Many administrators, teachers, and students also take pride in Luke and Mr. Little’s accomplishments and agree that they are both very deserving candidates for these titles. Mrs. Flagello, an administrator at the school, said, “Luke has been a very self-driven student his entire high school career. He is very deserving of this award!” She and others have raved on Luke’s hard work and motivation over his years at AHS. Mrs. Mowery said, “I’m always so happy to help a student who is motivated and appreciative of the feedback I give him.” Throughout the many classes she has taught him, his dedication was shown. These staff and many more believe that Luke is a very deserving star student, not only because he met the requirements, but because he exceeded them. Luke himself said, “I continue to lead by example through displaying self discipline, hard work, and integrity. My peers around me also inspire me to pursue the highest level of myself by challenging me and setting the right example too.” Luke says that he plans to keep working hard and pursue the best version of himself that he can be.
All in all, Luke plans to keep thriving and inspiring whoever he comes across to become more academically challenged. Luke has not only impacted his peers but the teachers and staff as well. Being a Star Student means having good qualities and the right mentality to achieve the award, and it is with the help of teachers that students are able to achieve it. Mr. Little was chosen by Luke because he has prepared Luke and his peers for the future that lies ahead of them. In the end, going above and beyond brings out the star quality in us, and others.
