Darlington's Ha Dang ('15) was recognized last week as the first runner-up of the Georgia STAR Student Competition in Atlanta. Darlington chemistry instructor and her chosen STAR teacher Julia Dodd accompanied Dang to a full day of interviews at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, where winners were later announced on the evening of April 27.
Dang and STAR Student state winner Carter Guensler of Henry W. Grady High School (Atlanta) were selected as the top two from a total of 534 local STAR Students representing public and independent school across the state. This year’s class of STAR Students and STAR Teachers is the largest group to date since the program debuted 57 years ago.
“The PAGE Foundation is proud to work with leaders from business, philanthropy and education to recognize some of Georgia’s highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers who had the greatest influence on their success," said PAGE Foundation President John Varner. "We hope students and professional educators everywhere will be inspired—as we are—by the excellent work of these fine STAR Students and STAR Teachers.”
Dang was first named Darlington's STAR Student in February, and later went on to win the Rome City Schools and Region 1 rounds of the competition, sending her and Julia Dodd to the state level.
"[Ha] challenges herself and she challenges her classmates; and, on the rare occasion when someone bests her, she graciously acknowledges their accomplishment," said Dodd. "Ha has been accepted by some of the top universities in our country and I look forward to watching her star continue to rise."
Dang came to Darlington from her native Vietnam as a junior and rows crew, runs cross country and swims. She holds membership in the National Art Honor Society, Science Club and Book Club, and plays guitar as a member of the Darlington Instrumental Music Conservatory. Dang serves as an Admission Tiger Expert and academic prefect in Thornwood House. She has volunteered for the Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity and the Murphy-Harpst Children's Home.
The senior has won numerous scholastic achievement accolades including E.L. Wright Scholastic Honor awards for AP Chemistry and AP Calculus, and has been recognized with a Georgia Certificate of Merit and with placement on the Headmaster's List.
"While the academics at Darlington helped me to do well on the SAT and move to the STAR district level, the extracurriculars helped me a lot to move on to the state because you need to have a story, a passion to convince people you are a well-rounded student," said Dang. "'Service beyond self' is a very important aspect and tradition from Darlington that has affected me. I can use my education to serve." said Dang.
