Samantha Swaim and Jeff Bourne Honored as STAR Recipients

DACULA, Ga. – Partnership Gwinnett hosted the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) reception last week, honoring 76 recipients from 33 schools in Gwinnett County, including HCA senior Samantha Swaim and science teacher Mr. Jeff Bourne.

The event, sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and its foundation, was held at 12Stone Church in Duluth on Feb. 13. More than 200 students, teachers, and guests attended the annual event.

“The STAR Reception highlights the important connection between education and workforce development,” said Nick Masino, president and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett. “Programs like this one align with Partnership Gwinnett’s mission to develop the workforce needed for today and the future, and we would like to congratulate this year’s honorees on their achievements.”

Samantha Swaim is receiving the STAR Award as she ranks in the top 10 of the Class of 2025 and achieved the highest SAT score in a single sitting. She has attended HCA since the sixth grade and excelled throughout high school, currently holding a 4.53 GPA while taking 13 Advanced Placement courses. She plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall, where she will study Political Science on a Pre-Law track.

Samantha selected Mr. Jeff Bourne as her STAR Teacher after taking his AP Chemistry class last year and AP Physics this year. Mr. Bourne is in his eighth year at HCA and 41st year overall in education.

The PAGE STAR program honors the highest-achieving high school seniors and their most academically influential teachers. Students must have the highest score on any single SAT taken through the November test date of their senior year, with their SAT scores equal to or higher than the 2024 national average on the evidence-based math, reading, and writing sections. They must also rank in the top 10% or top 10 students of their class based on GPA.

About Hebron Christian Academy:
Located in Dacula, Georgia, Hebron Christian Academy is a Christ-centered learning community focused on equipping minds, transforming hearts and impacting culture. We provide excellence in the classroom, an intentional environment for spiritual growth and unapologetically challenge students to discover God’s calling for their lives.