Makana Dyrud named Gainesville STAR Student, chooses Jobson as STAR Teacher

Riverside Prep senior Makana Dyrud was named the Gainesville STAR Student for 2025 at a Kiwanis Club luncheon on Jan. 28, 2025.

 

Dyrud, of Weston, Florida, chose English teacher Andy Jobson as his STAR Teacher. Dyrud had already been informed that he was Riverside Prep’s STAR Student. But he learned at the luncheon that he also beat out students at Gainesville High School and Lakeview Academy for the city’s top honor. He now will participate for the Regional STAR Student award.

 

“I’m very proud to win this award,” he told The Times after the ceremony. “I’ve always been a computer science person

 

Dyrud said he chose Jobson because he “pushed me to further want to write and want to read more and interact with the writing scene more.”  

 

After graduation, Dyrud hopes to attend the University of Florida and study computer science with hopes of becoming a software engineer.

 

For Jobson, this year’s award is the fourth time one of his students has chosen him as their STAR Teacher. Jobson said it goes without saying that Dyrud is a brilliant student. But what stands out most about Dyrud, he said, is his “compassion and kindness” and willingness to help other students. “I’m just delighted that he’s such a fine young man.”  

 

The Hall County STAR student is Benvon Roberts of Flowery Branch High School. She chose her English teacher, Kelly Brumbelow, as STAR Teacher.

 

Both students will now move on to the regional competition March 11 at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. The regional winners will attend the state banquet in Alpharetta on April 28. 

 

The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Georgia’s highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers most instrumental in their academic development. To be nominated as a STAR, students meet several criteria, including having the highest SAT score at their schools and being in the top 10 percent based on grade point average.