The Kiwanis Club of Covington received recognition from the Professional Association of Georgia Educators for their involvement with the STAR program Thursday at their weekly meeting at the Covington YMCA.

PAGE also recognized one of the club's longest standing members, Perry Haymore, for his involvement as the program's administrator for more than 20 years.

Haymore, a long time educator and administrator and the former athletic director at Newton High School, has directed the STAR program since the mid 80's.

The STAR program recognizes the student who scores the highest on the SAT in a first sitting and who is also is in the top ten of the class. Each of the three high schools in Newton County has a STAR student. The student with the highest overall score is honored as the county's STAR student and goes on to represents the district at the state level.

The STAR program also recognizes teachers. Each STAR student chooses a STAR teacher. A STAR teacher is also recognized on the state and district level.

Haymore, whose son Chris is an assistant principal and the athletic director at Alcovy and a former STAR teacher, works half-days at Newton and is no longer involved with the Ram football program.

PAGE Foundation President Tom Wommack presented the award and praised the Covington Kiwanis for their support, citing them as one of the original 64 sponsors and hoping for a long partnership in Newton County.