Mississippi’s youngest and brightest will continue to be recognized for their academic excellence, along with the teachers who shape them, under a new organization.
The Mississippi Business Alliance (MSBA) Foundation and the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. have jointly announced that the Cook Foundation will manage the Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program to ensure one of Mississippi’s longest-standing academic recognitions continues.
The Mississippi Economic Council established the STAR Program in 1965 to recognize the Magnolia State’s highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers who contributed to their success. Each year, hundreds of students from public, private, and independent schools in Mississippi are recognized based on their ACT score and individual academic achievement.
“STAR has been an important part of the Mississippi Economic Council’s history and one of Mississippi’s most meaningful traditions recognizing students and teachers,” MSBA Foundation President Scott Waller said. “Our priority throughout this transition was to protect that legacy and ensure STAR would continue with an organization that understands its value. The Cook Foundation has been an extraordinary supporter of STAR for nearly three decades, and we believe it is the right organization to lead the program into its next chapter.”
The transition from the MSBA Foundation to the Cook Foundation became effective July 8 and transferred the STAR Program’s records, assets, and intellectual property. According to the Cook Foundation, under its new leadership, the STAR Program will continue its longstanding mission of encouraging academic excellence from Mississippi students and will remain committed to recognizing the vital role that teachers play in student achievement.
“The STAR Program reflects what the Cook Foundation has always believed—that academic achievement should be encouraged, teachers should be celebrated, and students should have opportunities to continue their education,” Executive Director of the Cook Foundation Katy Pacelli said. “After supporting STAR Students and Teachers for many years, we are honored to accept responsibility for the program and committed to maintaining its mission, statewide reach, and tradition of excellence.”
Vickie Powell and Rosie Thomas were specifically attributed and recognized by the MSBA and Cook Foundations, in large part for this deal.
“Vickie and Rosie gave STAR far more than their time—they gave the program their hearts,” Waller said. “Their commitment to students and teachers is a major reason STAR has remained such a respected and meaningful statewide program. We are deeply grateful for everything they have done to build and protect its legacy.”
The Cook Foundation’s connection to the STAR Program doesn’t begin here, however, but in 1997. Since then, the program has provided more than $2.4 million in scholarships and awards to STAR Students and Teachers. In 2026, $150,000 in awards are expected across Mississippi, including for the top-20 STAR students, called All-STAR scholars, who also receive a Cook Foundation scholarship.
“STAR has a remarkable history of celebrating young people who have worked hard to achieve at the highest level and the educators who helped guide them,” Cook Foundation President Deborah Rochelle said. “The Cook Foundation is proud to carry this legacy forward. We look forward to working with Mississippi’s schools and communities to ensure STAR continues inspiring students and honoring teachers for generations to come.”
