Johns Creek Students Named Star Seniors By District

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Fulton County Schools recently named Star Seniors of the district. The Star Seniors include exemplary students who are academically advanced as well as those who have succeeded in various ways.

The Star Seniors include a student from Chattahoochee, Johns Creek and Northview high schools.

Chattahoochee High School’s Vibha Murthy, while unassuming and modest, is the school’s first student to complete her Associate’s degree as she graduates from high school. Murthy is dual enrolled at Georgia State University-Perimeter College and has earned straight As every semester. In addition to her college-level math and chemistry classes, she tutors fellow students.

Managing a dual path takes tremendous motivation and organization, and Chattahoochee macro-economics teacher Tim Reeder says she’s very self-directed and has been her own mentor.

“I took advantage of the opportunities I’d been given,” Murthy said. “Find your passion and do it your own way.”

Counselor Deborah Blount describes Murthy as “wise beyond her years” having the foresight to plot out this complicated path.

“Vibha’s college journey will be shorter than most,” Blount said. “In just a few years, I could easily see her entering medical school and soon achieving a degree in medicine.”

Murthy's passion for research will play into her pursuit of a career in medicine or healthcare. Through the AP Capstone program available at Chattahoochee, Murthy conducted a psychological research study that examined the relationship between personality type and short-term memory which she hopes to expand in college. Murthy says she is most inspired by fellow tutors who love the challenge of helping others.

She has brought some benefits of her meaningful two-year Associate’s program back to Chattahoochee like founding a research club of which she is the president, to help teach other students the same skills.

Johns Creek High School’s Thea Fernandez was raised to take what one is given and serve others.

Originally from New York, she came to Johns Creek and had to get out of her comfort zone to make friends. One providential event that made a difference was being chosen as one of three freshmen for the Integrity, Service and Excellence (ISE) Committee, a team of 12 that values community service and strong character qualities.

Fernandez began to develop academic interests and take on more leadership roles. She identified biology and anatomy as favorite subjects leading her to volunteer with the Aurora Day Camp, a seven-week summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings, sponsored by the Sunrise Organization.

From her involvement with the cancer charity Relay for Life, she learned about the camp and soon realized her love of children paired with science made the camp a perfect fit. Despite being exposed to very sick children, she found it rewarding to help make their lives a bit more normal.

She will study at Kennesaw State University to fulfill her dream of being a pediatric nurse.

“I try to inspire other people through leading by example," Fernandez said. "Younger kids look up to me, so I try to be the best version of myself.”

Assistant Principal Caren Hudson commended her saying, “She seeks to find the best in everyone. Thea is more interested in lifting up others than promoting her own service work. She will be a strong force as she approaches the world, changing it for the better.”

Northview High School’s Erin Jackson came to the party late but made a difference in just two years.

Arriving in her junior year, Jackson observed Northview was nothing like her previous school but said, “I learned to roll with it and do the best that I can, and I think I’ve been successful.”

Counselor and cheerleading coach Erica Waters added, “What sticks out for me is how Erin transitioned to Northview; it was amazing to see how she was able to conquer barriers placed before her.”

Jackson has been recognized for her strong leadership skills, athleticism, and portrayal of the school’s four pillars of compassion, integrity, positive attitude and personal responsibility. A lively cheerleader, Jackson also engaged with special needs students in the Community-Based Instruction (CBI) program as a teacher’s assistant. While not highly visible like cheerleading, Jackson's CBI volunteer work along with mentoring underclassmen and new students (a demographic she understands well), has brought satisfaction and made a lasting impact on the student culture.

“I go to a CBI class, and everything just washes away," Jackson said. "The kids are so happy; it really is awesome.”

That volunteer experience made such a strong impression on her that she hopes to be a special education teacher.

“A star senior is someone who not only embraces academics, arts and athletics,” said Principal Brian Downey, “but one who goes beyond, who gives back to our school community. What most impresses me about Erin is how much time she spends with our special needs students.”

Jackson concludes, “Northview has definitely made me tougher and maybe stronger."