North Springs Names 2017 STAR Student, Teacher

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- North Springs Charter High School has releasd the name of its 2017 STAR Student.

Chase McGrath qualified as the senior with the highest SAT score (1550) taken at one sitting of any student in his class.

McGrath, 18, is the son of Kevin and Robin McGrath of Sandy Springs. He chose North Springs for the dual magnet programs in math and science and visual and performing arts after attending eighth grade at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School and The Epstein School previously.

By the time he graduates, Chase will have taken 13 Advanced Placement courses as a dual magnet student with a focus on vocal music, piano and drama. He has been selected to the very competitive All-State Choir for three consecutive years as well as the All-State Sight Reading Choir, the first North Springs Spartan to achieve this honor.

Additionally he is a Governor’s Honors semifinalist, and a member of National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, math team, and in middle school, did two national tours for "The Sound of Music" and "The King and I."

He is not certain where he will be going to college, but is considering majoring in physics with a minor in music.

Chase selected North Springs’ AP U.S. History teacher Stephen Bengston as his STAR teacher. He and Principal Scott Hanson surprised Bengston in his classroom Wednesday morning to make the announcement.

“I chose Mr. Bengston because he has been a great influence on how I think about things," Chase said. "He has been very influential, approachable, and supportive. He’s a really good teacher in general."

Bengston holds a master’s degree in history from Western Carolina University and bachelor's degree in history from the University of West Florida where he was a four-year baseball player and twice named academic all-conference.

He served as North Springs’ varsity baseball head coach for eight years and is currently advisor to the philosophy club.

“This is humbling, we have so many great faculty,” said Bengston, “But Chase is just amazingly open minded. He seeks out people who think differently because he wants to understand them. It is incredibly impressive to witness.”

Hanson noted the school is proud of both Chase and Bengston.

"For a teacher to know he or she has made such an impact on a student, it is just a great honor," the principal added. "We’re very happy for them and congratulate them both."

Photo: North Springs AP U.S. History and 2017 STAR teacher Stephen Bengston and Chase McGrath, North Springs' 2017 STAR Student. Credit: North Springs Charter High School