Catherine Shapley, SHS 2026 STAR Student and Adam Burton, SHS 2026 STAR Teacher
Starkville High School has named Catherine Shapley as 2026 STAR Student for her performance on the ACT college entrance exam. As part of the STAR program, Shapley was able to choose a STAR Teacher recipient who has most impacted her high school career. She chose SHS Advanced Placement instructor, Adam Burton, for the honor.
The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program recognizes high school seniors in Mississippi who earn the highest ACT score in their school. The STAR student then selects his STAR teacher. Shapley and Burton were honored at a luncheon hosted by the Mississippi Economic Council in April.
Shapley plans to attend Mississippi State University after graduation and major in Public Relations and Communications. She hopes to pursue a Master's degree and become an event planner. During her time at Starkville High School, Catherine has participated in a number of academic, extracurricular and athletic activities, including Beta Club, National Honor Society, MSU Early Honors Academy, Student Council, Oktibbeha Young Leaders, and the Jacket Golf team. She has served as the SHS Student Body President for the 2025-2026 school year, leading her peers in planning and executing student activities for events such as pep rallies, Homecoming, community service initiatives and more.
"The opportunities at SHS are endless," Catherine said. "There truly is something here for anyone and everyone. I feel it's due to these opportunities I've grown into who I am."
Catherine, who will graduate as an AP Scholar with Honors, says she chose Adam Burton as her STAR Teacher recipient because of the way he made the subject matter of his AP Psychology class engaging. She says his class was one of the first Advanced Placement courses she took in high school, but his knowledge of the material and how he engaged students in hands-on and interactive activities made it one of her favorites from her four years at Starkville High. However, she also says his impact came through the way he consistently cares about his students.
"His dedication and enthusiasm made a lasting impact on my high school experience," Catherine said. "I came into class every day genuinely excited to see what we would be doing next. Beyond teaching, Mr. Burton truly cares about his students. He goes out of his way to stay involved, even showing up to Student Council meetings just to support us and see what we're working on.
"Being named a STAR Teacher is a great honor," Burton shared, "but it is even more meaningful when it comes from a student like Catherine. It is incredibly rewarding to know that I was able to play a small role in her journey."
Burton describes Catherine as "exceptionally bright," but also says he recognized her work ethic right from the start – even as a sophomore when he taught her.
"She is a leader by example," he said. "I taught her as a sophomore in a class made up of mostly upperclassmen, and she consistently outperformed many of them. That says a lot about her ability and her drive.
Burton says being chosen by a student as STAR Teacher also serves as a reminder of why he chose teaching as his profession.
"It's not just for the content, whether that is parts of the brain or psychological perspectives, though I hope she remembers some of that," Burton said. "But it's for the relationships we build with students and the lasting impact those relationships can have on both them and us."
Catherine, who began attending the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District as a third grader, says she remembers even from a young age how engaging her teachers were and how they made her more enthusiastic about learning. She believes that engagement and the varied opportunities available have positioned her for success in her next steps.
"The school district has given me a solid foundation that I feel confident will support my endeavors, no matter what I do," she said. "I have been able to travel abroad, take college classes and involve myself in the college environment at MSU, truly expanding my horizons. It has given me experiences that prepared me and allowed me to be ready for whatever may come."
Through Catherine's many extracurricular activities and involvement in student life, she found her niche for gaining new experiences and spreading her wings as a leader among her peers. When she talks about advice to give SHS underclassmen, she says high school can help you find out more about who you want to be.
"You get out of it what you put into it," she says. "My advice to the younger students is to get involved and put yourself out there. It can be scary to do something new or join a club without your friends. But, high school is honestly where you find out who you are and who you want to be. Even if it's a club just for fun, it can expand your connections and your confidence exponentially."
Burton says those lessons are sure to serve Catherine well in her next steps.
"I have no doubt Catherine will carry the traits that made her successful at Starkville High School into college and beyond," he said. "I am excited to see all that she accomplishes in the future."
