Mississippi’s STAR program enters new era under Cook Charitable Foundation

The Mississippi Business Alliance Foundation (MSBA) and the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. recently announced that the Cook Foundation has assumed responsibility for the Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program, ensuring that one of Mississippi’s longest-standing traditions honoring academic excellence will continue.

Established by the Mississippi Economic Council in 1965, the STAR Program has recognized Mississippi’s highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers who contributed most to their academic success for 61 years.

“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,” said Scott Waller, President of the Mississippi Business Alliance Foundation. “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 became effective July 8, 2026, with the MSBA Foundation transferring the STAR Program’s records, assets and related intellectual property to the Cook Foundation. Under the Cook Foundation’s leadership, STAR will continue its longstanding mission of encouraging scholastic excellence among Mississippi students and recognizing the important role 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,” said Katy Pacelli, executive director of the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation. “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.”

Each year, STAR recognizes hundreds of students from public, private, and independent schools across Mississippi. Students qualify based on ACT performance and sustained academic achievement. Following the creation of the Mississippi Business Alliance, the program most recently operated through the MSBA Foundation.

The Cook Foundation’s connection to STAR began in 1997. Since that time, it has provided more than $2.4 million in scholarships and awards to STAR Students and Teachers. The top 20 STAR Students each year are selected as ALL-STAR Scholars and receive Cook Foundation scholarships, while their selected STAR Teachers receive awards. In 2026, the foundation is on track to award over $150,000 in scholarships and teacher awards.

“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,” said Deborah Rochelle, president of the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. “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.”

The MSBA Foundation and the Cook Foundation also recognize Vickie Powell and Rosie Thomas for their leadership and dedicated service to STAR over the past 20 years. Their work with schools, students, teachers, sponsors and community leaders helped preserve the integrity of the program and strengthen its reputation throughout Mississippi.

“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.”