PEARL, Miss. - A combined $107,000 in scholarships and awards from the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. were presented at the Mississippi Business Alliance Foundation's 61st Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Student and Teacher Celebration at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl.
Jasmaan Banipal was named Mississippi's TOP ALL-STAR Scholar for 2026. A student at The Mississippi School for Mathematics & Science in Columbus, Banipal earned a perfect 36 composite score on the American College Test (ACT), with a combined sub-score of 108 and a grade point average of 101.50. He received a $24,000 scholarship. Banipal is undecided on where he will attend college, but plans to study bioinformatics.
Each STAR Student designated a STAR Teacher who made the greatest contribution to their scholastic achievement. Teachers selected by the top three students receive a $1,500 award. Banipal chose Lauren Zarandona, a National Board-Certified teacher with 23 years of experience.
Seth M. Trisdale, a student at Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, was named first runner-up and received a $20,000 scholarship. He designated Ashton Winstead, a National Board-Certified teacher with nine years of experience, as his STAR Teacher.
William "Crosby" Parker of Gulfport High School was the second runner-up and received a $16,000 scholarship. He chose Ellen Buntyn, a National Board-Certified teacher with 14 years of experience, as his STAR Teacher.
The remaining 17 ALL-STAR Scholars each received a one-time $1,500 scholarship, and their STAR Teacher selections received a $1,000 award.
"The STAR Student and Teacher program goes beyond highlighting student accomplishments," said MSBA Vice President and MSBA Foundation President Scott Waller. "These students are our future leaders, and we believe the program not only recognizes their hard work and dedication but also inspires them to continue striving for excellence as they shape the future of our communities and economy."
To qualify as a STAR Student, high school seniors must have the highest ACT score (minimum 25) and scholastic average (minimum 93) in their core subjects at their school. This year's program honored 320 students from more than 300 public, private, and parochial schools.
Additionally, the Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. increased the amount of combined annual scholarships and awards from $88,500 in 2025 to $107,000 for 2026.