Athens Reporter

Seniors Cooper Capps and Wade David have been named the 2023 STAR Students for Prince Avenue Christian School, scoring the highest score in one sitting of the SAT test this year. Cooper selected high school Bible teacher Greg Rentz as his STAR Teacher, and Wade selected high school science teacher Carrie Owens as his STAR Teacher.

Cooper Capps 

Cooper is the son of Whitney and Chad Capps and has attended Prince Avenue Christian School for five years. Cooper is a member of the National Honors Society, National Beta Club, Thespian Society, and Tri-M. He was awarded the Georgia Certificate of Merit by the University of Georgia and has been recognized as a Wolverine Academian for having one of the top three grade point averages in his class for all of his high school career.  Cooper is active in fine arts at Prince Avenue having performed in the cast of eight high school productions as well as placed in region and state GHSA literary competitions. He is the co-captain of the student-led improvisation group at Prince, is a member of the Prince Praise Band, and leads the high school Men’s Bible Study.

Cooper is a member of Crosspointe Baptist Church where he is on the praise team and is a camp counselor.  He also volunteers at Operation Christmas Child and The Oaks Senior Adult Living Facility.

When asked about his STAR Teacher, Cooper explains that Mr. Rentz has been instrumental in Cooper’s growth as a student leader, especially in leading the men’s Bible study group at Prince. “Mr. Rentz has been there helping me every step of the way. If you could see very tough questions and difficult concepts I’ve sent to him that he has helped sort out, it would be very evident of all the work he has done in making me the person I am today, and I can’t thank him enough for it.”

Mr. Rentz has taught high school Bible at Prince for four years.  He describes Cooper as a student who goes above and beyond expectations. “It is obvious that he consistently works hard and strives for excellence in all that he does. Cooper is a growing believer who evidently seeks to use what God has taught him to help and serve his fellow students.”

Cooper plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology where he will major in electrical engineering.

Wade David 

Wade is the son of Ashlie and Clark David and has attended Prince Avenue Christian School for 13 years.  Wade is a member of the National Honors Society, National Beta Club, and Interact Club.  He was awarded the Georgia Certificate of Merit by the University of Georgia and has been recognized as a Wolverine Academian for having the highest grade point average in his class during his sophomore and junior years.  Wade was a Governor’s Honors Program semifinalist in biology and has participated in the University of Georgia Young Dawgs research internship where he studied mutations in zebrafish that caused hyperactivity in the brain.

Wade was the PACS Student Government Association junior class vice president and is a member of the Varsity Academic Team where he was recognized as Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. He is also a member of the varsity cross-country team and has competed in the state cross-country meet. Wade attends Redeemer Presbyterian Church and volunteers at Prince Avenue Baptist Church’s summer camp for children.

Wade explains that he chose Mrs. Owens as his STAR Teacher because of the support she has offered him in his areas of interest. “Mrs. Owens has supported my interest in the STEM fields and connected me to opportunities outside of the classroom such as the Young Dawgs Program.”

Mrs. Owens has been teaching for 14 years, 11 of which have been at Prince.  She describes Wade as a student who is both intelligent and humble. “His natural giftedness and ability to think critically set him apart from his peers. Wade’s intelligence is only surpassed by his humility and kindness he shows to those around him. He is always willing to lend a hand and help students in my class who are struggling. He has great character and great intelligence.”

Wade plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology where he will major in chemical and biomolecular engineering.

Original source can be found here.