Matt Rich hopes his children grow up to be even half of what Ginny Boone has become.

The 17-year-old Westminster Schools of Augusta senior demonstrates leadership, integrity and wisdom, he said of his student shortly after she was named the 2008 Richmond County STAR Student on Monday.

"She's just an absolutely amazing kid," said Mr. Rich, her STAR teacher.

The Student Teacher Academic Recognition goes to the high school senior who ranks in the top 10 percent of the class and scores the highest on the SAT. Ginny earned a perfect 2400 on the test, and if the school ranked its students she would be near the top, Principal Craig Johnson said.

After the award was announced at Monday's luncheon of the Augusta Kiwanis Club, Ginny credited her family, friends and teachers for her accomplishments. They supported her and pulled her along, she said.

She also supports her friends and classmates. She tends to be the center of attention in class, albeit in a good way, Mr. Rich said. The students are eager to know what answer she got to a problem and how she got it.

There's no limit to the influence teens can have on their peers, said Lawton Evans Stephens, the chief Superior Court judge of a district that includes Clarke County. His great-uncle served as Richmond County superintendent from 1882 to 1934.

"I know from personal experience that there's a severe limit on the amount of influence an old man in a robe can have on the life of a young person who's in trouble," Mr. Stephens said during the luncheon. "But there is no limit to the amount of influence a respected friend or classmate can have."

The country needs new solutions to old problems, he said, charging the STAR students from 13 Richmond County schools with the responsibility that comes with their academic success.

After high school, Ginny plans to study math, a subject she has a knack for, but she isn't sure where just yet or how she will apply her math skills. Although she has applied to six colleges, she is leaning toward Vanderbilt University, her father's alma mater.

MARY VIRGINIA BOONE

SCHOOL: Westminster Schools of Augusta

AGE: 17

FAMILY: Father, Dan; mother, Elena; a sister

ACCOMPLISHMENT: 2008 Richmond County STAR Student

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Soccer center midfielder