Students from four area high schools were honored for their commitment to academic excellence Thursday night at First Baptist Church during the 27th annual Academic All-Star program sponsored by Atmore Rotary Club.

Students maintaining an A or B average for each grading period of the year, and receiving at least one A in each grading period at Atmore Christian School, Escambia Academy, Escambia County High School and Northview High School were recognized during Thursday’s program after a brief outside reception on the church lawn.

Dr. Daniel Bain, president of Jefferson Davis Community College, opened the ceremony with a speech urging the students to live in the moment and to make education a lifelong pursuit.

Rotary Club President Lisa Reynolds said this year’s program was a wonderful ceremony held before a packed house to honor some very deserving young people.

“I thought it was fantastic,” Reynolds said. “It’s so moving to me. These kids are the future. They’re so bright and so lovely and we’re so proud of them. They all have the hearts of Rotarians and we hope they will all be Rotarians one day.”

Reynolds also said the Rotary Club owed a very special thanks to First Baptist Church, for the use of their facilities, and to Rotarian Cindy Lee, who organized the event.

“We want to say a special thanks to First Baptist Church,” Reynolds said. “It’s such a beautiful facility and the night went so great. Cindy did a bang up job. This is a huge project, coordinating with all of the schools and the parents.”

During Thursday’s program, Rotarian Kathleen Hall presented this year’s Academic All-Star Awards, the awards for four-year Academic All-Stars and handed out almost $30,000 in scholarships. Those recognized as 2012 Academic All-Stars included: Atmore Christian School Caleb Hochstetler, Wesley Hostetler, Darren Landis, Anna Presley, Taylor West, Charity Hall, Durrell Martin, Travis Smith, Aimee Jurjevich, Jacinda Stahly, Narisa Wiggins, Hannah Ziglar, Logan Boatwright, Casey Freeman, Frisco Gehman and Josh McDonald. Escambia Academy Scott Brantley, Claire Dawe, Bailey Godwin, Garrett Kirk, Cecily McCullough, Erin Rider, Anna Catherine Sasser, Nate Smith, Abby Akins, Elaine Davidson, Megan Duncan, Grayson Emmons, Sarah Weatherford, Caitlyn Bruley, Blake Clark, Page Lancaster and Brandon Goddard. Escambia County High School Rodrick Felder, Robert Henderson, Ben Hubert, Lyricia Johnson, Cheyenne McGee, Allanis Rolin, Ashleigh Simpkins, Jerome Webster, Tristen Boothe, Yamilex Gutierrez, Annah Nichols, Ashley Prime, Matthew Quimby, Davontae Walker, Iva Wiggins, Mariah Hinton, Charmia Hollinger, Scarlet Martin, Jazmine McGinnis, Violet Miller, Heather Taylor, Bria Willis, Jazmine Adams, Lovincy Brown, Daejon Burrous, Quinston Ephraim, Jr., Amber Hubert, Keierikai James, Taylor January, Ta’Kia Johnson, Kiona Lambert, D’Asia Lockett, Ashley McKenzie, Aaron Miller, Jamieka North, LaRose Powell, Taniecha Richardson, Stacie Young and Diamond Williams. Northview High School Annie Bobo, Joshua Borelli, Megan Bryan, Kendal Cobb, Aaliyah Creamer, Austin Cunningham, Kyndall Hall, Julie Hester, Jessica McCullough, Aaron McDonald, Tristan Portwood, Mallory Ryan, Samantha Sharpless, Kelton Wooten, Madison Arrington, Kasie Braun, Dale Brown, Audrey Byrd, Lane Clayton, Morgan Digmon, Anna Donald, Chloe Leonard, Jessica Lowery, Rachel Presley, Hilery Scott, Courtney Solari, Jeremy Stacey, Danielle Steadham, Lily Townson, Courtney Weaver, Victoria White, Jazzlyn Franklin, Ashton Gibbs, Justin Halteman, Zachary Johnson, Ashley Mooney, Julia Thorpe, Jamila Codrington, Josie Doucette, Amber Francis, Jacob Gibson, Alexandra Riggs, Lydia Weaver and Elizabeth Wright.

Four year Academic All-Stars were Jazmine Adams, Quinston Ephraim, Jr., Amber Francis, Brandon Goddard, Taylor January and LaRose Powell. Each four year Academic All-Star received a scholarship in the amount of $750. All other senior All-Stars were awarded with $500 scholarships.  Two other students were also selected for scholarship awards as Jazmine Adams received the Mary Joyner Grissett Memorial Scholarship and Elizabeth Wright received the Randolph B. Luttrell Sr. Memorial Scholarship, each in the amount of $2,000.