George Mason High School Spanish teacher, Suzanne Planas, was recently honored as part of the Special Teachers Are Recognized (STAR) and Merrill Presidential Scholars programs of Cornell University. The Merrill Scholars program recognizes outstanding graduating seniors in the top one percent of their college by allowing them to pay tribute to a high school teacher who played a significant role in their academic success.

George Mason High School Spanish teacher, Suzanne Planas, was recently honored as part of the Special Teachers Are Recognized (STAR) and Merrill Presidential Scholars programs of Cornell University. The Merrill Scholars program recognizes outstanding graduating seniors in the top one percent of their college by allowing them to pay tribute to a high school teacher who played a significant role in their academic success.

Merrill Scholar and 2006 Mason H.S. graduate, Eric Brooks, chose Planas for that honor.

Planas, who was Cornell’s guest in a two-day celebration, will have a one-time, $4,000 STAR scholarship established in her name to be awarded to a Cornell student from Mason H.S. or Falls Church. Brooks, who cited Planas as “a mentor and friend” whose support helped him to tackle GMHS’s challenging IB diploma, is now attending the Yale School of Medicine.