Starr’s Mill High School graduate Maggie Appel recently received the state’s Award of Excellence for seniors with disabilities who have made extraordinary academic or extracurricular accomplishments. Appel, who is deaf, participated in a variety of extracurricular activities and placed first in the Optimist Club speech contest for the region. She is also a Special Olympics volunteer and maintained a robust 3.2 GPA. She is currently attending Gallaudet University and plans to become a teacher. Appel, center, displays the award flanked by, from left, interpreter Julie Karneboge, deaf and hard of hearing teacher Cindy Hartpence, parents Cindy and John Appel, State School Superintendent Kathy Cox and Fayette exceptional children’s services director Chris Horton. Photo/Special.