Monday night’s “Night of Stars Banquet” reminded us of how wonderful — teen angst, notwithstanding — the springtime of our lives can be. It was a wonderful evening for young people who earned their accolades through hard work and dedication to task.

Ten superior Port Arthur ISD graduates were honored for their academic achievements. In addition to $500 scholarships from the Port Arthur Education Foundation, the 10 got this treasure: They were able to invite their favorite teachers to sit with them, a distinct honor for educators who might oftentimes labor without full and certain knowledge that their efforts make a difference. Their invitations Monday night offer lasting proof that they do.

Joe Tant, the Education Foundation’s executive director, said the students are “super competitive” from the outset of their high school education. That intensity ought not slacken as they seek first higher education and then professional achievement. There is so much more to achieve.

But along with intensity, the 10 showed themselves to have delightful personalities — charming, self-effacing — with appreciation for help along their personal journeys.

Consider their plans: Samserain Cadenas will study history at Texas Southern; Ngoc Kim Huynh, business at Texas A&M. Huy Gia Luong will study biology at Lamar; Kim Mai Nguyen, fashion merchandising at Lamar. Thuy-Linh Aileen Nguyen will study construction management at Lamar; Andrea Jacqueline Ortiz, sign language at Lamar; Kristie Nhung Pham, education at Texas A&M; Jasmine Nicole Reyes, biology at Lamar; Tiffany Hanh Tran, psychology at Lamar; Jimmy Trinh, dental hygiene at LIT. We congratulate them all — for what they have done and for their every good intention to come.

What their students seemed to value most in their chosen favorite teachers was their time, their demonstrated concern for them, their exemplary personal qualities and good example. Jasmine Reyes said she appreciated that Leroy Leopold instilled in her the value of preparation, of holding strength of purpose, of being genuine and humble. Thuy-Linh Aileen Nguyen said Leon Bedrous “encourages students to do big things.” Kristie Nhung Pham said Maiya Turner was “like the sister I always wanted.” What greater life lessons could a teacher pass on to a student?

That’s why we should congratulate their teachers, as well, men and women who guide these and other young charges toward worthy lives: Trent Johnson, Georgia Vasilakis Walston, James Terrell III, Ali Harakeh, Leon Bedrous, Azineth Buan, Maiya Turner, Leroy Leopold, Shalequa Landry, Lillian Bronson. Their good work is made plain through the development of these Stars.

Nor should we forget the students’ first teachers: their parents. Star after Star lauded their fathers and mothers and even their siblings for their lifelong support, dedication, love and caring. Good parents invest their all in their children; the Night of Stars Banquet showed they invested well.