Leaving It Better – by Rodger Dinwiddie, Executive Director
“Your legacy should be that you made it better than it was when you got it.” Lee Iacocca This past week I saw a wonderful story on News Channel 5 about a group of local high school students who truly are leaving a part of their world much better! Students from Ravenwood High School are […]
Positive School Climate Equals NO HAND GUNS – by Rodger Dinwiddie, Executive Director
This past week the Tennessean reported that two handguns were found in high schools in Tennessee. Williamson County Deputies arrested a Ravenwood High School student after finding an unloaded revolver in a backpack at the school. There was no ammunition in the handgun. A tip proved the key to finding the gun. A second handgun […]
You Don’t Have To Drink To Suffer From Alcoholism – by Rodger Dinwiddie, Executive Director
This is the title of a public service announcement that will be used to bring attention to the celebration of millions of children of alcoholics who will participate in National Children of Alcoholics Week beginning February 14. Many organizations, schools, community agencies, faith-based communities and individuals all across the country will do whatever possible to […]
Megan Fox – A Missed Opportunity- by Rodger Dinwiddie, Executive Director
Seems that there has been a bit of a buzz about Megan Fox and her commercial which aired during this year’s Superbowl. Megan Fox appeared in an ad for Motorola advertising a new phone. Seems the buzz centers around Megan’s thumb. Evidently someone else’s thumb appeared in the ad. Megan has a genetic condition, brachydactyly, […]
The Golden Rule – by Erin Daunic, Director of Development
It sounds so simple: treat other as you would like to be treated. Period. However, as is so often true, what appears to be simple can quickly become burdened by complications. As an almost-40-year old woman, I remember VIVIDLY those adults in my life who treated me with respect and consideration. I remember the overwhelming […]
Can Prejudice Be Prevented? – by Melanie Scott, Director of Kids On The Block
With February being Black History Month, something that is hard to forget or even ignore is prejudice. Growing up in an environment filled with people who looked like me, sounded like me, had the same beliefs I did and even sounded similar to me – I had no idea what the word prejudice meant. My […]
Super Stuff for a Super Sunday – by Erin Daunic, Director of Development
Super. When used as an adjective means first-rate, great or excellent. Today, those of us tuned into Super Bowl XLIV (44) will witness super players playing in the most super game of the National Football League’s season. These first-rate, great and excellent players will match will with brawn and athleticism and most us of will […]
The Kindness of Strangers – by Erin Daunic, Director of Development
In an economy that is damaged, our young people need us more than ever. We have all, from corporate to nonprofit to small business, had to make sacrifices over the past 18-months. Hard sacrifices. We have had to make them here at STARS. However, none of us can afford to overlook the social emotional health […]
Williamson County Women In Action – by Melanie Scott, Program Director, Kids On The Block
Today, I had the opportunity to be with the amazing women of the Patricia Hart Society – Williamson County women who get things done. Kids On The Block was honored by having our founder, Alva Duke, speak to their organization. There were over 350 caring women in attendance with former Fox-17 anchor Laura Faber, as […]
Teacher and Student Bullying: Who Can Help? – by Rodger Dinwiddie
In our Feb. 3 blog, the case of Alex Merritt detailed by “Newsweek” magazine in a 2009 issue presented an unfortunate situation. He was a student enrolled in a part-time vocational program and was tormented with comments about being gay or as those who were making his life miserable said, “Alex’s fence swings both ways. […]
