On April 1^st-April 4^th, 2012, STARS took a group of eight high school students who are deaf and hard of hearing to Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Gallaudet University is the largest college in America that offers services specifically for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Over 4,000 students attend this school from all over the world.

This trip is incredibly important because it shows our students first-hand the academic opportunities available to them.  While on the trip, the students stayed on campus in the dorms, ate at the cafeteria and were able to socialize with other college students. They were given a full tour of the campus, met with academic advisors and admission counselors, had question and answer time with a student panel, joined a college class in session, and were introduced to several successful professionals who are deaf and hard of hearing and working in the Washington, DC area. 

One boy who currently plays football in Tennessee was able to meet with the Gallaudet football coach and join a practice with other Gallaudet players. The experience was incredible and provided the students with hope and inspiration for their future.

 

What do Hunter’s Lane High School, Nashville School of the Arts, Middle College High School and Martin Luther King Magnet School have in common???  Teens on the Block!!

Over the summer a group of dynamic, curious and wonderfully talented high school students approached STARS stating: “We want to learn the puppets!”  The timing was inspired.  STARS had been seeking ways to engage more teenagers through our Kids on the Block program and suddenly here was a group of adolescents demanding to be a part of it.  WE WERE THRILLED.

When asked what social topic they would like to see represented in the menu of presentations, they unanimously decided gang awareness.  They all took home copies of our gang awareness script (which had been dormant for years) and offered their opinions on ways for the script to be more current, more hip.  Their input has been invaluable.

They quickly named their group Teens on the Block (TOB) and meet on a weekly basis to learn the art of puppetry in order to educate elementary students on the dangers of gangs.  In fact, they are scheduled to debut at a local after-school sites in Spring 2012.