STARS Participants Get Fit with USABA in Colorado
Since 2011, the STARS Afterschool Enrichment Program has partnered with the United States Association for Blind Athletes (USABA) to participate in their annual National Fitness Challenge. To its credit, USABA was founded in 1976 with the intent to improve the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals by providing them opportunities to participate in competitive sports. Along those same lines, while partnering with the WellPoint Foundation, USABA developed the fitness challenge in an effort to reduce obesity among blind and visually impaired youth, and to help teach them about leading more healthy and active lifestyles. During the course of the STARS Afterschool Program in 2012-13, all afterschool participants competed in the fitness challenge to see who could reduce the highest percentage of their Body Mass Index (BMI), while also recording their weekly physical activities. During their
fitness and nutrition class at STARS, students participated in physical activities such as yoga, group aerobics, weight training, and cardio relays. At the end of the afterschool season, scores were tallied to determine the top male and female participants from the challenge. Ashley R. and Kajain S. were selected as the two top finalists from the STARS program, which qualified them for an all-expenses paid trip to Colorado Springs, CO for the USABA Fitness Camp. Later, they were pleasantly surprised to find that two more STARS students, Brandon S. and Ali L., would be joining them in Colorado after being nominated for the trip by their goalball coach, Hal Simpson. In mid-July, accompanied by Andrea Diallo, STARS Instructor, the students spent an action-packed weekend at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, where they ran, jumped, swam and participated in various sports among other blind and visually impaired youth from around the nation. The STARS athletes represented our program well in Colorado, and we are so very proud of them for their hard work and efforts to lead healthy, active lives.
Director’s Notes
Big Changes for STARS in 2013-14
After a fun-filled summer of braving bounce houses, roller
coasters and competitive outdoor sports with our students, it’s almost time for the kids to return back to school, and for the STARS Afterschool Enrichment Program to resume. Currently, the STARS program staff is working fervently to plan an awesome program year for STARS participants and their families. STARS is especially excited to announce its expansion of the afterschool program to three days a week, with a Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday schedule for the upcoming school year. Thanks to a very generous grant from the Georgia Department of Human Services, the STARS program is finally able to offer participants three days of the afterschool program that they all enjoy attending so much. Program classes will continue to focus on the Expanded Core Curriculum, which is the body of knowledge and skills that blind and visually impaired children need in order to ensure their independence and future success. Beginning on September 17th, students will have access to academic tutoring and homework assistance offered by the STARS afterschool staff and volunteers. Students will also benefit from new classes, such as Vision and Me, which is designed to help familiarize students with their eye conditions, and teach them how to properly advocate for themselves. The 2013-2014 school year is sure to be an incredible year for the STARS program and its participants, as we are elated about all of the new and exciting changes that are scheduled to take place. Registration for the afterschool program is currently open, with a deadline on August 30th for guaranteed transportation services. For additional information regarding the STARS program, including registration or volunteering, please contact Teri Quinn, STARS Director, at (404) 602-4371
STARS Celebrates the Class of 2013
As a blind or visually impaired student in today’s competitive classroom, hard work and perseverance are absolutely necessary in order to achieve a high school diploma. According to statistics reported by the National Federation for the Blind in 2011, only approximately 45% of blind and visually impaired students around the nation earn a high school diploma. With that being said, the STARS program was very proud to honor its 2013 high school graduates.
This year’s 2013 graduates were as follows:
Aracely Rosillo – Jonesboro High School (not pictured)
Brandon Soncoeur – Lithonia High School (pictured right)
Mykeal Donald – Banneker High School (pictured left)
Richard Lane, Jr. – Sprayberry High School (not pictured)
Richard Sexton – Parkview High School (pictured center)
STARS would like to extend a very special thank you to the CVI Alumni Association for their generous gift of $200 to each graduate this year. It is truly because of their support that STARS is able to host its annual graduation brunch.
Student Featured in Gwinnett Daily Post
12-year-old Not Letting Blindness Keep Her Out of Pool. That was the title of the article written about McClain H., a visually impaired student and swim athlete from Gwinnett County. Although she is still relatively new to the STARS program, McClain has already been identified as the one to watch because of her endearing personality and her amazing talents in the swimming pool. Already at the age of 12, McClain is currently training competitively in the hopes of one day qualifying for the adult Paralympic swim team. Serving as an inspiration to others in her community, both in and out of the pool, McClain is the perfect example of what our blind and visually impaired youth can achieve with proper accommodations and the support of those around them. For this talented young lady, the possibilities are endless, so from now on she will forever have the STARS family cheering in her corner.
National Braille Challenge Winner
Just like any proud parent, the STARS program is always pleased to hear about the accomplishments of its participants. Most recently, STARS was exceedingly happy to learn of Kendra Holloway’s big win at the 2013 National Braille Challenge competition in Los Angeles, CA. Since her win in LA, Kendra has been featured in several news interviews including on Fox 5, CBS News, as well as in The Champion Newspaper. So not only is Kendra an all-around braille whiz kid, but she’s also our newest local celebrity. When asked about her experience at the competition during her recent interview with Fox 5, Kendra stated, “I felt like I was doing my best...It was nice.” Well, STARS certainly agrees that Kendra did a great job, and we are so very impressed with all that she has accomplished.
A Lovely Retreat at Camp Twin Lakes
In spite of the financial adversity that challenged the Center this past spring, the STARS program had to press on in order to ensure that its middle and high school participants could still have their annual retreat at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA. Although the retreat is typically a full weekend event from Friday to Sunday, it needed to be condensed to a single day this year in an effort to cut costs. Regardless, the STARS 2013 retreat turned out to be a huge success. With a theme focused on fitness and nutrition, students kept active from sunup to sundown while participating in a variety of activities, including canoeing, rock wall climbing, and even hosting their own radio DJ session. Keeping with tradition, to close out the event participants enjoyed an outdoor barbecue before heading into the gym for a live dance party. By the end of the night, all who were in attendance were completely exhausted, but the bonding experience with their peers and staff was certainly worthwhile.
Mark your calendars and be sure to RSVP for:
Tuesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 29
What: STARS Open House/Registration
Where: Center for the Visually Impaired, STARS Activity Room
Time: 4:00p.m. – 6:00p.m.
The deadline for STARS registration for afterschool is Friday, August 30th. However, parents will be given a final opportunity to get their students registered before the deadline during the open house dates listed above. Attendance at STARS Open House is not required, but highly suggested for new participants and those needing to get their paperwork in before 8/30/13.
To RSVP: Email Teri Quinn at , or call (404) 602-4371.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
What: First Day of STARS Afterschool
Where: Center for the Visually Impaired, STARS Activity Room
Time: 3:00p.m.—7:00p.m.
The STARS Afterschool Enrichment Program is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, 9/17, at 3pm. This year the after school program will run 3 days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Please Note: Afterschool on Wednesdays ends at 6pm.
Friday, October 25, 2013
What: STARS Fright Night/Haunted House
Where: Center for the Visually Impaired, STARS Activity Room
Time: 7:00p.m.—9:30p.m.
Cost: Free for STARS participants; Adults (18+) $2/pp; Children $1/pp
Come join us for some frightening fun at our annual haunted house event. It gets better every year, so this year is sure to be a fright fest all the way. As the event date approaches, additional details will be provided.
To RSVP: Email Teri Quinn at , or call (404) 602-4371.