STARS Story by Aba Overcomer

A Wrap Up of Academic S.T.A.R.S.

This summers Academic S.T.A.R.S. program came to an end this past Friday with its
Closing Ceremonies. Academic S.T.A.R.S. (Students Achieving and Reaching for
Success) is a transition and retention program designed for newly enrolled AfricanAmerican, Latino and Native American freshman at Kent State University.
The annual six-week summer program hosted by the Student Multicultural Center gives
high school students the opportunity to further themselves academically, professionally,
and personally through courses and various workshops and activities.
Heres a wrap-up of this summers activities:
STARS of the week
Every week, two S.T.A.R.S. students are given awards to recognize them for their
dedication. The Ujima STAR of the Week Award is awarded to the student who shows a
great amount of dedication and passion for his peers and community. The Academic
STAR of the Week Award is awarded to the student who excels in assigned coursework
inside and out of the classroom.

STARS Jared Jenkins and Tonia Dumson-Dillard by Aba Overcomer

Minute by Minute

Minute-by-Minute is a self-motivational poem designed to remind students of a happier

time throughout their college career. It is used as a self-reflection tool to encourage
students to be S.T.A.R.S. after their time in the program has come to an end. Every
summer, the S.T.A.R.S. program class creates their own minute by minute. Heres a
video of this years class step dance:

Video by Aba Overcomer

Closing Ceremony
At the end of the six weeks, the S.T.A.R.S. put on a final ceremony for family and
faculty. Just as every year, this years Rite of Passage ceremony was filled with tears of
joy as students demonstrated all they have learned over the course of the six weeks.
The ceremony began with a short video clip showing what the S.T.AR.S did over their
time in the program. As the music continued, the S.T.A.R.S were led into the room by
their
mentors
to
answer
questions
from
family
members.

Photo by Amber Jones.

The questions were presented by their parents, but asked by the council members. This
happens because the leaders of STARS did not want the STARS students to be distracted
by their parents.
This went on for about 30 to 45 minutes. Then after that, they were brought in again with
the masks that they created during their six weeks. They were then ordered the take of
their masks and address their parents with heartfelt messages. As the S.T.A.R.S students
began to speak, the sound of tears began to fill the room with both student and family
members.

Photo by Amber Jones

In the end, the S.T.A.R.S students sang, performed their minutes by minutes poem again
and as well as performing an African dance ensemble.

Photo by Amber Jones

Photo by Amber Jones

Photo by Amber Jones

Photo by Amber Jones