STAR SCHOLARSHIP | STAR
Shifts in Perspective Help STAR Students Shine During Pandemic by Sheri Bailey, Vice Chair, P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Board of Trustees The coronavirus pandemic impacted everyone, but perhaps none more so than students in their final year of school. Sporting events, drama productions, musical performances and club activities were cancelled. Milestones such as graduation, prom, participation in conferences or overseas trips did not take place as envisioned. Volunteer opportunities were often limited. But the young are resilient and innovative. By shifting their perspective, many of last year’s STAR applicants rose above the challenges created by the pandemic to demonstrate leadership in their school and community. “Onl y in darkness can you see the stars” – Rev. Dr. Ma r t i n Lu the r K i ng , J r.
Tamar Sella Sponsored by Chapter L Cincinnati, Ohio Tamar learned to sew in Girl Scouts. Her passion is converting thrift store clothing into fun, new outfits. Tamar put this talent to use during the pandemic by founding the Cincinnati Public School Mask Project. Recognizing a need, she spent hours at the sewing machine making masks for family and friends. Serving as publicity manager, she quickly recruited 45 volunteers, provided them with donated fabric and gave tutorials on how to sew the masks. As the number of masks required grew, so did the number of volunteers she recruited. Liaising with school administrators and local communities, she expanded the operation to include the entire Cincinnati School District.
Callan Randall Sponsored by Chapter PI Norwalk, Iowa When COVID-19 hit, Callan and her sister, Marin, began looking for ways to keep themselves busy. As cooking with families they knew and demonstrating how to make simple meals. Searching for content students could do during quarantine, their elementary school principal approached them about hosting a mass Zoom for students in grades 3 to 5, teaching them how to prepare and cook various is one of their passions, they began “Zooming” wanted to participate, the sisters created their own YouTube Channel called the “Quarantine Crew.” From making brownies, to sewing a button, the girls created a six-week plan that provided life-skill activities for elementary-aged students to do at home. This innovative program received an award from the local school board as well as coverage by the local news station. foods. When over 200 students indicated they
Paige Hazen Sponsored by Chapter S Washington, D.C. An avid runner, Paige found her senior cross-country season postponed due to COVID-19. Looking for a different way to engage in the running community, she created and directed a virtual 5k, 10k and half marathon race fundraiser international public health NGO – PATH. Specifically, the event proceeds went to the COVID-19 Response Fund, which partners with businesses and governments to improve testing, treating and managing the outbreak. Paige managed all aspects of the fundraiser, including promoting the race via with the proceeds of the event going to an social media, distributing race materials and working with representatives of the NGO. She also designed and ordered race merchandise. Raising over $2,000 for the fund, Paige’s ability to pivot made a difference while still engaging in her passion to run.
Stephanie Njeri Sponsored by Chapter IF Saint Louis, Missouri Stephanie volunteers with Vitendo4africa, an organization working with immigrants and refugee families in Saint Louis. When the pandemic closed schools and virtual learning became the norm, immigrant parents experienced challenges balancing work and assisting their children language barriers. Through Stephanie’s leadership and organization skills, she led a group of four high school students to launch an online Zoom tutoring program for with homework which was often impacted by students in grades 3 to 8. By helping students with homework, tutoring in math and reading, Stephanie’s problem solving led to 87 percent of the participants
indicating improved performance in their school work.
It has been said that leadership is not a position or a title, it is action and example. These STARs and their ability to shift their perspective are shining examples of true leadership during a time when many felt helpless due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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January–February 2022 | THE P.E.O. RECORD
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