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Fashionable jeans, dresses and suits lined the long blue velvet runway as students from Scholars Transitioning and Realizing Success, gathered for a group picture at the Rising Stars award gala on Saturday night in the Creveling lounge.

The students from STARS had prepared for their moment on the walkway for six weeks as part of an enhancement series that teaches them to work on self-esteem and confidence. 

“We are here to encourage youth to do positive things,” said Theresa Reed, educational adviser of foster and kinship care program. 

The gala was held to raise funds for the Foster Kinship Care Education and Independent Living programs, but the focus of the night was the performing students and winners of the rising star awards.

STARS is a support network on the campus that provides one- on- one assistance to current and former foster or probation youths. 

The awards are given to students whose good citizenship is often overlooked. They are not necessarily high achievers but with some acknowledgement can be motivated to accomplish amazing goals according to Reed.

“I don’t have a high grade average but I still have opportunities,” said award winner Jessica Chandler, psychology.

Awards were given to four students, Selenia Lagos, psychology, Jessica Chandler, psychology, Dejane Cooper, child development, Devon Johnson, health and communications.  “It was an honor to be chosen,” said Johnson.

Praise wasn’t given only to the students and performers.  “The success of this program is due to Theresa Reed and the work she does every day,” said Vice President of Education Robert Miller.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino’s, and State Senator Carol Liu’s office for the work done in the STARS program presented certificates. 

Performers and award winners are all foster care or former foster care children. “Keep God first, he can take you places you never dreamed of,” said Trevon Blackwood, a 15- year -old student and one of the night’s performers.

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