First Star Scholars kick off another academic year as they head back to their Academy!
After successful Summer Academies, our scholars are returning for another exciting year! We're thrilled they are finally meeting in-person again, and we can't wait to see what the new school year has in store!
Kent State University Academy
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Our First Star KSU Academy is recruiting! If you have scholars in the Kent community, you can learn more on their website! ([link removed])
National STEAM Academy
Join us as we explore the Science of Nutrition with Susana Meléndez, RD LDN, and do hands-on activities with our curriculum partners, STEAM Forward! Academy. We can't wait to see you there!
RSVP by October 6th to get a STEAM kit!
Sign-Up for STEAM Tech Talks! ([link removed])
While you wait for the next Tech Talk, follow us on Instagram @firststarsteam ([link removed]) and catch up on September's session: The Science of Sports on our YouTube channel!
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Check out how we kicked off Season Two of our First Star National STEAM Academy Tech Talks with Dr. Sophia Nimphius, Professor of Human Performance, who discussed the science of sports, and AlexisAyeee, Variety Streamer, who shared about e-sport gaming!
2021 Senior Graduation Report
View the Full 2021 Graduation Report ([link removed])
Northern CA Initiative
After the launch of our First Star Sacramento State Academy ([link removed]) , we were grateful for the opportunity to expand our virtual services in the Northern California region to other high school and transition-aged youth. In addition to participating in our STEAM Academy programming, our NorCal scholars can also complete the Mana Money School ([link removed]) financial course. We wouldn't be able to serve these incredible students without our amazing partners: Butte College's Inspiring Scholars Program ([link removed]) , Butte County's Independent Living Program ([link removed]) , Stanford Sierra Youth & Families Resilient Youth Speak Out (RYSO) Program ([link removed]) , and Walter S. Johnson Foundation ([link removed]) . We look forward to celebrating our newest First Star Scholars' successes!
Alumni Program
During the 2020-2021 academic year, the Alumni Program provided 54 micro-grants to support our Alumni during the ongoing pandemic for needs including education, health, food, employment, temporary housing, and technology. The Alumni Program and micro-grant recipients want to extend our gratitude and give a HUGE THANKS to the donors who've contributed to our micro-grant fund. We wouldn't have been able to fulfill this many requests without you!
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @firststar_alumni ([link removed])
If you'd like to support our Scholars directly, please direct donations to the Scholar-Alumni Micro-Grant Fund. Thank you in advance!
DONATE TO FIRST STAR TODAY! ([link removed])
Scholar Advisory Committee
Our First Star Scholar Advisory Committee was very active during the 2020-2021 school year. Their themes were Social Justice and Foster Care Awareness as they tackled two big events: "The Scholar Voice Town Hall" in January 2021 and "The Big 100" which was a campaign during Foster Care Awareness month in May.
Follow and view on Instagram: @fs.scholaradvisorycommittee ([link removed])
This year's theme will focus on allowing scholars to express their hopes for our country and communities. Monthly meetings with scholars from all Academies across the nation will culminate in the spring with a visit to Washington DC to engage legislators on issues facing foster youth.
National Back to Academies Symposium
Our First Star network, including Academy staff and the national team, gathered on Thursday, September 23 for a half-day full of programmatic collaboration, best practices, lessons learned over the last year, and updates on what's to come for the organization. As we prepare for another unpredictable year, one thing is certain, the First Star family will be supporting each other along the way.
September In the News:
Hispanic Heritage Month Community Highlight: Joey Reyes
Reyes was the first Latinx man voted into Union’s Board of Education ([link removed]) elected earlier in 2021. He told FOX23 that he wants to represent the Latinx community in the district and let those who look like him know that anything is possible. Reyes also started the non-profit James Mission ([link removed]) in 2012, which is an organization that helps children in the foster care system as well as families in need. Since its inception, James Mission has become a pillar in the Tulsa community.
How Daisy Gonzales went from foster care to the top of the nation's largest system of higher education
Daisy Gonzales, California’s new acting community colleges chancellor ([link removed]) , shares her story of hope and resilience. She knows that the experience of being in foster care is something that people hide or don’t share. “I know it’s still a stigma … but it is an incredible story,” Gonzales said. “Only in this country can you go from foster care to leading the largest system of public higher education in one lifetime.”
Houston teen who had 19 foster care placements gets help in time for college
Just last year alone, 179 youth in Harris County aged out of the foster care system. From there, it can be a difficult journey to transition into adulthood but there are programs aimed to help, and one of those programs has led to success for local teen Shane Cravens ([link removed]) . He is tenacious, stayed focused, graduated from high school, and enrolled in classes at Houston Community College. He read more about his resilient journey.
Stay Connected!
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