Star Power is a big success
Confidence and mastery are inextricably linked in a continuous cycle, each helping the other to grow.
Unfortunately, many students at Reitz High School give up when homework, sports, and task in his or her daily life become challenging because the lack of self-esteem.
Star Power has reached out to twelve students at Reitz, in order to help reinforce his or her confidence and sense of self worth.
Photo provided by Darren Harmon
Because without self-assurance, students will not reach his or her full capability.
“Star Power is a leadership organization which focuses as a duration to drugs and alcohol,” said Mr. James Kuebler, English Teacher.
Star Power however soon will be “Teen Power”, but this action has not been taken into effect yet.
“The peer-based TEENPOWER Camps for high school and middle school students provide ongoing interactive initiatives to prevent the experimentation, use, and addictions of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco by young people.
During this fun and life-changing camp, youth increase their knowledge of drug prevention.
From collaborative relationships with youth from diverse backgrounds, increase self-esteem, and strengthen leadership and teambuilding skills, according to their literature.
“We approached twelve kids here at Reitz, and asked if they wanted to participate in an organization to build confidence and because Williams, Harmon and I saw hidden leadership that needed to be awoken,” said Kuebler.
The students experienced activities, and public speakers, which help him and her learn the art of cooperation, friendship and the focuses of teamwork.
While experiencing everlasting memories through Star Power, students also are more focused, confident, and more brave.
With the help of the two-day trip, which was held September twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth, to Camp Carson, which help commit each student to defining their lives and become more dedicated to the power of strong relationships.
“While at the camp, the students had a public speaker, Sheriff Eric Williams. Williams was one of the speakers to encourage them with self confidence. The students also went through challenges to gain confidence, such as the alpine climb,” said Kuebler.
Camp Carson is a facility where they take in a lot of groups, clubs and organizations of any sort, to provide clear thinking for kids and teens.
When students were approached by Mrs. Estee Williams, Mrs. Paula Harmon, and Mr. James Kuebler, they were informed about Star Power and Camp Carson.
“For more than 65 years, YMCA Camp Carson has been a place of powerful, positive, life changing adventure for young people. Making new friends, learning new skills and developing confidence are all just a small part of Carson camping tradition. Camp Carson strives to develop the ‘sprit, mind, and body’ of every camper,” sited from Camp Carson WebPage.
“The kids worked so well together, they didn’t complain, or cut each other off, or put themselves down like most groups. We were told that our group was one of the best groups at Camp Carson,” said Harmon.
Star Power was an excellent atmosphere for these students.
The program was sought out to train potential leaders at school with a diversity of kids working their best to become better leaders.
The Reitz High School Star Power team were one of the better groups at Camp Carson.
Throughout all of their activities they were never giving up on one another. In one challenge called “the wall”, every student made it over successfully as a team.
The wall was a wooden wall, with a platform on the back, it was designed for students to help each other over the wall without any help from material possessions, They were forced to use themselves and team work.
“I saw our group during activities trying to talk to everyone else from the different schools, and it was almost hard for them because students from other schools were not trying to communicate. It was like the other schools choice, the popular ones, or the student council to take part in the Star Power,” said Harmon.
Activities at Camp Carson were meant to challenge Star Power students and were also meant to build better leaders.
During the trip, the students had many programs; they heard guest speakers Jeff Korb, Dr. Dan Schenk, and Eric Williams.
They also took part in activities such as “The Amazing Race”, skits, low ropes, night hike, zip line, boats, basketball, volleyball, and games, which helped them find their leadership within themselves.
During the activities students like Jake Jones, Josh Weber, and Nate Tinner, really stepped out of their comfort zone and showed excellent leadership skills.
By working together in group activities, every student acted as a whole team, like during the Abilene tower, the wall, and many other activities.
Over all, each student in Star Power is using their time into becoming a better leader for our nation.
“They were able to learn how to work with different back grounds and form a team with a common goal in mind. The goal was to provide drug free activities for the feeder schools,” said Harmon.
“The twelve students are setting up a proposal that consists of a small kid’s carnival that we will be trying to have up by April, to teach children about alcohol and drug abuse, by having different booths, dunking booths, face painting and a D.A.R.E officers and dogs, with local music as entertainment,” said Kuebler.
Helfrich Park and Reitz High School proposal for a kid’s carnival will help teach the Star Power members to prepare for leadership in their future, and to help younger children be set on the right path for leadership and maintain their goals.
‘PANTHER PALOOZA’ the kid’s carnival is held for people through all ages, but is directed toward the feeder schools all over the tri-state, which is held as an early, prevention program.
Look out for more information about ‘PANTHER PALOOZA’ in the near future, to take part in avoiding involvement in drugs and alcohol.
Star Power is one of the most dynamic early experiences with community leadership, and those experiences are empowering, encouraging, educational, and inspiring.
The students of Reitz High School learned not to wait to make an impact in our community, our region, or our world.
With the help of Star Power Reitz High School students really step into action with being leaders of today.
