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Photo Credit: Image Studios, Appleton
STAR (Scholars on Target to Achieve Results) is an initiative working to build equitable educational opportunities for Black Scholars in the Fox Cities.
The STAR Team serves to advocate, mentor, connect, and guide Black scholars. STAR is led by Kayla McNamara, Senior Director of Targeted Support Services.
The Team serves as mentors and connect with youth 1:1 and in groups during the school day at school site and at after school programming in community. They also work to provide additional support within the school structure among existing systems of support for students to further ensure student success and goal attainment.
Working with key school staff through the Check & Connect Intervention Model and Developmental Relationships Framework, STAR ensures that the needs/opportunities of Black students are identified and made accessible.
Appleton Area School District
Courtney Hardin (STAR Coordinator), James Madison & Einstein Middle School
chardin@bgclubfoxvalley.org
Tanner Bump (STAR Coordinator), Wilson Middle School
tbump@bgclubfoxvalley.org
Kaleidoscope Academy
Irineo Medina (STAR Assistant Director), Appleton East High School
imedina@bgclubfoxvalley.org
Bri’aun Hollie (STAR Advisor), Appleton East High School
bhollie@bgclubfoxvalley.org
Sherman Calloway (STAR Assistant Director), Appleton West High School
scalloway@bgclubfoxvalley.org
Enya Roach (STAR Advisor), Appleton West High School
eroach@bgclubfoxvalley.org
Dennetra Williams (STAR Assistant Director), Appleton North High School
dwilliams@bgclubfoxvalley.org
Jessica Johnson (STAR Advisor), Appleton North High School
jjohnson@bgclubfoxvalley.org
STAR Impact Reports
In the Media
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- 11/16/21: NBC-26, Noelle Friel: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley ‘STAR’ program helps students reach for the stars
- 03/01/18: Community Foundation for the Fox Valley, The Loop: Achievement Gap Under Attack with STAR Power
- 06/13/18: Community Foundation for the Fox Valley, The Loop: STAR Program To Focus On Opportunity
- 06/21/18: United Way Fox Cities Blog: Inspiring Students to Reach for the Stars
- 11/02/18: WHBY. Fresh Take with Hayley Tenpas: LIFE in Motion: Student Performance
Funding
Funding for the STAR program is made possible by generous support including gifts from Ascension, the Appleton Area School District, United Way Fox Cities, Thrivent, ThedaCare Community Health Action Team Fund*, the Bright Ideas Fund*, and the Basic Needs Giving Partnership Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region supported by the U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs, the J. J. Keller Foundation, Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region*, and other community partners.
The STAR initiative is a collaboration involving the Appleton Area School District, Lawrence University, St. Norbert College, Fox Valley Technical College, University of Wisconsin System, African Heritage Inc., and ThedaCare. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley fulfills the role of the backbone organization.
*A fund or supporting organization located within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc.
Get Involved
Contact Kayla McNamara, Senior Director of Targeted Support Services, kmcnamara@bgclubfoxvalley.org for more information.
