The one lesson that I recall everyday from my experience with MassSTAR is "Those who can, should."  I believe that we have a responsibility to our fellow people, wherever they may be scattered about this great green earth of ours, to do what our talents and abilities allow us to do to make an equitable, just society.  As high school students, we all wonder what can one person do to make any kind of lasting difference, and what MassSTAR does, is bring together students to realize that you're not just one person who wants to leave the world a little brighter; there are a lot of people who just haven't found each other yet. Your mind is pushed beyond its regular patterns of thinking, ideas come alive, and you begin to ask yourself "Why can't it be me?"  It's no longer, "someone will fix that" or "someday things will be different," but more "what can I do to fix that?" and "what can I do to make that situation better?"  It still amazes me every year what incredible ideas can come out when you bring a diverse group of young people together.  So very different in geography, gender, race, class, interests, and many other ways, but none of those matters, because they all with had same thought: I can, so I should.  I have confidence, and so do my fellow MassSTAR alumni, that I'll eventually figure it out.  They'll certainly be the first ones I call when I do.

Before MassSTAR I was a major slacker, just doing enough work to get by and never really putting in my true potential. I don’t really understand what happened, but something “clicked” when I went to the 2001 conference. My eyes were widened to a whole new horizon of opportunities. I realized that all I had to do was try and that I should appreciate what I have because there were so many others with less. There was no reason to not put my best into what I did. When I went back, to school I realized my full potential and went from a C student to A’s and B’s and eventually became a straight “A” student. During the rest of high school I got more involved with the community and continued to work with MassSTAR. I participated in the seminars as a junior facilitator, trying my best to inspire other students the way I was. I helped raise money for the seminar, and volunteered in charity walks, food drives, and soup kitchens all with the alumni association. Realizing my true potential from the seminar, I applied to Northeastern University and was accepted into their doctorate pharmacy program. Now I am in my 5th year of pharmacy school, currently working at Beth Israel.

MassSTAR is one of the integral components in my life.  In 2003, I attended the MassSTAR conference as a representative of HudsonHigh School. MassSTAR put my potential on a plate and asked me “whatcha gonna do now?”  With the aid of this program I participated in various conferences, internships, and student activities during my high school career and gained invaluable experiences.   In addition to putting together service projects and participating in conferences as an alumna, I have truly been able to spread my enthusiasm and passion for service though my college experience  I am entering my third year at Northeastern University; currently majoring in Biology with a concentration in Marine Biology.  

In 2006, I became and orientation leader and currently I am a senior staff member within the orientation program.  MassSTAR has laid the first bricks for my path to leadership and excellence. The friendship and ties I have created are unbreakable.  MassSTAR alumni are the most amazing people I have had the pleasure of knowing and intend on strengthening these friendships for a lifetime.

There is only one word to describe Mass STAR. The word that comes into mind is amazing. I have been a part of Mass Star since 2005 where I first arrived as a delegate. First coming in I was a very shy and conservative high school sophomore. After the weekend, I became a completely different person. Because of Mass STAR I am now the loud, outgoing and somewhat crazy person that I am now and I would not want it any other way.

I found some of the closest friends I have ever had through Mass STAR rather than the people I have spent 10 years of school with. I still keep in touch with a good portion of Mass STAR delegates from my year as well as those that I have met during my time on staff. This is such a great program and I continue to meet new people every year and form new friendships that will last a lifetime. In my opinion, words cannot do this program justice.

Crazygabby has been my email address since the 7th grade because that is how people described me. When the 2005 alum from my school described MassSTAR as these crazy people attacking you with high energy once you leave your car, I knew right then that MassSTAR was for me. In high school, I already did many activities and each activity I wanted to become the future president, captain, or chair that would keep the wonderful activity going. I had one concern, “How do I be a great leader?” I was excited, yet nervous about making friends or just a fool of myself.

When I actually arrived at MassSTAR and started the icebreakers, it all changed. I realized everyone didn’t know anyone and we were all very nervous. Also I would definitely not make a fool of myself since the staff members were acting so crazy. In one day, I did so much, learned so much, and had so much fun. It’s an experience that is so hard to describe with words, you have to just be there and experience it yourself. The very next school day I went to my advisors from my school with numerous ideas we could use the next year. That day back in June 2006 was amazing with so many good relationships made especially the wonderful relationship I have with Brandon Cardoza. I feel indebted to MassSTAR for all the wonderful skills and opportunities it gave me, so I volunteer to payback the endless debt that I owe to MassSTAR.

I have been involved with MassSTAR for the past two years. I have gained so much from being a MassSTAR delegate and being a part of the alumni association. Through the many workshops that I have experience during the conference of my sophomore year (2007), I was able to bring all that I learned back to my school to show my peers what MassSTAR was all about. 

One of MassSTAR's main purposes is to promote responsibility among high school students. In understanding this concept, I accepted the responsibility of becoming vice president of the alumni association. For the past year we ahve been working diligently to provide aid to those in the association who ar doing projects and need help, as well as preparing for the upcoming conference at Lasell College. MassSTAR has become such a large part of my life and I can truly say that, I see all my fellow alummni as part of my extended family. I promote MassSTAR to the fullest in my school and my community so that everyone is aware of who we are and what we have done and are capable of doing. Heading off to college this fall, I intend to continue my efforts with MassSTAR to help change the lives of many students, as MassSTAR has changed my life for the better.

MassSTAR has and always will be such an integral part of my life. It came at a time in my high school career when I was beginning to take a more active role in my school. MassSTAR formed me to be able to take on such roles that empowered me to take actions and leadership that could in return help others. MassSTAR has not only just become a group that I have become a part of, but a family. When I first began with massSTAR, it never dawned on me that there were so many more students that were just like me and wanted to do something to make a difference. With all these students, such great ideas and theories came about on how to enhance this world we live in. In such love and excitement of finding other students with same interests and goals as myself, I ahve stayed strongly involved by being a part of MassSTAR's alumni association. Through this, I am now lucky to call all those students with the same hope as I, my friends, my brothers, and my sisters. Together, as a team and a family, we empower leadership and citizenships in sophomore students by working togther and volunteering to help make this conference possible.

After MassSTAR, I have found myself to be more involved then I was, and taking more of an active role in my school, church, and community. It has entirced me to be that person to take a stand and try to fix the problems we face.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world…indeed it the only thing that ever has.” This quote was the hallmark of my MassSTAR Conference. MassSTAR is one of the integral components in my high school life. In 2008, I attended the MassSTAR Conference as a representative of Danvers High School. After the initial awkwardness of the “enthusiastic” chant, I grew to make invaluable friendships, further improve my leadership abilities, and get involved in the community. With the aid of this program I participated in various conferences, internships, and student activities thus far in my high school career and gained invaluable experiences. 

I am currently in my junior year at Danvers High School; I am planning on attending a four year undergraduate college (which one, I don’t know) and hopefully a masters degree too. Currently, my heart is set to purse biomedical engineering in college and beyond. MassSTAR has laid the first bricks for my path to leadership and excellence. In 2009, I will be volunteering at the MassSTAR Conference, along with staying active in the Alumni Association. MassSTAR has taught me something great, and something I will never forget: Take pride in how far you have come, have faith in how far you can go.


After being involved with MassSTAR for a year, I’d have to say my life has changed for the better!  I was nominated for the ’08 conference last year, and I almost turned it down to go to a concert.  But I am so happy that I accepted the offer and gave MassSTAR a chance.  

I love everyone that’s associated with MassSTAR, because we all share the same positive attitude.  It’s so uplifting to be able to talk with other people about your dreams for the future society.  Before MassSTAR, my opinions were muted.  But at the ’08 conference, I saw everyone, including myself, share and build upon what they thought needed to be helped or changed in the world around us.  As the secretary of the Alumni Association, I am a regular attendee of the monthly meetings, where we plan upcoming fundraisers, book collections, food drives, you name it.  I am looking forward to the upcoming ’09 conference and am hoping to be a Junior Facilitator!

What I got the most out of this association is the enthusiasm towards doing service for our community.  I used to be resentful towards community service and only did the basic requirements for my school.  Now, when I see an appealing opportunity to help others, I’m all for it.  I’ve done five times the requirement of service that my school needs this year, and have loved every minute of it.