Alumni Testimonials
Oneal Howell '01, Avon High School '03, Northeastern University '09
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.
Kimberly Banks '03, Hudson High School '05, Northeastern University '10.
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.
Brandon Cardoza '05, Westport High School '07, UMass Dartmouth '11
There is only one word that can describe a program like this. Amazing! The MassSTAR Leadership program is one that will stick out in every attendee’s mind when they think back of all the things they did in high school. I can proudly say that I am one of those delegates that arrived to the MassSTAR conference scared and unsure of what would happen. Within hours I learned much more and bonded closer with people then I had with my classmates in 10 years.
I was the kid that was harassed, teased, and bullied in school at all ages. No one in school was like me. I was the one with all the big ideas but no one was willing to help me. At the conference I met people who offered to help rather than waiting to be asked. It was an amazing feeling to finally meet people who were like me, people who wanted to make a difference. This program gave me a feeling that words cannot even come close to describing. Within three days the conference was able to change my life and drove me to give back to the community.
Emily-Anne Patt '00, East Bridgewater H.S. '02, Providence College '06
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.