This last Thursday evening, I helped out with the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs’ Youth conference called STARS Spring Events. Students prepare various demonstrations and performances, along with participating in various problems solving and skill events, to show what they’ve learned in their Alternative schools. One of the events is LifeSmarts, a program supported by the Attorney General’s office that promotes knowledge of consumer and regulatory information necessary in adult life (or some such) in a kind of ‘knowledge bowl’ contest. Students compete against each other, in teams of four, from various Alternative schools in the state. I volunteered to be a Question Master, which means I become one of several Alex Trebek types who ask the questions and MC the game.
It was fun and a pleasure to participate. I was impressed with how much these students have learned about what must seem to them to be arcane bits of information, like “What does the acronym ‘LASER’ mean?” Or “When was the first Communications Satellite (ECHO 1) used?” This last question I found interesting because the ECHO satellites were produced in Northfield by the GT Schjeldahl Company. I can remember as a kid watching it cross the night sky, knowing it was made in my hometown.
STARS, which stands for Success, Teamwork, Achievement, Recognition, Self-Esteem, a name students chose themselves, was started by Wally Campbell, who is retiring this year. He started STARS as an organization for students attending alternative schools in Minnesota and it has now expanded to include three other states. Minnesota students participate in three major events each year; The Fall Leadership Conference, Legislative Day and the Spring Events Conference, as Wally says, “to showcase the many talents of Minnesota’s youth.” Here’s what Wally has to say as retires:
Since 1976 I have been in alternative education, working in a small program helping students see the choices that they have. Watching them change the direction they are going in life. Watching as they turn failures into successes and begin to dream of a better life and reach out for it. I have seen the pride of staff in the accomplishments of their students. I remember watching students who had never won anything before in their lives receive awards and certificates with tears in their eyes and wiping a way my own tears as I watched. I looked forward to the Fall and Spring Conferences and the opportunity to see many friends from different programs and meeting new staff participating for the first time. For me my years in teaching have been about relationships. For this and all the wonderful opportunities and memories you have given me.
Pictured here with Wally are some of the current State Leaders and MAAP officers,