This school year, Greater Johnstown High School offers students who are planning a career with the military or  who want leadership opportunities to be in the STAR program as a club activity. STAR stands for Students Taking Active Roles, including leadership, responsibility, community service projects, and teamwork building skills.

Sergeant Ramos, one of the club’s facilitators, explains the purpose of the club. “STAR provides an overview of the U.S. Army star club program, and as a partnership with local high schools, it provides students with leadership and character development.”

Zach Dabbs, a senior at GJHS, is planning on a future in the army and is also involved in the STAR club. “I believe that the STAR club is a great program for us students because it teaches leadership skills and more discipline. It also gives students another perspective on a career they may be interested in.”

The concept is to help students develop skills that will enable and encourage them to take active roles in their own life, within families, their school and community. The goal of this club is to help students to graduate high school and to create enriching post-secondary options.

The club has a variety of age groups and grades. Megan Hulburt, a sophomore at GJHS, states, “The STAR program has made me a better leader and changed my attitude. I learned to be  more respectful than what I was before this program. It changes students’ outlooks on everything.”

This program provides instruction as well as structure and mentorship from the Army soldiers. They help with time  management, study skills,values-based leadership, conflict resolution, and team building.

The STAR club holds meetings every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The participants are split up into different platoons, and for each day, there is a different platoon sergeant, leader, and company commander. In total, there are 67 students involved. All of the club mentors agree that it is a huge turnout, and they are proud of those who are choosing to participate.

Next school year, GJHS plans on making the club an elective, optional for students in all grades. In the class, the club mentors will teach math, history, and more of the main courses students must learn in high school for credit.

Greater Johnstown High School is one of the only schools in the Cambria County area that has a STAR club, and the students involved say they feel fortunate to be part of a program that brings positivity to the school.

“It brings students closer to the community, to make a bigger impact,” Dabbs says.