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"Student leaderships are a way to get the experience employers are always looking for. You're working side-by-side with professionals and getting a taste of what your future might hold." —Stacy Gausman, TPAS alumna
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STAR

Trollwood Performing Arts school’s national award winning STAR (Students At Risk) program was formally organized in 1998 to give an extra boost to kids with extraordinary challenges in their lives. STAR targets students with learning disabilities, behavior difficulties or those who might not otherwise be able to participate in TPAS programs due to poverty, family situation or refugee status. STAR helps get these students involved by providing both adult and peer mentors, academic support, tuition assistance, meals and transportation. STAR focuses on goal setting, positive personal expression, and skill development in the arts for participants. Comments from community partners who refer students for this program, TPAS instructors and mentors, and most importantly from the STAR participants themselves indicate that the program is a resounding success.

“Trollwood gave me confidence and hope.  It gave me something outside of high school hangups to believe in.” -Sara Kuhn, TPAS alumna

STAR participants are integrated into all classes and performance programs of TPAS and are not identified as such to the general TPAS student body. This is a conscious effort to give all TPAS participants an equal opportunity to engage and mature in positive personal expression and cooperation-hallmarks of the total TPAS experience.

If you feel you (or someone you know) might benefit by becoming a STAR participant, please contact the TPAS Executive Director at (701)241-4799.