Table of Contents. The STARS 2013 Red & White Ball was a Hit!

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1 Winter 2013 The STARS 2013 Red & White Ball was a Hit! The STARS annual Red & White Ball has always been a favorite of STARS participants and staff, but this year s event turned out especially fun, because all of the guests, both young and old, crowded the dance floor during their favorite tunes and filled their bellies with the delicious snacks that were provided. As always, the success of this event is due largely to the Delta Gamma Sorority, which is based on the University of Georgia campus. As part of their mission to support agencies that provide services for people with vision loss, the Delta Gammas have committed to hosting this highly anticipated annual event at no cost to the STARS program or its participants. What s truly spectacular about this sorority is that not only do they put on a great party for our STARS students every year, but these lovely ladies also volunteered their time during the ball to make sure that every guest was having an enjoyable time. Throughout the night, students and guests were made to feel welcome See Red Continued on pg. 4 Table of Contents Director s Note STARS in the Spotlight..5 Happenings in STARS...6 Upcoming Events.....8

2 Page 2 Director s Note Save these Dates! Recently, I ve received several inquiries about the dates and application deadlines for some of our upcoming spring and summer activities. Although planning is still underway, I wanted to share a sneak preview of our most popular upcoming events, including the spring retreat for teens, STARS summer camps, and the summer buddy guide program. Below are some important dates and information to keep in mind regarding these programs, so please read carefully. The STARS team will certainly be sending out additional information as the dates for each of these programs approach, but if ever you have any questions or concerns beforehand, please do not hesitate to contact me via at LQuinn@cviga.org, or by phone at (404) Important Dates to Remember for Spring/Summer STARS Spring Retreat Who: All middle and high school participants When: April 26th April 28th Location: Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA Registration Deadline: Friday, March 29th Required Parent Meeting: Saturday, April 13th STARS Summer Camps Elementary Camp (Grades K-6): May 28th June 7th Middle/High Camp (Grades 7-12): June 10th June 21st Registration Deadline: Monday, April 29th Optional Parent Meeting: Saturday, May 18th STARS Buddy Guide Program Who s Eligible: Sighted students ages Application Deadline: Friday, April 26th Training/Information Session: TBD

3 Page 3 A Bittersweet Farewell It is with great joy and sadness that we announce Lorenzo Powell, STARS Counselor/Associate, will be leaving the STARS program in early spring to begin working in the Client Services Department at CVI. Lorenzo has been working at CVI for over 12 years, and for the past 3.5 years he has served as the STARS counselor and overseer of the STARS mentor program. Students have grown extremely fond of his friendly, caring demeanor, while STARS parents greatly appreciate his exemplary knowledge and expertise in the areas of counseling youth and helping individuals learn to cope with their vision loss. Although we are very happy for Lorenzo, and certainly congratulate him for obtaining his new position, the STARS program recognizes that he will not be easily replaced. For now, Lorenzo has agreed to continue working in the STARS program until his successor is selected and assumes his present role in the STARS department. While Lorenzo is still with us in STARS, we encourage everyone to share their thanks and well wishes with him before he makes his final exit from the program.

4 Page 4 Red Continued from pg. 1 by the Delta Gammas with their warm greetings and selfless acts of kindness to our STARS participants. The 2013 Red and White Ball was truly great this year, and everyone left with a smile on their face. The STARS program would especially like to thank the Delta Gamma Sorority for all of their efforts in putting this year s event together, and for their continued support of STARS. Rebecca S. (left), parent, and her son Steven S. (right), student STARS teacher, Joan Emerson, getting dance lessons from Princess W., student STARS students, Julius L. and Kajain S. Congrats to the 2013 King and Queen Kajain S. (right) and Aracely R. (left), were surprised by their peers from the STARS afterschool program with the great honor of being voted this year s king and queen of the ball. It s no wonder why these two won, because they both have vibrant personalities and are exceptional individuals. Following their crowning, Aracely and Kajain shared a brief celebration dance on the floor. Congratulations to them both!

5 STARS in the Spotlight Page 5 A Beauty Queen in our Midst The STARS program was elated to learn that one of its very own students is an actual beauty queen. Alexandria G., a student at Georgia Academy for the Blind and longtime STARS participant, was recently named Miss Special Henry County for According to The Henry County Times, this competition is for individuals who have a mental or physical disability, and it s open to young men and women who reside in Henry, Fayette, Butts, Clayton, Rockdale and Spalding counties. Apparently, Alexandria wowed the pageant judges with her cheerful personality and a theatrical monologue for her talent. As the reigning Miss Special Henry County, Alexandria will make several appearances around the state, including riding on parade floats, attending local festivals and cruising the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Race Day. On behalf of the entire STARS program, we wish to congratulate Alexandria for her pageant win! STARS is very proud of you!

6 Page 6 Happenings in STARS Another Trip to the Symphony Photo courtesy of Brian Alli, STARS Parent and CVI Board Member In early December, on a lovely Sunday afternoon, a group of 25 STARS participants attended the performance, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Kid s Christmas. In attendance were STARS students, parents and staff members who all enjoyed a performance by the symphony s youth choir, which included holiday music and dancing in this Broadway-style mini-musical. To add to the overall fun, as what seems to be a tradition now, the group of attendees met at CVI beforehand, and then rode the MARTA train to the symphony. The STARS program would like to thank Terri Lawson, a STARS parent, who donated the tickets for this event. Terri has a daughter who attends the STARS afterschool program, and her son performs each year in the symphony s youth choir. This is the second, consecutive year that Mrs. Lawson has donated symphony tickets to the STARS program, so without her generosity this event may not have been possible.

7 Page 7 Other Happenings in STARS STARS Winter Trip to Snow Mountain From left, Lisa S. (volunteer), Bryce D. (STARS student), A.J. (sibling), Lorrie R. (volunteer), and Mao U. (STARS student) Beginning in 2010, in an effort to add a new and exciting activity to the STARS annual calendar, the program decided to create an annual holiday fieldtrip to Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park. Snow Mountain is a seasonal attraction that is built directly in the center of Stone Mountain during the winter months. In preparation for the brisk temperatures and snow play, students and staff dressed in their warmest gear and made sure to have a pair of gloves or mittens handy. Participants enjoyed 2 full hours of multiple snow tubing rides that go bumpity bump down an icy manmade mountain slope. Additionally, students had their share of fun making snowmen and having snowball fights in the Snow Zone play area, where large machines dispensed real snow. The day was topped off by a warm cup of hot cocoa, and a tasty meal from the park s eatery. As always, this event was a ton of fun!

8 Page 8 Friday, February 22, 2013 Upcoming STARS Events Mark your calendars and be sure to RSVP for: Cost: STARS Skate Party Sparkles of Smyrna 666 Smyrna Hill Drive Atlanta, GA :00p.m. 9:00p.m. FREE for STARS Students $8/pp for parents and siblings Please join us at Sparkles Skating Rink for an ice skating party! All ages are welcome to attend, and students are encouraged to bring a family member. For additional details, or if you have questions please contact Teri Quinn. Please RSVP no later than February 20th. To RSVP: Teri Quinn at LQuinn@cviga.org, or call (404) Friday, March, 22, 2013 Cost: STARS Annual Casino Night Center for the Visually Impaired, STARS Activity Room 7:00p.m. 9:30p.m. Free for Everyone! Bring your game face for this Friday night social, because we will be hosting our annual casino night, complete with games, prizes, food, and fun. All ages are welcome to attend, and students are encouraged to bring their friends and family members along. Please RSVP no later than Friday, March 15th. To RSVP: Teri Quinn at LQuinn@cviga.org, or call (404) Thursday, March 29, 2013 STARS Afterschool Program Closing Ceremony Center for the Visually Impaired, Bell South Conference Room 5:00p.m. 7:00p.m. Parents, family members and friends, please join us in celebrating the end of a very successful afterschool program year. Come enjoy the creative performances that our students have prepared, and watch the STARS students earn awards for their achievements in the afterschool program. To RSVP: Teri Quinn at LQuinn@cviga.org, or call (404)

9 Upcoming STARS Events and More Friday, March 29, 2013 Page 9 Mark your calendars and be sure to RSVP for: Who: Deadline to submit application for STARS Retreat Middle/High school STARS Students Only Center for the Visually Impaired STARS Department 739 W Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA By 4:30pm The retreat is scheduled for April 26th-April 28th at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA. There are only 35 seats available for students to attend so applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Although the final deadline to submit an application to attend the retreat is March 29th, please don t delay. Once every seat is filled, we will close registration for the retreat. For details, LQuinn@cviga.org. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 Cost: CVI Alumni Association Hotdog Fundraiser Center for the Visually Impaired Parking Lot 739 W Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA :00a.m. 2:30p.m. $4 Combo: Hotdog, chips and drink 50 cents extra for chili Please join us for the 5th Annual Hotdog Fundraiser & Blind Entrepreneurial Showcase, which benefits the STARS program. This event is sponsored by the CVI Alumni Association with generous support from Colliers International and the Coca-Cola Company. If you would like to participate in this event, please call Smitty at (404) or Lafayette Wood at (770) Saturday, April 13, 2013 STARS Parent Information Session re: Spring Retreat Center for the Visually Impaired, STARS Activity Room 10a.m. 11:00a.m. Every child registered to attend the middle/high school spring retreat must have a parent or guardian present for this mandatory informational meeting. Failure to attend this parent meeting may result in a child being deemed ineligible to attend the retreat. For questions, please contact Teri Quinn at (404) or LQuinn@cviga.org.

10 Page 10 Announcements STARS 2013 Summer Camps Coming soon... Save the Dates: Elementary Camp (Grades K-6): May 28th June 7th Middle/High Camp (Grades 7-12): June 10th June 21st **Further details and camp applications will be mailed in mid March.

11 Page 11 Announcements Continued... Dear Campers, Parents, & Teachers: The administration of the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind is excited to invite you to join us for our 2013 summer program! This year we are featuring many activities, new and familiar friends, and new experiences to share; we are looking forward to seeing you there! Please complete the enclosed paperwork and return it along with your camp fee to ensure your reservation. No camper will have a secure spot until ALL paperwork is submitted back to the camp, including the physical. I know many of you will notice that there is a lot more paperwork in this application. There are two reasons for this. First, we need to ensure that we have the capabilities to take care of each camper that comes to camp. Second, we have eliminated turning in paperwork at check-in. Please note in the Health History packet, we sent only the first three documents as we complete the last one here at the camp. The Health page that is attached to the cover sheet that says "Physical," must be filled out by a licensed medical personnel. Please note the following information carefully, as several changes have occurred including length of camper stays Summer Schedule Session 1 June Family Camp 4-9 years old Session 2 June Pre-Teen years old Session 3 June Older Adult 32 and up Session 4 July 5-12 Young Adults years old Session 5 July Teenagers years old * A parent is required for the 4-5 year-olds and a sibling or parent is optional for 6-9 year-olds. For more information, please visit