The Centreville HS chapter of STAR (Students Together Assisting Refugees), is led by Saphal Joshi, president; Dahntay Baugh, vice president; Asier Belay, treasurer; Hayden Weon, secretary), and Brandon Le Eickholt, historian. STAR is a student organization with chapters across the country dedicated to "helping refugees realize happy and successful lives in their newly adopted communities."
The Centreville HS chapter successfully raised $1,000 in its first fundraising drive of this school year. These funds were used to buy essential items such as household and hygiene supplies, as well as Christmas presents for newly arrived refugees. The students worked with the non-profit organization Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services to determine the most immediate needs of refugees. They then shopped for supplies themselves, and distributed them through Catholic Charities.
STAR is currently continuing fund-raising to purchase welcome packages for refugees coming to the greater metropolitan area. The Centreville HS chapter, which includes 15 students who regularly attend chapter meetings, is grateful to have raised awareness of the needs of refugees and to have the generous support of their fellow students who contributed to fundraising.
Their current and future activities include a winter coat drive, a talent show fundraiser, and “Letters of Hope” postcards written to overseas refugees. As part of their effort to raise awareness of what it means to be a refugee, they plan to invite refugees to come and speak with students, share their experiences, and answer student questions.
Saphal’s participation with STAR is a family tradition: his older sister was president of the Centreville HS chapter of STAR before Saphal. The club is currently working on plans to educate fellow students on this issue and to reach a wider audience. Saphal says his ultimate goal for the club this year is to interview a celebrity or athlete with a refugee background. The group is also considering creating a podcast “to bring greater attention to the difficult situation facing refugees as they try to resettle in a new and very different social and cultural setting.”