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7/21/10: SPOTLIGHT: Rising Stars
From this quote, I say 
Starfinder has been my light which has brought out my talent. It also brought out talent in many people in the program.
My name is Michael Wade Arthur. I'm sixteen years of age, and I'm originally from Ghana. I moved to the States in the summer of 2008. I live with just my dad over here, who works for Delta Airlines. My mom is back in Ghana, working for Peugot, and I'm expecting her arrival here soon. I have no siblings, but I secretly wish I had a sister. I'm glad to have lots of friends who I call family, both those in Ghana and those I am fortunate to have here.
I go to school at Upper Darby High School. I'm in my 11th grade year. I joined Starfinder last year. I got to know about Starfinder through Herbert Kandeh who came to our school to talk to our soccer team. I joined Starfinder primarily because my friends were all joining. A few weeks went by, most guys started to drop out because of the distance. A few of my friends and I stayed because we realized that it was a good program, and we were actually learning something. I went through the Starfinder Senior Leader Program, and I was exposed to some surprises. I realized that Starfinder was more than a soccer club. It taught more than soccer.
The first thing that grabbed my attention was when I was invited to PCOM (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine) to recite a poem. I wrote about soccer in honor of Mr. Leonard Johnson, a deceased PCOM Board member who encouraged children to follow their dreams. I realized that this experience gave me exposure to my talents in poetry. That was just one step to show me what Starfinder was about.
Starfinder is also involved in letting participants have a feel of college life. During the program, we got introduced to different college coaches, such as coaches from Penn State Abington and Arcadia Universities. It got me thinking about college and soccer in college. Starfinder also incorporated a trip for the juniors in the SAT program to State College in order to visit Penn State University. I got a chance to go with them because there was an empty spot, and it was a reward for my persistence in trying to get to visit Penn State. The trip proved a total success, and most of those who went along are thinking about going there.
Then Starfinder showed how they helped the community through soccer. They got us involved with the TAP Project, a UNICEF effort to get potable water to people around the world. Most 11th graders did this for their Graduation Project but I did it because it seemed an interesting way to help with the community. I helped out by instituting the project in our school with the help of Build On, a local social service organization. That project has also begun a tradition in our school.
And Starfinder doesn't leave participants alone after the school year ends. They offer a summer job to teens who are eligible and give their time to go through the training and the coaching sessions. I am doing this and am one of the teen leaders in the summer programs, and it is a good experience for me. I enjoy it mostly because I'm working with little boys and girls.
Starfinder has been a great program for me, and I wish to continue next year. The various programs and trips that are offered help the participants to acquire a broader mind and great learning and working experience. I enjoy Starfinder, and I speak for my friends and most of the participants at Starfinder when I say that it's been a great social, cultural, and educational experience!
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