27. February 2012 by KVaughn.

“Honor your calling.  Everybody has one.  Trust your heart and success will come to you.”

-– Oprah Winfrey

 “The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.”
— Arnold Palmer

“Don’t miss the magic of the moment by focusing on what’s to come.”
— Life’s Little Instruction Book 

“People of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them.  They went out and happened to things.”

-– Leonardo Da Vinci 

— Winston Churchill 

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27. February 2012 by KVaughn.

Greetings!  The first quarter of 2012 has been very fruitful for S.T.A.R.S. International despite the recent organizational struggles.  Beginning this year I will recognize all known donors for their very generous contributions as they occur. 

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24. February 2012 by KVaughn.

There are few of us which still hold near and dear to our heart the countless hours spent to propel one struggling Elgin Middle School student in 2006 to the ranks of a driven college student in 2012.  Following her high school graduation, exceptional grades earned Ana Lilia Medina a college scholarship from Illinois College where she is currently striving to graduate early with a double major in Business and Art.  A double major while; holding down a part-time job (required by her scholarship), participating in track & field, and sustaining a grueling 19 credit hour course load.  Thus far Ana’s grades have been OUTSTANDING and she continues to amaze me weekly despite her various challenges.   I am extremely pleased to announce that this week Ana is participating in the 100th “College Art Association” conference being held in Los Angeles, CA.  The trip encompassed Ana’s second time traveling by airline, and it has involved Art, Excitement, and MUCH lively debate as she explained via phone last night.  The annual conference brings together over 5,000 artists, art historians, students, educators, critics, curators, collectors, librarians, gallerists, and other professionals in the visual arts field.  This is truly a precedent setting event for Ana, and as she explained last night it reminds her of “The Our World Underwater” of Art.   [Note: This is the annual Midwest scuba diving convention]

Personal thanks is broadcast to all those who helped Ann participate in this incredible trip and whom have continued to be in her corner!!!   I and her parents are proud to say “That’s my girl!”  I urge you to take a moment to commend her on her continued success by dropping her an e-mail at; medina.ana@mail.ic.edu.  Thanks for taking the time to read up on Ana and enjoy your day.

And Ann wonders why she is exhausted!

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16. February 2012 by KVaughn.

        Another Excellent Opportunity For Exposure!

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16. February 2012 by KVaughn.

Congratulations To All Past S.T.A.R.S. Volunteers That

Participated To Achieve This Prestigious Award!

This is a tribute to the dedicated work by ALL,

and no one person among us!

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15. February 2012 by KVaughn.

“Never hesitate to do what you know is right.”
From:  Life’s Little Instruction Book

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14. February 2012 by KVaughn.

“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.”

— Winston Churchill

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12. February 2012 by KVaughn.

1 week following recognition of S.T.A.R.S. International by the White House after receiving the coveted President’s National Volunteerism Award, an outcry by a handful of dedicated S.T.A.R.S. volunteers has led me to make this urgent-personal outreach to each of you today.  Senior leadership at S.T.A.R.S. International changed in November 2011, leaving S.T.A.R.S. without direction, funding, and any future plans to continue operations.  The new President and Chairman of the S.T.A.R.S. Board has failed to answer calls, e-mails, and pickup certified mail to accept documentation critical to running the 501(c)(3) corporation.  The only way to take back control and SAVE S.T.A.R.S. from certain dissolution is for you to take 2 minutes to write and demand that President (Ismael Torres) resign the position immediately, and provide legal authorization in writing to transfer control of the company to the founder, Kevin Vaughn.  I strongly urge you to take 2 minutes today to send a letter and/or e-mail to Mr. Torres stressing that he take swift action in this matter.  You may also opt to follow-up your correspondence with a call helping us save S.T.A.R.S. for future generations.

Mr. Torres can be reached at; itorres@kusd.edu, or his home; 7803 15^th Avenue, Kenosha, WI  53143.  You may also reach him via phone at (262) 818-5843 or (262) 359-2865.  I for one can no longer sit idly by and let 8.5 years of work turn to dust because his passion for this has changed.  If he cannot Step Up, he must Step Out and allow the vision to continue!  The stairs to our success may be overgrown and abandoned, but the kids we serve do not have to be.  Thank you in advance for your support!

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