S.T.A.R. student takes active role at Westfield High School

By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com

After attending a STEM camp at the Naval Academy, sophomore Aydah Leising envisioned starting a military and charity-based club at Westfield High School. WHS has more than 80 clubs, and any student can start a new club with just a handful of interested students.

MaryEdith Malin, coordinator of communications and professional development at WHS, had been having similar thoughts since she moved to the area several years ago and was surprised to find no formal military-related organizations at the high school.

“There are not a lot of bases around the area, so I think the kids here, and even families, don’t have the knowledge of what the military offers,” Malin said.

Malin and her husband both served in the United States Air Force before settling in Indiana with their three children who are all students in Westfield Washington Schools. Malin eagerly stepped in as club sponsor.

The Military Club officially began in the fall of 2023 and hosted a panel of military service members and veterans from different branches to talk to interested students about their experiences and careers. More than 50 students showed up to listen to the panel members, who included Mayor Scott Willis as a representative of the U.S. Marine Corps.

In mid-February, WHS Principal Alicia Denniston signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Army Capt. Brandon Kuegler for the Military Club to officially become the S.T.A.R. Club. S.T.A.R. stands for Students Taking Active Roles, and the club represents a partnership between the Army and WHS in which the Army provides resources and training for participating high school students.

WWS Superintendent Paul Kaiser has been talking to military members about starting a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program. According to Malin, the process will take more than a year.

“S.T.A.R. is an interim program,” Malin said. “It teaches a lot of the same principles that JROTC would, but on a smaller basis. The Army funds T-shirts and some of the experiences for the students. We try to have our clubs be student led, but it’s nice to have this program when they are just getting started.”

Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Simmermon is the S.T.A.R facilitator at WHS. Simmermon, whose military occupational specialty is artillery, is currently serving as an Army recruiter at area high schools and was a panel member for the Military Club last fall.

“The students lead the class, but I give instruction,” Simmermon said. “The curriculum is cut and dry and really breaks everything down with a year of material. I try to make it fun.”

The curriculum includes an overview of topics such as first aid, physical training, and stress management.

S.T.A.R. Club is not a recruiting organization and requires no service obligation or even interest in a military career, according to Malin. However, it offers students the leadership development they will need throughout life.

“I hope the students get an understanding of what the military has to offer and that their own personal goals are achievable,” Simmermon said.

Leising hopes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and become a pilot, and she knows leadership is important when applying to colleges. Appointed platoon sergeant at the most recent meeting, the highest rank for a student, she is on her way to getting that leadership experience.

“I also love volunteering and serving people,” Leising said.

The club has plans to spend time cleaning up around memorials and perhaps volunteering at a VA medical center.

S.T.A.R. Club meets twice a month during CORE, which is an approximately 45-minute flex period WHS students have four days a week. The next meeting will be March 14. Students can sign up to attend meetings using the SchoolCore app that shows them all the CORE options available on a given day.