• May 3, 2018

    USC students celebrate at S.T.A.R.S. Prom

    S.T.A.R.S. Prom Upper St. Clair High School life skills students and their regular education partner friends traveled to PNC Park on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, for the annual S.T.A.R.S. Prom. Complete with formal wear, flowers, dancing and lots of photos, students made many lasting memories.

    “Everyone had a blast at the photo booth posing with friends and very funny props,” Lyn Mulroy, life skills support teacher, said. “Personally, I never heard so much laughter and giggles throughout the whole day. Everyone was very genuinely happy!”

    Students from 15 area school districts participated in the annual S.T.A.R.S. Life Skills Prom.

    “My students emphatically said, at the end of a long but memorable day of social activities, the best parts of the day were spending time with all their regular education peers and dancing for hours,” Ms. Mulroy said. “The food and many donated desserts were quite special, too.”

    S.T.A.R.S. – Schools Together with Athletes Reaching Success – is comprised of more than 20 area schools that host various social and athletic opportunities. The mission of the S.T.A.R.S. partnership program is to provide meaningful activities for students with and without physical and intellectual disabilities to collaborate, create and participate in activities that enrich the school curriculum.

    “The S.T.A.R.S. prom promotes inclusion at it's best! Everyone feels accepted and true friendships flourish within each school group and across the many school districts that attend the events,” Ms. Mulroy said. “It's been a wonderful partnership and we all look forward to the monthly opportunities to get together and feel success!”

    Efforts are spearheaded through a collaborative group of special education teachers, physical education teachers, and transition coordinators from the various school districts.