Tara's Story

Upon enrollment, Tara Kerns, a STARS scholar from 2016-2019, was a tutor at Iowa Western Community College helping other students become successful with their academics. Tara's biggest challenge was how would she attend classes full-time and have the means to pay for child care.

Tara says, "Child care was such a large expense that without the help of STARS, I would have not been able to attend classes full-time." Tara also felt that she could reach out to the staff at anytime she needed a listening ear or guidance on her next steps after graduation. "STARS was there whether it was when I needed help with a flat tire or purchasing a roller backpack for classes. "I loved all the support it was above and beyond, it really felt like an extension of family," says Tara.

Tara is now a Registered Dental Hygienist at Bluffs Family Dentistry