Stars Club

Written by Shane Siddall

Students taking an active role in society, S.T.A.R.S. is a political/societal debate club that is led by Mr. Mike Rubin and two student leaders, a president and a vice president who change out every few years. The current President is Payton Griffith and the Vice President is Dmitry  Volf who took the reins from the previous leaders Charlie Carpenter and Vikas Durivvi. 

The topics range from gun control, and abortion, to immigration, and other arguable topics. The topics are always ones that currently affect our current political spectrum. The common scene at the club’s meeting is that of the president and the vice president calling us to attention, and forming the sides to the debate (most commonly being for or against), and then those attending will sort themselves out accordingly. The students will then nominate someone to be the opening speaker to state their side's opinion and then the debate can begin in a calm and orderly manner with the president and the vice president choosing who is next to speak. 

The club itself is not only a political debate club but also a means to help students become more aware of worldly issues and the opinions of their peers. Additionally, the club is a confidence booster, especially for those who are willing to speak. 

Onto those who take charge and lead S.T.A.R.S. And with the motto of leadership being “heavy is the head that wears the crown” so why would one willingly choose to take up the mantle of leadership and take charge of a large group of people with strong opinions of their own. Well for Dmitry it was simple, as he explains, “ So for me personally I have experienced many different political regimes, first in Russia under Putin's rule, and with that seeing my people be lied to and mislead with the first invasion of Ukraine, and then coming to this country it made me want to step in and make sure that what happened in my home country never happens here.” Most would say that Dmitry has more than enough reason to assume the mantle of vice president. 

Now with the natural born American Payton’s motivations are slightly different. She explains,” I have always really appreciated having a space, especially for younger people who will one day be in charge of making the legislation that will then lead our country, I always thought it was smart to then let those people have that space to express their opinions on things and politics really does change lives if you let it, and the main problem facing our government is gridlock and political divide, and uplifting a forum where kids and safely express their opinions and not get attacked for them is very smart to have.`` 

With these different yet equally important statements, they’re further proof that a variety of opinions will be shared which allows for there to be open and fair debate without recourse for one's opinions as long as they are not attacking another member. 

Well from what Mr. Rubin says the club started about 25 years ago when he noticed students dueling across his classroom, and he came to realize with the help of a few of his former students that there is a wide range of political and societal beliefs among the student body. From this realization, he and a few students decided to start the S.T.A.R.S. club and begin the debate club that has now become infamous among students and has led to Aurora students being more politically educated than most would believe. And due to this club, the next generation of political thinkers and revolutionaries are being fostered and if this club is anything to go off of, the future of this county is looking very bright.