NJ STARS is a real star

The Dec. 25 article, “Scholarship program bumps enrollment at county colleges,” regarding NJ STARS scholarship students, was a reaffirmation of the benefits that come from encouraging and rewarding students for maintaining good grades in high school. Young people who obtain an education beyond high school, whether college or trade school, are assets to our communities, and their education is worth every penny our tax dollars contribute. Many parents find themselves hard-pressed to pay ever-increasing college expenses. But in addition to the NJ STARS program, a community-college student who graduates with an associate's degree and a 3.0 grade-point average is eligible for a NJ STARS II scholarship to help them transfer into any New Jersey public college or university as a junior. Having community-college graduates continue at our state colleges is another way to encourage them to stay in New Jersey; we've been losing far too many talented young people to other state schools. Congratulations to the NJ STARS programs and to their recipients. This is one state program that deserves the support of all of its citizens. Bettie J. Reina, Milmay - Atlantic City Press, January 1, 2007