Members of Pine Bush High School’s S.T.A.R.S. Academy had some hands-on learning Friday, with the help of Staff Sgt. Rachel Thomas of the Middletown Army Recruiting Center. The students learned about the seven Army values – loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage- as well as some tidbits about each other. Most important, though, they learned team-building skills they will use in real life.

Thomas gathered the students early, telling them about herself and learning something about each of them – whose special interest is music, art, video games, basketball, even comic books!

The group ventured to the tennis courts for their first team building exercise. They broke into two groups, then into smaller teams of four.

“You all have goals and mentors in your life,” said Thomas. “You can’t be looking at the distractions.”

One person in the group was blindfolded and had to depend solely on the vocal direction of one teammate to make it through an obstacle course made up quickly of water bottles. The other two in the group were the distractors, giving alternate directions, trying to get their friend off course.

The lesson – don’t let life’s distractions take you off course. Stay focused on your goals.

The group also went to the Escape the Mystery Room at the Galleria at Crystal Run, where they used their problem solving, observation and communication skills to work together and escape.

Each Friday the S.T.A.R.S. academy members participate in project-based learning, according to Assistant Principal Chris Mummery. There are 58 high school students currently in the academy.

S.T.A.R.S., Students and Teachers for Academic Responsibility and Service, is in its fifth year here in the Pine Bush district.