Teen seeks to start leadership council at the 445th Airlift Wing

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  A teenager is interested in starting a teen leadership council at the 445th Airlift Wing to help other teens share their experiences about growing up in an Air Force Reserve family.

Celestia Starner, daughter of Senior Master Sgt. Tommy Starner, 445th Civil Engineer Squadron, became motivated to start a teen leadership council here from her involvement as a member of the Air Force Reserve Teen Leadership Council that met for the first time Nov. 12, at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

"A teen leadership council is what we need here so we can share our experiences and ideas plus help others going through what we're going through," Celestia said.

While in Georgia, Celestia and 19 other teen council members received briefings on the Air Force Reserve Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and had a chance to talk to Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner Jr., AFRC commander, about issues facing children of Air Force Reservists. The teens are expected to participate in conference calls and discussions, attend retreats, and lead and assist child and youth programs at AFRC Yellow Ribbon events.

"While in Georgia, we were taught leadership skills from senior leaders and learned about the Air Force Reserve. Next, we broke off and went to Hilton Head, South Carolina, for the Yellow Ribbon event and helped with the kids by playing games and crafts. I really enjoyed playing with the kids," Celestia said.

Her father agrees that starting a teen council at the wing is a good idea.

"She wants to start a council here to be able to have teens take things back to their schools, churches, and/or 4H Clubs. This is a great way for teens to share with each other what it's like to be a military brat and talk about deployments, moving, etc.," Sergeant Starner said.

Celestia is excited about her role in the AFRC Teen Leadership Council and is looking forward to what her involvement over the next two years with the group will be.

"As a member, we will have telephone conference calls at various times throughout the year. We also have to attend two yellow ribbon events," Celestia said.

Celestia said she is soliciting for teens to join the council and will be talking at various wing events and first sergeant meetings about her goals for the council and need for members. She had the opportunity to speak at the first sergeant meeting during the December unit training assembly weekend.

Senior Master Sgt. Janet Wescott, 445th Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant, is enthusiastic about Celestia's ideas and motivation.

"This young lady is truly a dynamic person. I was so impressed with meeting her and hearing her ideas. I think she will get the support she needs because there is a need for this council. Anyone who speaks to her is automatically inoculated with her energy, and they too become excited about the wing's future teen council, just as I am," Sergeant Wescott said.

Celestia's parents are proud of the accomplishments she is making and of her goal to start a council at the wing.

"My wife and I are very proud that she was chosen for the Air Force Reserve Teen Leadership Council. I feel that getting information to the teens of the wing through the teen council can help when one or more of their parents are deployed. They, as a team, can come up with good ideas for some fun and interesting things to do," Sergeant Starner said.