The Carmelite STARS Youth Group was formed in June of 2005.  The high school youth program was looking for a fresh start and a new vision was being sought.  The youth at the time chose the name Carmelite after the Carmelites who have served the parishes’ faithfully for many years and STARS for Service Through Active Religion.

The STARS have participated in many fundraisers, a Valentine Dinner, Burrito Sales, Cornstock, Chamber Theatre Servers, Square Fair, sold Maggie's Popcorn, sold I'm a Dip Stick dips and hosted a few Breakfasts.  In February the STARS  host a Valentine Dinner for family and friends with preordered tickets, and in 2020 we hosted our 15th annual dinner. The funds raised from these events along with any other fundraising efforts are used to support the group with service projects and travel expenses.  They will once again attend the National Catholic Youth Conference, November 15-19, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  They will attend RCYC (Rural Catholic Youth Convention) in March of 2023 at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg, Ks. In August of 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 they also hosted an Archdiocesan Rural Youth Rally.  Our summer outing in July of 2022 was to Worlds of Fun.

During the 2017-2018 school year we had  two STARs serve on NEKRYC (North East Kansas Rural Youth Council) - Adrianna Pedrow and Emma Porter, 2021-2022 - Morgan Sumner and Reese Witherspoon and for the 2022-2023 school year we have four STARs serving on council - Morgan Sumner, Reese Witherspoon, Taryn Morrow and Noah Porter.

We had 15 Confirmation Candidates for 2022 and Confirmation was held on Monday, November 21, 2022.

There are currently 17 youth involved in the STARS group which meets on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:00 p.m., throughout the school year.  If you are interested in joining, volunteering or have service project ideas, please contact the parish office or one of the group leaders Georgia Miller or Kristy Mader ([email protected]).