A Chance to Fly

Beginning with a single San Diego team in 1996 today Starlings Volleyball Clubs USA is the largest Junior Volleyball program in the nation-serving more than 2000 girls in over 30 cities. Starlings clubs are found in America's inner cities as well as on Navajo and Apache reservations in the Southwest.</p>The Starlings program indeed stands out in a sport largely nurtured in America's well-to-do suburban neighborhoods-providing an opportunity for girls ages 10 to18 to participate regardless of their socioeconomic background. Club dues are minimal and no girl is turned away because of inability to pay.</p>Over 100 Starlings have received college volleyball scholarships. The philosophy is a holistic one: competition is good but sports should be fun too. A Starling girl is also encouraged to develop all her talents; thus an annual Literary/Art Contest is sponsored. There are many ways a teenage girl can take wing given the chance.</p>To celebrate the Starlings 10th anniversary in 2006 a collection of essays poems and art work has been selected from submissions to the 2005 competition. That year's theme: 'What Starlings Means to Me.</p>As anyone will learn from this remarkable collection of works being a Starling means a lot more than just playing volleyball.