Opportunities for girls to participate in all-girl organizations are popping up all around HPHS. While it may be hard to choose which to participate in due to their different goals, one that is beneficial for all members is ASTRA.

As per the Highland Park website, the group is defined as: “a girls-only service organization created with the purpose of providing an opportunity for students at Highland Park to work together and serve the community.”  

Membership in ASTRA is earned through an application process where members are selected on merit. Once accepted, members participate in service projects throughout the year. For example, on Nove. 10, the club had a service project where it organized books, decorated classrooms for Christmas and made ornaments for the Voice of Hope organization in Dallas.  

Also, at the Dec. 10 meeting, the club made dog toys from old t-shirts for Operation Kindness, a no-kill shelter in the Dallas Area.  

“I have really enjoyed my time in ASTRA,” club president and senior Kate Kilpatrick said. “I have been able to work with a group of very talented ladies, made some lifelong friends and made some great contributions to some quality organizations.” 

ASTRA usually meets on the first Monday of each month at 7:15 before school starts. Applications are accepted at the beginning of each year, so if you are interested in membership, go ahead and apply for next year.