b'Playing on her high school tennis team became Stars safe space and helped boost her confidence. Star has continued to play tennis as an adult. Photo by Julia Maloof Verderosa.dressed,Starsays,Ihadsuicidalstory that put into black and white thoughts, not just because of board- what the adults around refused to tell ingschool,but[becauseofthe]me: that life is sometimes a long hard things I was just carrying along withjourney, but youll find yourself and me.Anadvisornoticedherdiffi- reinvent yourself along the way. culties and helped her connect withAt the end of that day, Star asked other students. She made some closeAngelou to sign her copy of I Know friends who helped her through herWhy the Caged Bird Sings. As An-struggles. gelouhandedherbackthesigned Whenitwastimetochooseabook, Star writes that Angelou tookTHE SLATE ROOFspring sport, Star joined the tennisher hand and whispered, You willPROFESSIONALSteam. With little money, Star used ando well in life if you take people into old hand-me-down racket from heryour trust.godmother and bought a tennis skirtItreallymadeadifferencein fromathriftstore.Playingtennishearing that from someone who [notSlate, Tile, Copper & Shingle Chimneyshelped her tune out the noise andonly had] just met me but someone IRoof Repair, Replacement Masonrythe negativity that I was experienc- had idolized and read everything sheYankee Gutters Carpentrying while I was there, she says. Ithad ever written and listened to herHistoric Restorations Slate & Tile Roofs Cleanedhelped that I was good at tennis andtalks on NPR, says Star. It really that I was winning. But it also taughtchanged my outlook.me about how to work with a team,Part of that change was realizing how to play doubles and trust some- in her professional life that it was OK one else to have your back. to talk about her childhood trauma Having experienced so much dis- and experience in foster care, some-appointment over the years, Star ad- thingshehadpreviouslyhidden. mits that trust is something she hasRather than checking her baggage at had to work on her entire life. She says,the door, as one boss had advised, Star I think that start in boarding schoolfound value in bringing her whole was really what got me on my way. self to a personal or work relation-After graduation, Star made hership so others could understand her waytoBostonUniversity,majoredtenacity in overcoming adversity. in communications and began a ca- Over time, telling her story be-reer in public relations. She points to a pivotalDETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCEmoment when she wasSlate roofs are durable and long-lasting, with a lifetime of 100+ askedtocoverinter- years. All slate roofs require 16 oz. copper ashing in valley areas, viewswithMayaAn- Yankee gutters, chimney and dormer sidewalls. Our slate roof experts gelouforacolleague.are state certied and will enhance the beauty and life of your roof. HavingreadAngelous seriesofautobiogra-phiesstartinginfifthCALL FOR AN ESTIMATEgrade,Starjumpedat973 857 7300 SlateRoofProfessionals.comthe chance. StarwritesthatsheStar advocates for the rights and needs of youth inLocally owned and operated | License #13VH087the foster care system and is on the boards of CASA-found solace in AngelousNYC and City Living NY.feature story /13'