New to Cherokee High School and the Lenape Regional High School District is a student run organization called S.T.A.R (Students Together for Autism Research). S.T.A.R. was founded by sophomores Matthew Cortland and Tina Liu as a small group last year under the supervision of Cherokee teacher, Mr. Anthony Gallo. After gaining school board approval the club set a fundraising goal of $4,000 to donate to the National Alliance for Autism Research. At the Autism Walk, five Cherokee students had the honor of singing the National Anthem to kick off the day's events. As recognition for their efforts last year, the Cherokee S.T.A.R.s were presented with a proclamation at the town council meeting by Mayor Gus Tamburro. Team Captain Matthew Cortland was also awarded with the 2005 National Youth Leadership Award, an honor only bestowed upon sixteen teenagers in the United States
