Cassie Binder was not always an "A" student.

Growing up, the former Lehighton and current Panther Valley student struggled with learning."I was frustrated because I didn't feel smart," she said. "Nothing I have ever done has come naturally to me."But once she was enrolled in the SHINE Afterschool program, Cassie's world began to blossom.She learned math and English skills that were once hard to grasp, tried her hand at musical instruments and sports, and gained much needed confidence in herself and her abilities.Today, Cassie is getting ready to graduate from Panther Valley High School with a 95 average and is enrolled in an AP English class."Sometimes all a child needs is someone to be there for them," she said. "The SHINE program does just that. There are teachers ready to help assist you with homework and other materials and make learning fun."I want to tell you to never give up on yourself," Cassie added.Cassie's story is just one of many success stories the SHINE program has had over the past 11 years.On Thursday, she and students from the SHINE Career Academy, Panther Valley, Shenandoah Valley and Mahanoy Area elementary schools showcased some of the many skills they are learning to help brighten their path through education during the 16th annual National Lights-on Celebration, held at Jim Thorpe Area High School.The program highlighted the areas of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) that students learn about through the four-day-a-week program.Students kicked off the event with a little dancing from the movie "Footloose." They also used boomwhackers, percussion tubes used as musical instruments, to play "If You're Happy and You Know It"; read the story "Incredible You" by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer; and showed off their rocketry, building and writing skills.Rachel Strucko, director of the SHINE program, said the event is "about celebrating commitment and advocacy.""The SHINE Afterschool program isn't just important for our children here in Carbon and Schuylkill counties, it is important across the nation," Strucko said. "The economy of tomorrow will be driven by the innovation of today. The students in our SHINE centers will be the next generation of teachers, precision machinists or chemists."She thanked teachers, parents, Lehigh Carbon Community College, county and state legislators and the students, for making this program as successful as it has been.Laura Saccente, executive director for the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network, commended the program for leading the way in innovation."We are especially proud of the SHINE program," she said. "You are the shining example for afterschool programs across the country."Other speakers who believe in the SHINE program who spoke during the program included state Rep. Doyle Heffley, Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, Carbon County District Attorney Jean Engler and LCCC President Dr. Ann Bieber.Awards were presented to Jonathan Cleaver, superintendent of Lehighton Area School District; Brian Gasper, superintendent of Jim Thorpe Area School District; and David Reinbold, administrative director for Carbon Career & Technical Institute; for their dedication to the program.Marie Becker, who helps operate the SHINE program, also was recognized for her years of service as she retires in January.