This year’s Starfish recipient is Dedra Scow, who has been with the PASSkey program since 1997.

“She (Scow) is very student friendly, and that’s hard to find,” said Stacey Sylman, R.N., Health Center Coordinator, and co-chair of the Starfish committee.

Students nominate and write an essay about the faculty member who they feel is committed to education and student success.

The nominees for this year’s Starfish Award included Clara Alaniz and Valerie Chavez of the Reading Department; Dr. Theresa Arburn of Biology; Joseph Booker of English; Steve Ochoa of Math; and Dr. Denise Barkis Richter of Communications.

Sylman, along with Lillian Huerta, Service-Learning Coordinator, and Eloisa Cordova, Education Support Specialist, were involved in the process of selecting the winner. Students wrote an essay explaining what a certain faculty member has done for them and how he or she has affected their lives.

After reading the essays, Sylman, Huerta and Cordova decided merit points, then tallied the points giving an average to each essay. When that process is complete, the nominee with the highest average is awarded the Starfish. While the process for selecting a winner may seem easy, Sylman quickly points out that the process is very difficult because she is deeply touched by each essay that has been written.

“It’s hard to select just one person,” said Sylman. “I want to give each of them the award,” she said. Sylman also acknowledges that the nominees are ones who go above the call of duty and points out that Scow is one who sets high standards to do a good job for herself and her students.

As a counselor with PASSkey, Scow has been recognized for the huge impact she has had on her students. Scow feels very honored to have received this award. She said what touches her most is the fact that her students must have written something very special about her.

The Starfish award is based on the story about a young man walking on the beach. He soon discovers a large group of starfish dying because they have been washed up. As he grabs a starfish and throws it back into the ocean, an older gentleman tells him he can’t help them all. The young man agrees, but points out that he had made a difference to that one starfish.

Fellow nominee Valerie Chavez couldn’t agree more, “You can’t help everyone, but there’s always that one.”

Scow, who has 10 years of counseling experience, works with a special group of students. PASSkey, Palo Alto Support Services key to success, is a federally funded program that serves 250 students and is designed to increase the graduation rates of eligible PAC students and to increase their transfer rates to a four-year university. Students eligible for PASSkey must meet the following criteria: come from low-income families, first-generation college students or have a certifiable disability. Students enrolled in PASSkey are each assigned their own counselor and receive academic, career and personal counseling. Eligible students are helped with financial aid preparation, registration assistance and campus services and resources. Students attend seminars and workshops on topics dealing with study skills, test anxiety, self-esteem and stress, time and budget management. Computer and Internet access are also available to PASSkey students, as well as tutoring services on a one-on-one basis.

A graduate of Baylor University, Scow decided to help others because of a spiritual attraction she had toward psychology. Through her years at Palo Alto, she continues to connect with her students and maintains a bond with those she has encountered.

“I am honored, blessed, and I feel an obligation to do a good job,” said Scow.

Scow said while she works to get to know her students, she feels touched by their amazing stories and courage.

Walking into Scow’s office, visitors quickly notice the Eleanor Roosevelt quote hanging on her wall. Scow uses the quote as inspiration and even has her students read it when they face a challenge in their life: “Believe in yourself. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face. You must do that which you think you cannot do.”

Scow has not only affected her students, but those who work around her. They witness her actions and the dedication to her students and have a deep admiration and respect for her.
“She’s friendly, understanding and she not only listens, but she makes time for everybody,” said Jessica Ozuna, sophomore Computer Information Systems major.

English and Psychology major, Nighat Javaid said, “Dedra’s very dedicated to her work and her students, and she always shows enthusiasm.”
The births of her two sons are the proudest moments of Scow’s personal life. Accepting the Starfish Award is proudest moment of her professional life. She said she feels her time has been justified.

While Scow has motivated her students, she said the ones who have the biggest influence in her life are her parents and her husband. “He (her husband) is my best friend,” she said.
Family photos and drawings from Scow’s oldest son grace her office. Family life is obviously very important to her.

Being nominated surprised Scow. She felt the need to acknowledge her fellow nominees because of their work, dedication and contributions to the students and the school.
“I’m thrilled to be in the company of the nominees,” said Scow.

The starfish story ends with the young man making a difference to one starfish and possibly saving the others. Scow, like the boy, makes a difference to her students.