There once was a child who stood on a beach surrounded by hundreds of beached starfish.
He began to throw the stranded starfish back into the ocean. An adult passerby, realizing the enormity of the child’s endeavor, asked the child, “What difference can you really make?”
The child picked up one starfish and threw it into the surf and replied, “I made a difference for that one.”
On June 6, the Sweetwater Union High School District honored 31 businesses for the differences they’ve made in students’ lives, at its fourth annual Starfish Award ceremony.
The award, named after the folk tale of the boy and the starfish, recognizes business leaders and partners who work with the district’s 22 schools to offer students new opportunities to learn about the business community before they graduate from high school.
“It’s important to offer students options and to help them experience and enhance their learning and get them to see beyond the walls of the high-school realm,” said Barbara Gelsomini, project coordinator for School to Careers and the awards banquet.
School to Careers is a district resource center that helps organize partnerships between businesses and the schools.
More than 35,000 students are able to listen to guest speakers, intern, job-shadow and participate in curriculum programs, thanks to the efforts of more than 300 business partners.
It motivates and inspires the students and the business leaders, said Gelsomini.
“Business leaders will tell us, ‘It’s nice to be in touch with the young people of America, hear about good things, instead of hearing all the bad things you see on TV,'” she said.
Nearly 85 people attended the event, where 19 business leaders and 12 business partners each received a crystal starfish award.
Edward Brand, area superintendent, was master of ceremonies for the program, held at the San Diego Country Club.
Honorees included Joe Melluso, owner of the Tin Fish restaurant in Imperial Beach, who created a nine-week training program for Sweetwater’s Workforce Investment Act interns to learn aspects of the restaurant business.
Scott Alevy, director of external affairs for Pacific Bell, was also honored for his time spent volunteering with the school board, monetary donations from the phone company for school equipment and the implementation of a new business program.
“He’s touched every one of us because of his overall contributions to the district,” Gelsomini said.
Participating schools nominated recipients, who were selected based on contribution, time and effort, Gelsomini said.
