The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”

As the Campus Director for the Irving Middle School, I work with around 160 starfish in 6th and 8th grade, a joyful group filled with different personalities, strengths and weaknesses. The greatest thing about working with these students is I have the opportunity to see them grow over the year.

For the last two years I told you about a student named Giselle. I first met Giselle 3 years ago when she walked into my Step Poetry apprenticeship (10 week lesson culminating in a performance) ready to learn about the art of stepping. For each lesson, she was prepared, focused and willing to help others. This same passion I thought would be seen in the classroom; however this was not the case. Giselle struggled to keep her academic grades on the positive side but pulled through in the end.
In 8th grade, Giselle turned over a new leaf and started out the year on the positive side. She turned 15 and was excited to apply for high schools. Giselle applied to 7 schools in Boston and had high hopes of going to Fenway High School. She strolled into my office and asked me to write her a recommendation. When I asked her why, she replied “because you know me”.  I gave her a hug and told her no problem.

I’m proud to report Giselle just completed her 2nd quarter at Fenway High School and is still doing well. She is currently apart of

Working with Citizen Schools has given me the opportunity to build so many relationships with students who just wants someone to care.

In these economic times, raising the funds we need to do what I do is even harder than usual. I ask that you join me in changing the lives of young people just like Giselle all across the country with a financial gift. While there is no such thing as too small a gift, please consider gifts of $10.00 or more so I can reach my $1000 fundraising goal.
 

Thank you in advance for your support and your continued love and encouragement that enable me to do the work that I do.

Nadia K. Selby