A Super Mentor Wins a Super Award
Scholar’s Mom Nominates a Very Deserving Mentor

July 22, 2010 – The grateful mother of a Starfish alumnus nominated her son’s mentor for the 2010 United Way of Central Indiana Diversity Volunteer Awards – and he won.

Tanya Martin was looking for a way to say thank you to a man who has filled some of the blanks in her son Chrisjaan’s life. She found the opportunity through UWCI and decided to take a chance at nominating him. John Scott has been a mentor with Starfish Initiative since 2005 and is now mentoring his third Starfish Scholar. His first Scholar, K.J., now attends Purdue University, and Chrisjaan will attend Indiana University. Anyah is a high school freshman.

John values not only academic preparedness for college, but social and cultural preparedness, too. His recognition that demeanor and etiquette matter in the real world led him to become a Certified Etiquette Consultant and founder of both The Etiquette & Leadership Institute of Indiana and Etiquette2Go Consultant, LLC.

“Since John began working with Scholars in 2005,” Executive Director Joyce Johnson said, “the effects have been felt throughout the organization. John’s work with K.J. and Chrisjaan – and now with Anyah -- has been remarkable, truly an example of consistency and devotion. He cares about the development of young people.

“In fact, Joyce continued, “John now provides etiquette training to each incoming freshman Scholar during their orientation. John’s session is always one of the most popular because, after learning the basics of etiquette – and then some – for two and a half hours, the Scholars practice that etiquette in a public setting. This year,” she continued with a laugh, “Circle Centre Mall almost ground to a halt when 17 teen-aged boys stepped aside so 16 teen-aged girls could precede them up the escalator. You don’t see that every day!”

“John Scott has a passion for young people,” said Director of Scholar Services Jimmy Graves. “At Starfish, he has created an engaging environment for our Scholars to learn life skills.”

John has been with Starfish long enough to have worked with three Scholars. He also volunteers on a number of committees and has helped us with everything from brainstorming whom to invite to be celebrity dancers for our fundraising gala to physically helping set up for events. Whatever John does for us, whenever he does it, his contributions are varied and valuable.

John was honored at the 27th Annual United Way of Central Indiana Diversity Volunteer Recognition Breakfast and Tanya and Chrisjaan where there to offer the biggest smiles and the heartiest applause.