The Times

Issue date: 3/8/10 Section: News

Everyone likes to receive awards. There is just something heart pumping about knowing a person can achieve his or her goals.

There are awards for spreading peace, for surviving war and even awards that mean nothing. Some people even make a living out of getting awards.

Students in College Prep classes usually have had few award opportunities, but thanks to Betty Woodfill, College Prep faculty, there is now an award in their reach. The Stellar Achievement Recognition Award, or STAR award, is an annual honor for two San Jac developmental students who show improvement and effort in classes despite difficult circumstances.

"Attending a national conference, I met some instructors from Lamar University who had created a similar award for their program," said Woodfill, "Returning to San Jac, I spoke to my department Chair, Dr LeeAnn Morris, and she encouraged me to develop a similar program on our campus. We both recognized the need to have our outstanding College Prep students identified, rewarded and acknowledged at the annual Student Awards Reception in the spring."

Apparently the idea for an award of this caliber has been in the mix for quite some time.

"This has been something we considered doing for a long time," said Dr. LeeAnn Morris Head of the College Prep English Department, "We had some money in our budget and decided to use this money to help support students who have shown promise and motivation to do well in their college careers."

In order to qualify, students need to be enrolled in two College Prep classes and demonstrate academic achievement and leadership qualities in the classroom.

The selection process starts when an instructor nominates students, and then a committee consisting of the department chair, faculty, and adjunct instructors evaluate the nominations and select the recipients of the two awards.

They are then announced at the annual Student Awards Reception. In addition to receiving a "shooting star" trophy, students pledge to use the $250 prize to continue his or her schooling at San Jac Central.

"The whole idea for the awards was to honor students and help them by paying for classes," said Woodfill.

The award not only benefits the students, but also the teachers who taught them along the way. Last year the STAR winners were Connie T. Jauregui and Emilio Vargas. The creation of the STAR also gave way to another award. The Achievement in Diversity (AID) award is for students enrolled in the ESOL program, and it is similar to the STAR award except the students nominated for the AID must continue in the program once they have won.

The creators of AID were Mary Shodavaram and Deborah Repasz, two adjuncts and College Prep English instructors.

The STAR Award will continue to inspire developmental students to achieve their goals despite difficult circumstances.

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