Broad Ripple High School students Cory Graham, Morgan Murff and Phoebe Plair were among nine seniors to be awarded $1,000 college scholarships by the Starfish Initiative at an awards ceremony held at the Glendale Library on April 30, 2009.

Bill Stanczykiewicz, President and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute, served as keynote speaker for the event. The Starfish Initiative is a college access and readiness program serving Marion County high school students.

Founded in 2003 by local businessmen, its name is taken from the "Starfish Story," where economically disadvantaged students attending private schools receive financial help and mentoring to pursue a college education. In 2006, the Starfish Board expanded the program to include any Marion County student meeting eligibility requirements enrolled in college preparatory classes at any school. Starfish currently serves students at more than 30 high schools including public, private, charter and magnet schools.

According to a 2009 study by America's Promise Alliance, only 30 percent of urban high school students in Indianapolis graduate, placing the city last among the top 50 cities in America regarding graduation rate.

The Starfish Initiative mission is to cultivate these promising youth into college-educated leaders by providing them with individual mentors, facilitating college preparatory high school careers. They offer family-focused support services, instilling in each student the desire to "give back" to the community in the future.

"In addition to GPA, students completed an application and submitted recommendations from school officials and their mentors. An independent panel of three judges selected 14 finalists from 25 applications. From those finalists, nine were awarded scholarships from $1,000-$1,400. Starfish has been assisting high school graduates preparing for college since 2004. In addition to a variety of workshops and college visits, each student is matched with a volunteer adult mentor," explained Mentor Services Director Bob Goodrum.

According to their website, Starfish provides intensive one-on-one mentoring and coaching as each scholarship recipient is matched with an adult mentor making a two year commitment to meet with their scholar every other week. By serving as a "life or college coach," mentors can help scholars work toward their goals.

The Starfish Initiative Office recently underwent an extreme makeover made possible by donations from local businesses and a matching grant from the United Way of Central Indiana's Capital Fund. The general public is invited to their Open House on Saturday, May 30 from 12:30 P.M. to 4 P.M. at 814 North Delaware Street to learn more.

On July 1 and 2, 2009, Goodrum will be living on the roof of Starfish's office building in an attempt to recruit 48 mentors in 48 hours. He did this last year as they met their goal. Mentors are needed for incoming freshmen at BRHS and other local high schools.

For more information about the Starfish Initiative or how you can invest in the life of a high school student by serving as their mentor, visit www.starfishinitiative.org or call their office at (317) 955-7915.