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2011 S.T.A.R.S. International
Diver of the Year Nominees
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Candidate #1: Rafael Garcia
Nominated For: Rafael made great strides in all areas of the S.T.A.R.S. program. In the beginning he had little confidence in himself and his ability to succeed in the program. Each successive week he grew and began to step up as a leader in Self-Development discussions while improving his physical performance during Fitness programming. While in the water Rafael would help fellow divers who were struggling to help maintain their safety. Through his journaling he stated that he is achieving things he never thought possible on several occasions. Rafael was an excellent scuba academic student passing all of his tests with 80% or above and he did not need to take the final comprehensive exam. During study sessions he always had all of the questions completed at the end of each section and he would help out fellow divers to keep them on task. Overall I think the S.T.A.R.S. program has positively impacted Rafael the most and I truly believe it may have saved his life. As for his future since, Rafael now believes in himself I could see him following up with his diving and maybe finding a career he could use it in.
Rafael showed a lot of discipline during the 20 open water dives held in South Beloit at Pearl Lake.
Background: Rafael is a first-year S.T.A.R.S. participant from the Kenosha USD program. In Rafael’s own words this is the first real thing he followed through to be successful at. Rafael appeared to lack both parental and peer support but overcame the challenges in the S.T.A.R.S. program against the odds.
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Candidate #2: Jorge Galvan
Nominated For: Jorge has put significant and effort into continuing his diving with the 2011 S.T.A.R.S. program participants. He has a very positive attitude and he's comfortable and skilled in the water. Jorge dives very safe and careful as a dive buddy, and many times I've seen him focused and attentive when diving. Jorge has only missed volunteering at one in-water dive event for the Kenosha program in 2011.
Background: Jorge is a 2010 S.T.A.R.S. graduate who has returned to mentor youth in the 2011 program. Jorge has continued to pursue his diving education in 2011 by advancing his knowledge with a PADI Advanced Open Water, Underwater Navigation, and Search & Recovery Specialty certifications. Jorge has recently accepted a position on the S.T.A.R.S. International Advisory Board and is being groomed for a potential position on the S.T.A.R.S. International Board of Directors and/or staff upon turning age 18. Jorge has also accepted employment as a diver at the Woodfield Mall Rainforest Café using the skills learned through his certification to earn a part-time income.
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Candidate #3: Ana Lilia Medina
Nominated For: Ana juggles a considerable/comprehensive load during the summer while she is supposed to be enjoying her break from college. She assists in every in-water S.T.A.R.S. event in addition to working at least two part-time jobs and staying in shape to return and play competitive soccer at college balanced with her 20 college credit course load. She is an attentive and focused diver who you can trust to be a dive buddy with your best interest and safety foremost in her mind.
Background: Ana is a 2005 S.T.A.R.S. graduate who has returned for the sixth year to mentor youth in the subsequent programs. Despite economic struggles Ana has continued to pursue her diving education through the level of Divemaster in 2010 (first S.T.A.R.S. graduate to achieve this level of certification), with her sites clearly set on Instructor. Throughout the summer Ana has worked extensive hours part-time (including third shift) and still participated in local events. Ana has accepted a position on the S.T.A.R.S. International Advisory Board and is being groomed for a potential position on the S.T.A.R.S. International Board of Directors and the position of staff scuba instructor. Ana is a confident and superior diver who has two past “Mentor of the Year” awards to her credit for stepping out and working with the families and youth in the program.
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2011 S.T.A.R.S. International
Humanitarian of the Year Nominees
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Candidate #1: Mark Niewoehner
Nominated For: Mark, has been there for the Kenosha S.TA.R.S. participants from the beginning and he is always willing to step up to the plate. Mark works well with the kids, explaining and re-explaining as many times as is required without frustration. He has a calm presence about him that the kids respond well to.
Mark really made a difference in the Kenosha program through coaching/helping the kids learn their skills and. The boys really responded to him as well.
Background: Mark is a second-year S.T.A.R.S. staff scuba and EFR (Emergency First Response/CPR) instructor. Besides volunteering for S.T.A.R.S. Mark also volunteers at the Chicago Shedd Aquarium in the role of cleaning and maintenance activities.
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Candidate #2: Kevin Vaughn
Nominated For: Kevin is not only a great instructor but a great person who cares about others even though they get him on his nerves. He does everything on-time and tries his best to keep everybody on task. He always has a plan if anything goes wrong underwater. Kevin puts everybody before himself.
The amount of time and personal and financial sacrifice that Kevin dedicates to the S.T.A.R.S. organization is truly immense. In addition to being director of the organization he is a fireman, putting out fires from the highest level down to the smallest burning embers; from the never ending hurdles of getting the kids through the program to the staff and on up through the Board of Directors.
Last fall the S.T.A.R.S. organization was essentially breaths away from non-existence but the seeds he had previously planted brought about a rebirth like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes with the Kenosha program.
Kenosha being no small distance away required many many hours of his time and many miles distance. Of which he gladly shared by carpooling with staff or by making personal trips back and forth as necessary.
Kevin oversees essentially every step of the process attracting the kids for the program, getting them motivated and keeping them there. Kevin decides when the kids learn the hard lessons in an attempt to teach them the character that will serve them the rest of their lives when they're adults on their own.
Kevin's hand is in the staff development from recruitment to training and going above and beyond the call by also providing room and board on occasion. If staff needs transportation to events he gladly provides that as much as he's able to do so. He also spends many hours personally training volunteer staff in classroom pool and open water settings. When management and finance issues demand attention Kevin is there to deal with them.
You can truly see the heart and soul of the organization is Kevin Vaughn. You can see that he really cares. You can see that he wants the kids to benefit and to learn the bigger lessons. Please consider Kevin Vaughn for Humanitarian of the Year.
Background: Nothing more to add.
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Candidate #3: Ismael Torres
Nominated For: Ismael assumed three roles during the 2011 program in Kenosha this year; Board Member, Fitness Staff member, and none the less important adult “Open Water Student”. Ismael has had as much face-time with the participants and staff as anyone in the program. Ismael is striving to make a difference in the lives of young people through is work with S.T.A.R.S., coaching football, and his involvement with HACEMOS (Mission: Foster an environment where people help each other to succeed professionally).
Background: First year member of S.T.A.R.S. and employee of the host organization.
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