Mary Starks, Ph.D., MSW, is the BSW Program Director / Administrative Faculty in the School of Cultural and Family Psychology Social Work Program, was recently featured as the keynote speaker at John Hope Continuation High School’s commencement ceremony in Los Angeles Unified School District. It was an important moment to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the students, as well as an opportunity for Dr. Starks to reinforce her important connection to her community.
“I was a little nervous but highly honored to have been selected as the keynote speaker at John Hope High School’s 2022 commencement ceremony,” Dr. Starks says. “I wanted to encourage the graduates to thrive and meet their goals despite obstacles they might face. The feeling of having a lasting impression on young people was inspiring to me and reminded me of my passion for youth work and mentoring.”
Dr. Starks focused her speech on a guiding message: never give up and keep moving forward.
Never Give Up
The inspiration behind the theme “never give up” has personal significance to Dr. Starks. She says, “My mother would always tell my siblings and me, ‘no matter what you do, don’t ever give up.’ I held on to those words. They’re the most important words of encouragement I’ve received in my life.” In her commencement speech, she passed on this encouragement to the students.
“We come from a legacy of people and community that helped build our character, determination, and resilience to overcome the challenges, frustration, and systemic racism we deal with,” she reminded students, highlighting the importance of persistence. “Your ancestors paved the way for you to have a seat at the table of opportunities and possibilities. It is your turn to ensure the same opportunities for those coming behind you to have access to a seat at the table in an effort to continue the advancement of positive systemic change in our communities.”
The ceremony also allowed Dr. Starks to meet and get to know the graduates on a more personal level. During the ceremonial proceedings, Dr. Starks noticed a student with a photo of her mother on her graduation cap. Dr. Starks inquired about the situation with a teacher, who shared the story with the student’s permission. “The student’s mother passed away a few years ago while waiting for a liver transplant,” Dr. Starks explains. “Her mother was in the hospital and was not allowed visitors due to COVID protocol. The student and her siblings were only able to view their mother after her passing.”
This story had a major impact on Dr. Starks, stressing the weight of the obstacles many of the students still face in their life’s pursuits. “After graduation, I approached the student to offer encouragement,” she says. “As we spoke, her grandmother joined and asked if I would mentor her granddaughter. I said yes and gave her my number. After hearing about her story, I have not stopped thinking about that student.”
The student who lost her mother was not the only person whose story touched Dr. Starks as she met graduates and families after the ceremony. She also spoke to many students who needed help with job applications and other preparations for professional success.
After the ceremony, Dr. Starks expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to speak in an email to the school principal. “It was an absolute pleasure participating in such a fantastic graduation ceremony,” she wrote. “It reminded me of the ongoing work needed in youth advocacy work and reminded me of what I was missing.” Such a strong reminder, in fact, that Dr. Starks chose to continue working with the Hope High School students.
Keep Moving Forward
Dr. Starks returned to the high school two days after the ceremony as a volunteer, facilitating a job readiness workshop for student graduates who didn’t have summer jobs or who weren’t enrolled in college.
There, she was greeted by several graduates who had waited 45 minutes to participate in her workshop. “It was so encouraging. Mentoring matters!” Dr. Starks says. The students who attended the workshop will be informed of summer work opportunities. Dr. Starks also is now working with Hope High School to create a virtual college readiness workshop for students not enrolled in college.
In addition to the assistance and resources Dr. Starks brought to the Hope High School graduates, her work carried even greater significance for them. “The most meaningful aspect of my work with the students was being able to connect with them and capture their attention,” she says. “It meant a lot to them that I’d kept the promise I’d made to them on graduation day to return and continue to help.”
Dr. Starks also draws attention to the significance Pacific Oaks College has had in her ability to pursue opportunities like those at Hope High School. “I was able to have that impact because Pacific Oaks encourages faculty to volunteer in their communities, providing us with time off to do so,” she says. “Knowing I have the support of Dr. Bree Cook, [vice president] of academic affairs, and President Jack Paduntin allows me to be creative in connecting with my community as I build partnerships.”
The power of community runs deep at the heart of Pacific Oaks’ values. According to Dr. Starks, “It means respecting the communities our students come from and valuing the importance of their unique perspectives as a strength for our entire college. It also means supporting and guiding students as they draw on their personal experiences to build foundations that will allow them to positively impact the communities they will serve in the future.”
Dr. Starks’ background at Pacific Oaks also proved to be ideal preparation for her work at Hope High School. “At Pacific Oaks, I often mentor students or provide them with support beyond the classroom as they face personal challenges that impact their ability to concentrate on their education, much like the students at John Hope High School,” she explains. “The combination of my 28-plus years of experience in community-based and youth development work, as well as my work assisting Pacific Oaks students to address barriers impacting their education, contributed the preparation to connect with John Hope High School students.”
This work has impacted Dr. Starks as much as the Hope High School graduates who remain in her thoughts. “I hope they will eventually identify their purpose and work diligently towards completing their educational and career goals. And I hope they never give up on those goals despite systemic disparities impacting their community and unforeseen obstacles,” she says. “I also hope that the students stay connected to their support system, positive mentors, friends, and available resources.”
Dr. Starks presents her speech at John Hope Continuation High School’s 2022 commencement ceremony
Dr. Starks poses with Hope High School graduates and their family members after the ceremony
