November 12, 2024

Making a difference for “that one”: Scholarship Luncheon connects donors and recipients

You may have heard of “The Starfish Story” before. A man sees a child throwing starfish back into the ocean after a storm. The child is determined, despite the vast number of starfish scattered across the beach. The man points out that there are hundreds of starfish and it's impossible to save them all, but the child replies, "I'm making a difference for that one."

This simple story is the inspiration behind the Tyszka Starfish Scholarship created by alumna Cory Tyszka (JD '14) at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. For Tyszka, the scholarship is her way of making a meaningful difference for at least one student at the school where she once roamed the halls.

But Tyszka’s desire to help others began long before her law career. Before attending law school at age 35, she was a high school math and science teacher. As a first-generation college student, she understood the power of education in opening doors. But she also understood the financial burdens that can come with it.  

For Sophia Khan, a first-year JD student at ASU Law, when she received the Tyszka Starfish Scholarship, she was struggling with feelings of doubt, wondering if she truly belonged at ASU Law.

"I was having one of my hardest weeks full of imposter syndrome when I received the email about the scholarship," Khan told Tyszka at the ASU Law Scholarship Luncheon. "It was a sign to me that I do belong here."

The scholarship luncheon was held on Nov. 8 at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel and also brought together other donors and scholarship recipients. This year, about 117 scholarships were awarded, each one helping students take the next step toward achieving their goals.

Khan's story is a perfect example of how the Tyszka Starfish Scholarship makes a difference. The financial relief it provides helps students like Khan focus more on their studies and less on the financial strain of law school.

There was also a meaningful connection for Khan getting this scholarship. When she applied to ASU Law, she coincidently wrote about the same starfish story that inspired Tyszka to create the scholarship.

This year, Khan is Tyszka’s starfish, with the scholarship making a small but meaningful financial difference for her. That assistance will help Khan continue her pursuit of higher education and eventually find a job where she can make her own difference in others’ lives - just as Tyszka’s scholarship did for her. 

Thanks to donors who contribute to the Sandra Day O'Connor Scholarship Fund at ASU, students like Khan can pursue their dreams with fewer financial worries, knowing they are supported by a community that believes in their potential. These contributions help shape the future of the legal field, create more opportunities for diverse students and foster the next generation of legal leaders.

Written by Crystal Jimenez