A Guiding Hand
Written by Alexis Vergara, College of Southern Idaho
I first met John Paskett, the Campus Coordinator at the College of Southern Idaho, in 2013 when my class from Cassia High School visited to complete the FAFSA. I didn’t know much about college then. I was a first-generation student with no guidance at home, unsure of what my future could look like. His warmth stood out immediately. As a student who often felt overlooked, his patience and genuine attention made a lasting impression. He helped me create my first e-mail and explained why it mattered as I stepped into adulthood. That moment revealed his deeper commitment to helping students succeed.
After graduation, life became more challenging than I had expected. I became a teen parent, and soon after, the mother of my child stepped out of our relationship. The future I had pictured—college, stability, and direction—collapsed before me. I struggled with unhealthy coping habits and periods where I completely doubted myself. Still, something in me held on to the thought that I needed to try again.
When I returned to the college months later, John welcomed me exactly as before—cheerful, calm, and genuinely invested in helping me move forward. He guided me through every step of enrollment, ensuring I understood everything. After I signed up for classes, he tried contacting me about documents I still needed to complete, but I hadn’t set up voicemail yet. When I finally returned his call, he explained how important it was to be reachable, especially when responsibilities start piling up. Setting up voicemail that day changed the way I handled communication and taught me a higher level of accountability.
During my early semesters, unresolved emotions from my past made it difficult to stay focused. My grades slipped, and maintaining confidence felt impossible. John noticed before I realized it. He reminded me of the GPA requirements and encouraged me to stay disciplined. That push helped me refocus and finish my first semester even stronger than I expected.
By my second semester, my life took another downward turn, and I was unable to finish my finals due to being in jail. It was one of the lowest points of my academic journey. My mother reached out to John, and instead of judgment, he responded with compassion. He spoke with my instructors and arranged for me to complete my exams once I returned. He protected my chance at education when I neglected even the basic care of my own life.
In 2025, after cycles of instability, homelessness, and personal struggles, I came back determined to finish what I started. John listened patiently, stayed late on a Friday to help me, and guided me through FAFSA once again, along with scheduling and financial planning. After all those years, he still cared.
Finishing this degree will make me the first in my family to earn one, standing as proof that—with guidance like John’s—I could rise above hardship and build a meaningful future.
Visit our FAQ page or contact contests@nisod.org or (512) 471-7545 for more information.