Meet our 2026 Difference Makers
SOUTHERN CAYUGA CONVERSATIONS by Elaine Meyers
Becky Davis and Paul Hayden stand in front of the Southern Cayuga Anne Frank tree.
As I take a photo of Becky Davis and Paul Hayden standing in front of the Southern Cayuga Central School's Anne Frank Tree, I think of the continued inspiration of Anne's life and words. The tree, planted in 2013, is one of 11 in the United States and is a direct descendant of the tree Anne wrote about in her diary. Becky and Paul are our 2026 SCAFT Community and Student Difference Makers. Difference-makers are defined as community members and students who voluntarily dedicate their time and talents in the spirit of understanding, equity and social justice. I asked them how the Anne Frank Tree gives meaning to their lives.
Paul began, "The tree inspires me because of the times Anne lived and how she had to deal with circumstances beyond her control. I look at the many people today who are not treated fairly and think we all must learn to help." Becky continued, "Anne's diary has always helped me be brave. If Anne can be brave, I have no excuse for not stepping up. I am also inspired by Harriet Tubman's story. We follow the steps of very brave girls and women in our region."
“Anne’s diary has always helped me be brave. If Anne can be brave, I have no excuse for not stepping up. I am also inspired by Harriet Tubman’s story. We follow the steps of very brave girls and women in our region.”
Becky Davis has taught at Southern Cayuga since 2002, and for the last 20 years she has been the driving force behind our English Language Learners program. In addition to her duties as a teacher and coordinator of the program, Becky has invested a great deal of time in helping the teaching staff adapt to a population that is learning English and to navigate our culture. She helps students with the college application process and has even taken students to college.
Becky helps immigrant families enroll children in school and provides information about local resources, including health care, legal services, banking and other professional services. She has translated for families at the doctor's office, in court and in business transactions, and has assisted families in securing legal help in creating power-of-attorney documents in case parents and children are separated. Becky serves as a proxy at the local food pantry and delivers food to families whose safety is compromised by ICE.
I asked Becky about rewards and challenges in her work.
"The rewards are great. I am recognized as 'abuela' or 'grandma,' and love to be considered a family member. It is hard to adapt to a new life in a new country. My father's family immigrated from Canada, and he never felt that he was equal. I work to make sure that no one feels that way today. I also love the big hugs I get when I deliver food."
Becky has served on the Southern Cayuga Instant Aid board and the PTO, and was active with her children in 4-H.
"My son had an immigrant student in his class, and I noticed that over time, his Spanish-speaking parents spent less time coming to school events. We needed an environment where language was not a barrier to parental participation. Recently, I was helping a mother whose child had a disability. I explained our school resources and how to enroll her child. The smile on her face when she realized that we valued her child and that she could call me with any questions is all the reward I need. I tell everyone that our Spanish speaking community is family and that we all need to get to know our migrant neighbors before we judge them."
Paul Hayden is a member of Southern Cayuga varsity indoor and outdoor track, varsity cross-country and varsity soccer. We talked about his teammates who were English language learners. "They are some of our best players and great members of our teams. They have lots of energy and are fun. They bring experience, dedication and culture. Sports contain a language of their own — a language that all of us athletes learn regardless of how we speak."
“Sports contain a language of their own — a language that all of us athletes learn regardless of how we speak.”
Paul has been in the National Honor Society for the past three years and has served as a class officer for the past two years. He is a Y-Pals mentor and is in Becky Davis's Spanish 5 class. His fluency in Spanish is enabling him to compete for a New York Seal of Biliteracy before he graduates in June. In 2024, he began volunteering with the King Ferry Food Pantry.
"My work with the food pantry has allowed me to work with Mrs. Davis and many of my classmates' families. I see the challenges of coming to a new country. I try and imagine myself in their shoes. It takes time to fit into any new community and have basic survival support. At the food pantry, I see that in spite of how hard you work, you often need help putting food on the table. Our community is strong because we know how to support one another through collaboration and selflessness."
Elaine Meyers, of King Ferry, is a member of the boards of the Southern Cayuga anne Frank tree Project, Finger Lakes Library System and Southern Cayuga Garden Club. She works with the Emily Howland Elementary School literacy and media committees and is the author of "Iron Pants," published in 2022.