This graduation signifies that these students have met with their Take Stock in Children mentor once per week, maintained a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and remained drug and crime free. This is the commitment that each Take Stock in Children scholar makes upon joining the program in order to receive a college scholarship.
“This is a milestone achievement for Take Stock in Children as we celebrate breaking the cycle of poverty through education,†says Angi Brown, Program Director of Take Stock in Children of Santa Rosa County. “We are extremely proud of our students who will now take the next steps and make their college dreams a reality.â€
The formal ceremony will serve as part of a series of graduations taking place across the state and will gather community leaders, mentors, parents and supporters of Take Stock in Children to recognize the successful seniors. Jeffrey Day, the first college graduate from the Santa Rosa County Take Stock in Children program, will return as the guest speaker for this special event.
Along with a scholarship, Take Stock in Children’s graduating scholars will also receive complimentary college survival guides filled with information to help ease their transition to college, such as helpful tips on budgeting expenses, on-site support services and more. Sponsors of this significant effort include The Florida Lottery, Comcast, Florida Crystals, Helios Education Foundation and Berkowitz Pollack Brant.
To learn more about Take Stock in Children or to become a valued mentor or supporter, please call 712-2264 or visit www.takestockinchildren.org.
Graduates:
Gulf Breeze High
Mic Bourgeois
Laura Cannella
Lauren Earnest
Kyle Koester
Milton High
Jaysea Coates
Karissa Hebner
Adrian Morton
Sarah Stewart
Navaree High
Maya Garrett
Amanda Hayes
Meghan Slaybaugh
Pace High
Misty Gardner
Lacey Heath
Dakota Major
Cindy Nguyen
Daniel Smithson
Matthew Vance
John Weith
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