Volusia County Take Stock in Children Students Honored
Take Stock in Children, a statewide scholarship and mentoring program facilitated locally through FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools, hosted its annual New Student Induction & Senior Recognition Ceremony on April 26 at Daytona International Speedway. The event recognized newly selected participants as well as graduating high school seniors. As proud parents, mentors and sponsors looked on, 17 new students were welcomed into the program in a ceremony conducted by FUTURES President & TSIC Leadership Council Chair Paula Gregory, CPA, and TSIC Student Services & Mentor Coordinator Shimene Shepard. Volusia County School Board Chairman Linda Cuthbert and Chief Academic Officer Teresa Marcks provided their congratulations and best wishes to each of the incoming freshmen and graduating seniors. Seventh Judicial County Judge Judith Campbell performed the induction as students and parents attested to their commitment to abide by the program’s rules. The students will have the benefit of volunteer mentors working with them throughout their high school years, as well as the support of Take Stock Student Services & Mentor Coordinator Ms. Shepard and College Success Coaches Justine Florez and Laura Reece, to ensure they successfully graduate from high school and are prepared for college.
The following Volusia TSIC incoming scholars will be high school freshmen in the 2018 – 2019 school year: Samantha Cox, Timmera Lewis and Brynn Wilkes, DeLand High School; Joseph Johnson and Selvina Bernard, Mainland High School; Sierra Blythe, Ja’Quane Reaves and Katelyn Thigpen, Pine Ridge High School; Nikole Bordones, Seabreeze High School; Hannah Blake, Nadine Elzeidy, Dearisee Irons, and Mya Pagan, Spruce Creek High School; Jaylin Gonzalez and Ubaldo Hernandez, T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High School; and Jacob Laakso and Vanessa Rodriguez, University High School. Thirteen members of Volusia Take Stock’s Class of 2018 who are graduating from Volusia County high schools later this month also were recognized. The following 11 students will receive a Florida Prepaid four-year college tuition scholarship: Kimberly Griffiths, DeLand High School; Ivan Lopez and O’Dregon Smith, Mainland High School; Frangelica O’Connor, New Smyrna Beach High School; Denaijah Williams, Pine Ridge High School; Zhane Jackson, Richard Milburn Academy West; Allison Tiano, Seabreeze High School; Tais Wilson, Spruce Creek High School; Sarah Johnson, Isael Mancilla, and Gabriela Soto, T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High School. The following 2 students will receive Florida Prepaid two-year college tuition scholarships: Jenna Carbuccia, Atlantic High School, and Kiana Burbank, DeLand High School. Ceremony keynote speakers were Volusia TSIC 2018 Mentor of the Year Mary Jo Allen and TSIC Mentor Marie Wilson. Both mentors provided insights as a mentor and advice to the students in attendance. Ivan Lopez, a TSIC senior at Mainland High School, provided the student greetings. Mr. Lopez was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Award for Volusia TSIC and received special recognition from TSIC President and CEO Jillian Hasner. TSIC scholars are selected in eighth grade based upon financial need, academic achievement, good character and community involvement. Scholarships are funded through community and individual donations as well as proceeds from fundraisers presented by FUTURES, such as the recent Caribbean Party. FUTURES Foundation works directly with the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Foundation S.T.A.R.S. (Scholarship Tuition For At-Risk Students) Program for dollar-for-dollar matching funds on the purchase of these scholarships. Since the Stanley Tate Project S.T.A.R.S. scholarship program began, more than 29,000 scholarships have been awarded statewide to low-income students at risk of dropping out of school, and who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to attend college. Donations to purchase scholarships are accepted throughout the year and mentors are being recruited for these new students. Anyone interested in donating or volunteering 30 minutes each week on school campus may contact TSIC Student Services and Mentor Coordinator Shimene Shepard at sashepar@volusia.k12.fl.us or 386-255-6475, ext. 50724 for additional information. SUMMER 2018 61