Take Stock In Children of Monroe County Receives Recognition Award
The
16th Judicial Circuit of the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program
recognized the Monroe County's Take Stock In
Children Program at the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on Saturday,
January 17th at the Hilton Resort, as its Community
Advocate of the Year. Key Note Speaker, the Honorable Sandra Taylor,
acknowledged the great services provided to the children of Monroe County by
the volunteers from a wide range of programs. Take Stock
In Children Program Coordinator, Steve Bear,
accepted the award on behalf of the Monroe County Education Foundation, the
lead agency for Monroe County’s Take Stock Program. Guest speaker, Chief
Judge Richard Payne, also commended the exceptional efforts of community
volunteers who consistently and diligently provide support to so many
children in our county. The Take Stock program currently has 256 students,
from grades 7 thru 12, in its program. Each student is paired with a
community volunteer mentor who meets with them weekly to provide guidance
and support. Upon graduation, each student receives the opportunity for a
four year college scholarship. There are also 16 graduates from the Monroe
County program in post secondary education programs.
Pictured: (L. to R.) Paula Graff, Take Stock Mentor and Guardian Ad Litem, Honorable Judge Sandra Taylor, Steve Bear, Program Coordinator, Take Stock In Children, Chief Judge Richard Payne
The Monroe County TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN PROGRAM Signs 39 New 7th Grade Scholarships
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The Monroe County Education Foundation, in partnership with the District School Board, celebrated the signing of 39 new 7th grade scholarship recipients at five district schools during the past week. The signing celebrations were attended by members of the Education Foundation, District School Board members, donors, community guests and Superintendent of Schools, Mr. John Padget. Each of the students, their parents and mentors signed the Take Stock In Children contract agreement, officially providing them with the opportunity for four years of college tuition. |
The scholarship opportunity provides two years at any of the states 28 community colleges, followed by two years at any of the state colleges or universities. The students agree to maintain a 70% in all course work, follow the school district code of student conduct, attend school regularly and remain crime and drug free.
Tom Sawyer, President of the Monroe County Education Foundation, informed the students and parents that “statistics have shown that a college education provides over one million dollars more in earning power during a work career above that of a high school graduate” and encouraged each student to honor their contract. Each student is assigned a volunteer mentor from our community who meets with them weekly during the school year. Cheryl Fritch, a new mentor at Key Largo School, stated that “my son is a Take Stock In Children scholar who is about to graduate and I now want to participate and give something back to the community.”
The mentors provide an additional support system to help guide and encourage each student to follow the rules of their agreement and to achieve at their highest level. Superintendent John Padget addressed each of the five gatherings and shared his support as both Take Stock State Board member and program benefactor. The Superintendent stated that “we have grown our local Take Stock program to include every qualified student in grades 7 thru 11, and lead the state in scholarship awards based on student population.”
The Monroe County program currently has 256 students ranging from grades 7 thru 12 in the program. Sixteen students have already graduated and moved on to post secondary education. Steve Bear, Program Coordinator, expressed his gratitude to the community saying “we can not sign a student to a scholarship opportunity without a mentor, and this community, from Key West to Key Largo, has provided us with over 256 mentors. We are one of the very few counties that have continually maintained a 100% student-mentor match.”
This May, the Take Stock In Children program will graduate its largest class of twenty-eight seniors. For additional information, call or e-mail Steve Bear, Program Coordinator at 293-1546 or bears@monroe.k12.fl.us
Congratulations to the students, families
and mentors of the
2003-2004 Take Stock In Children scholarships.
