The St. Johns County Education Foundation, which operates as Investing in Kids (INK!), hosted an awards ceremony to honor Take Stock in Children (TSIC) graduating seniors in St. Johns County on May 15 at St. Augustine High School in St. Augustine.
Fourteen TSIC students were recognized in a distinct program highlighting their academic achievements. The students will be attending college supported by a scholarship funded by individual donors, corporate sponsors and community partners.
The evening program featured Tim Forson, superintendent of the St. Johns County School District, who shared his remarks and acknowledged students, mentors, teachers, high school principals, school board members, INK! staff and volunteers for their support of the program and the graduating seniors.
Since 1998, INK! has been the exclusive umbrella agency in St. Johns County for Take Stock in Children, a statewide nonprofit organization that offers deserving low-income students the unique opportunity to earn college scholarships through educational support, mentorship and college success coaching.
Students apply to participate in TSIC when they are in the eighth grade in St. Johns County public schools. Upon acceptance into the program, they sign a contract to maintain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA), uphold good behavior and attendance, and stay drug and crime free. TSIC is a public-private partnership unique in the State of Florida.
All monetary donations received by INK! for the Take Stock in Children program are directed to the purchase of the scholarships and are fully matched by Florida Prepaid Foundation with funding by the State Legislature. Community partners and business owners also provide significant support to help with academic and educational assistance.
According to Donna Lueders, INK! executive director, this year’s graduating seniors persevered through particularly challenging moments through high school.
“The COVID pandemic disrupted much of the first year of high school for this year’s graduates,” she said. “During the pandemic, these students learned both in the classroom and online through unchartered territory in education. We have great respect for this group of graduates.”
The event also honored TSIC mentors who are extraordinary volunteers dedicated to students at critical points in their young lives.
According to James Wheeler, INK!’s operations and student programs director, and long-time program director of Take Stock in Children in St. Johns County, each graduating senior earned a scholarship with a value of approximately $6,500, equal to 60 credit hours of tuition at a state college in Florida. Students were honored for their academic accomplishments and donors were recognized through named scholarships for the students.
The Take Stock in Children graduates are as follows:
Wolfe was awarded the James Wheeler Sr. Super Senior Scholarship for outstanding character, work ethic, community service, and academic success. The scholarship is valued at $6,000. He will attend the University of Florida in the fall semester.
Volunteer mentors for the class of 2023 were honored at the event including Anne Berkey, Kevin Bush, Jenny Cox, Gary Deck, Erin Dooley, Diane Farmer, Danny Gurr, Ian MacDonald, Rob Kenner, Yanetta Smith and Kerri Murphy.
