VOLUSIA TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN SCHOLARS SELECTED

Take Stock in Children (TSIC), a statewide scholarship and mentoring program facilitated locally through FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools, has selected its new students to be inducted into the program. The students will have the benefit of volunteer mentors working with them throughout their high school years, as well as the support of Student Service & Mentor Coordinator Shimene Shepard and College Success Coach Wendy Feigenbaum, to ensure they successfully graduate from high school and are prepared for college.

“We received over 80 applications this year and the selection process was difficult. If funding was available, we would have selected more students. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, we have important services to offer the students of our community. This year we conducted virtual interviews with the students and their parent or guardian which enhanced the selection process.” stated Ms. Shepard.

The following Volusia TSIC incoming scholars will be high school freshmen in the 2020-2021 school year: Makayla Jones and Shayne Thomas, Atlantic High School; Zoe Leonard and Tyler Nill, DeLand High School; Stephanie Clerk, Liana Rodriguez and Catherine Steinruck, Deltona High School; David Cherry, Akeara Clyde, Kasey Collins, Serenna Glaud, and Amariona Parker, Mainland High School; Nicholas Deluca and Mopelola Tofade, New Smyrna Beach High School; Owen Arnold, Pine Ridge High School; Jaclyn Blue, Jaylin Blue and Cohen House, Seabreeze High School; Brianna Miller and Devon Perfors, Spruce Creek High School; Timothy Marchione, Brendan Markham, and Jayro Torres, T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High School; and Jammi Zelya, University High School. Two additional incoming TSIC scholars are sophomore Adrianna Luciano at University High School and junior Olivia Bonjour at Spruce Creek High School.

TSIC scholars are selected in eighth grade based upon financial need, academic achievement, good character and community involvement. Scholars are paired with an adult volunteer mentor who they meet with weekly on school campus during the school year. Scholars also have committed to maintain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) and good school attendance, and stay away from crime, drug, alcohol and gangs while in high school. Scholars will also meet with a TSIC College Success Coach and attend college readiness workshops. Upon graduating high school, scholars will receive a Florida Prepaid College Foundation college tuition scholarship.

Scholarships are funded through community and individual donations as well as proceeds from fundraisers presented by FUTURES Foundation, such as its annual Caribbean Party. FUTURES Foundation works directly with the Stanley Tate Project STARS (Scholarship Tuition For At-Risk Students) Scholarship Program, part of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, which provides dollar-for-dollar matching funds for the purchase of these scholarships. Since the Stanley Tate Project STARS Scholarship Program began, more than 15,000 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 local TSIC scholarships are accepted throughout the year and mentors are being recruited for these new students. Anyone interested in donating towards these scholarships or volunteering as a mentor for 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.