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FLCPS awards $550,000 in scholarships to Take Stock in Children

By Staff | Jun 2, 2021

On May 21 the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools recognized 34 high school seniors graduating from the Take Stock in Children Program.

The graduates will receive a four-year, college tuition scholarship with a total value of approximately $550,000.

A virtual luncheon served as an opportunity for parents, mentors, and members of the business community to recognize the students for completing the program.

“Without a mentor, I don’t think I would have had the ability to graduate,” stated one graduate.  “I didn’t always have a positive motivating adult in my life and my mentor showed me that I was capable of conquering anything I put my mind to.  I know as I move on to college my mentor will be cheering me on and will be a part of my life forever!”

Foundation President & CEO, Marshall T. Bower, Esq. delivered an encouraging speech to the graduates, along with keynote speaker Joe Mitchell, president of Pool Pros, Board Member and current TSIC mentor, who shared inspiring words on how rewarding it is to be a mentor in the TSIC program.  

“These outstanding students all maintained high GPAs and fulfilled their promise to be good citizens of our community,” said Marshall T. Bower, President, and CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “Equipped with a college education they will become our next leaders and decision-makers. Our future is in good hands!”

Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a statewide scholarship program that provides a unique opportunity for deserving students within a low-income and/or at-risk demographic “escape the cycle of poverty through education.”

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools administers the program in Lee County.

Students enter the program in sixth or ninth grade and are required to sign a contract and meet specific expectations. Students are provided with caring volunteer mentors who remain continuously involved with students by providing ongoing educational and career counseling. Having met all of the program’s requirements, students are awarded a four-year college tuition scholarship upon graduation.

This year’s Take Stock in Children Program graduates and their high schools are:

– Axel Arias, East Lee County

– Juliana Arozena, Bonita Springs

– Janice Arteaga, Ida S. Baker

– Kevin Ayala, Riverdale

– Denver Boxleitner, Island Coast

– Takhiya Carter, North Fort Myers

– Corbria Crawford, Dunbar

– Mari Cruz, Estero

– Danays German, Island Coast

– Jordan Goza, Ida S. Baker

– Angelia Greenwell, Ida S. Baker

– Meagan Hetherington, Mariner

– Ka’Davean Jones, Riverdale

– Nathaniel Khan, Fort Myers

– Isaiah Maloy, Dunbar

– Lidialys Martinez, North Fort Myers

– Lizvett Martinez, Lehigh Senior

– Solana Millik, Fort Myers

– Jovanni Ocampo, Dunbar

– Angie Perez, Cape Coral

– Kaylee Proulx, Ida S. Baker

– Edsel Lopez-Ramos, East Lee County

– Jazlyn Reyes, Riverdale

– Rochanda Roache, Dunbar

– Erika Rojas, East Lee County

– Lydia Sanchez-Bruland, South Fort Myers

– Aisha Smaller, Mariner

– Kiandre Smaller, Mariner

– Esther Thervilus, Fort Myers

– Jasmine Thomas, North Fort Myers

– Jordin Tubb, Cypress Lake

– Yesenia Valdez, Bonita Springs

– Virginia Valentin, East Lee County

– Dominic Zuinga, Cape Coral