LARGO, Fla. – The Pinellas Education Foundation will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its Take Stock in Children (TSIC) program and the 220 Take Stock scholars who will graduate this May at an event at Largo High School on Thursday, April 19th. The reception starts at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6:30 p.m. Media is welcome to attend.
The Take Stock in Children program, now a state-wide initiative found in every Florida county, was created by the Pinellas Education Foundation in 1992 with the help of Pinellas County Schools and made possible through the generous donations and support of corporate partners, individuals and alumni who invest in the scholarship program.
Since the program began, more than 5,000 students in Pinellas County have received a college scholarship valued at approximately $45 million. Many of these students are the first in their family to go to college and the current high school graduation rate of the Take Stock scholars is 96%. The Pinellas Education Foundation matches donor commitments with Florida Prepaid Foundation funds to make a greater impact and reach more students. Pinellas County is the largest TSIC community in the state, with the Foundation managing 18% of the total TSIC Scholarships in Florida.
Each year, several signing events occur where students, typically in grades 6 –10, are promised the opportunity to receive a scholarship upon graduation providing they agree to earn a C or better in each class they take, attend school regularly, have good behavior in and outside of school, meet with a TSIC mentor, and remain crime and drug free among other items.
Mentoring is a huge portion of the program, and the Foundation is proud to train and support its 800 mentors who meet with and encourage the Take Stock students at school every week for 30 minutes during the school year.
The event will include a recognition of the work done over the past 25 years and a presentation of scholarships and medallions for the 220 seniors of the program. These seniors will be heading to more than 25 different colleges and technical schools including the University of South Florida, Florida State, University of Florida and St. Petersburg College.
About The Pinellas Education Foundation
The Pinellas Education Foundation is an independent, non-governmental not-for-profit established in 1986. The Foundation’s mission is to accelerate educational achievement for ALL students through the effective mobilization of innovation, relationships and resources. Well known Pinellas Education Foundation programs include: Academies of Pinellas, Enterprise Village, Finance Park, Take Stock in Children Scholarships, Youth Connect and Fund A Classroom Grants. www.pinellaseducation.org