49 NEW 7^th GRADE TAKE STOCK SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

For 49 Keys seventh graders, one of the most important day in their young lives came last week.  They signed their Take Stock In Children scholarship contracts, with parents, mentors, donors, school officials, and friends watching.  The ceremonies were conducted by Tom Sawyer, president of the Monroe County Education Foundation and Take Stock Program Coordinator Steve Bear.

Sending his congratulations, Marcus Christian, president of Florida’s Take Stock In Children, Inc., was very happy,  “Monroe County enjoys the state’s highest per capita Take Stock In Children participation rate.  By extending the Take Stock opportunity to EVERY eligible, qualified student, the caring citizens of Monroe are building a exemplary legacy of opportunity and achievement”.

After graduating from high school, each new recipient will attend any of the 28 community colleges in Florida for two years and then continue in any of the 11 state universities for two more years.  The Take Stock scholarship pays ALL tuition for these four years.

Since the launch of Take Stock in Monroe County, donors in the Keys have raised over $1,000,000 to finance the purchase of scholarship contracts for our deserving youth.  The state legislature has matched all local donations.

STUDENT DATA (as of November 15, 2002)

2001-2002 Scrapbook

Take Stock in Children 2002 Graduates

Monroe County School Board members and Superintendent Mike Lannon attended the Take Stock graduation at Sombrero County Club.  The three students are (from left to right): 

Angelina Bargallo (Coral Shores HS)
Johanna Herrera (Marathon HS)
Thant Htoo Myat (Key West HS).

Monroe County Schools and Take Stock in Children celebrate first six graduates!

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Roth presents a check for $35,000 to Tom Sawyer, President of the Monroe County Education Foundation, for the scholarship fund of the Take Stock In Children program.

Florida Commissioner of Education Scholarship Recipient

Steve Bear, working with Mr. John Padget sponsored a recognition party for the State of Florida President of Take Stock, Mr. Don Pemberton. During the party several wonderful things happened:

• The Military Affairs Committee awarded a $1,500.00 scholarship
• Sheriff Rick Roth donated $30,000.00 to the scholarship fund, again reaffirming his total support of the program. Sheriif Roth has been a supporter of the program since 1996.

Take Stock in Children Program
 Another Major Boost in May, 2000

• The State of Florida has doubled their financial support of our program for next year. Next year the State will provide $80,000.00  to further enhance the recruitment of mentors, training and overall management of the program.
  

• Mr. Padget pledged an additional $100,000.00 in scholarship money with a 15 month challenge period for the district to match this and then to gain the State's double match opportunity. This in turn is matched by State dollars and becomes worth $6,000.00. This buys a scholarship for four years of college.
  

• The Education Foundation, with Tom Sawyer as president, administers this program.  Steve Bear is the County Coordinator and any questions should be directed to Steve.