Take Stock In Children Senior Celebration In The Upper Keys

The Monroe County Education Foundation will celebrate the accomplishments of the Take Stock in Children class of 2016 during its Senior Celebration event to be held Tuesday, March 8 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Elks Club located at 92600 Overseas Highway in Tavernier.

Donors, future donors, supporters, mentors, parents, and community members who are interested in learning more about Take Stock in Children are welcome to attend this celebratory event. Participants will have the opportunity to meet our amazing scholars as well as hear from a few of our Upper Keys Take Stock in Children alumni who have earned their degrees and have returned to the Upper Keys, some of whom have even closed the circle and have become mentors for Take Stock.

The Monroe County Education Foundation raises funds each year to buy college scholarships for Take Stock in Children (TSIC), its flagship, award-winning scholarship and mentoring program. Foundation president, Steve Pribramsky praises those who have contributed to Take Stock, stressing the financial obstacles facing our students.  “While the cost of a 4-year college education continues to increase, our donors have generously provided funds that enable our students to attend college, with four years of tuition and fees fully paid.”

“Bringing students and donors together is the key to our successful fundraising,” added John Padget, President Emeritus and long-time TSIC supporter.  “Events like these provide us the opportunity to recognize those in the community who have given so much to ensure that Monroe County students successfully complete a college degree or career certificate.”

Chuck Licis, TSIC Program Coordinator, described the mission of Take Stock in Children. “Our job is to match our students with a volunteer mentor, guide them through middle and high school, and prepare them to be successful in college. With our scholarship, the ability to attend a state college or university is a reality for our Take Stock scholars and earning a college degree is an attainable goal” he said.

About Take Stock in Children in Monroe.

This is the 16th year for Take Stock in Monroe.  All middle and high school students who meet the income level criteria, and have the ability and motivation to attend and graduate from college are enrolled.

The present enrollment has reached 269 students in 11 middle and high schools across the county.  Each student has a dedicated mentor who meets the student once every week on the school campuses.

According to the College Board who administers the SAT tests, Take Stock scholars in Monroe had higher test results than the average of all test takers in both Monroe County and the entire state.

About Take Stock in Children (TSIC).

Students enrolled with TSIC are identified in middle and high school, they are paired with a mentor and sign a contract pledging to remain drug- and crime-free, as well as maintain high grades. All students that fulfill these obligations and successfully complete the Take Stock in Children program receive full tuition scholarships to a state college or university upon graduation. The organization is the largest non-profit purchaser of Florida Prepaid Foundation Scholarships.

An emphasis on student accountability and specific measurable outcomes distinguishes Take Stock in Children from any other statewide mentoring program. Grade point averages increase with the length of time a student spends in the program, proving that Take Stock in Children’s method works.

Clearly addressing the high school drop-out crisis and college attainment, Take Stock in Children continues to report an unparalleled high school graduation rate of 96 percent, with 87 percent enrolling in college. Those numbers are significantly higher than the Florida state averages for at-risk students. Take Stock in Children currently serves nearly 8,200 low-income and minority students in grades 6-12 throughout 67 counties in Florida.

For more information about Take Stock in Children, call 305-293-1546 or email [email protected]

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