IRSC Recognizes Take Stock In Children Scholarship Recipients and Graduates

April 30, 2019 Robert Lane

Deserving middle- and high-school students from St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties earned a valuable incentive for future success at a recent scholarship recognition ceremony at Indian River State College (IRSC). 44 students were named the 2019 recipients of four-year tuition Take Stock in Children Scholarships.

The 2019 Take Stock in Children new scholarship recipients.

Susanne Clemons with the Take Stock in Children Pete Clemons Memorial Scholar students shown left to right: Anna Velten, new Pete Clemons Memorial Scholar, and Lataveous Barrett, high school graduate, Sally Tijerina, IRSC graduate, who were both previous Pete and Susanne Clemons Scholars.

José and Mary Ann Conrado with the 2019 Take Stock in Children José and Mary Ann Conrado Scholars, Sarah Binning, new recipient and Diego Garcia, high school graduate.

Hope Woodhouse and Barbara Detwiler with the John’s Island Community Service League Scholars. Students shown left to right are: Kama White, high school graduate; Makayla Lemus, new recipient; Alyssa Thompson, new recipient; Maria Camacho Varga, high school graduate; Cristiana Wozniak, IRSC graduate; Leonardo Benitez, new recipient; and Keoni Stinson, high school graduate.

Susan Klein and Michael Minton stand with the Take Stock in Children Robert “Bobby” Klein Memorial Endowment Scholars Karla Castro, new recipient, and Elysa Jenkins who is a high school and IRSC Dual Enrollment graduate.

Mallonee Family Foundation Scholars with Elizabeth Mallonee. Student shown left to right are: Mackenzie Troha, high school graduate; Unique Rosario, high school graduate; Eltaneia Francois, new recipient; Mariela Vertiz, high school graduate; Lelonnie Beathia, IRSC graduate; and Gaensly Laguerre, IRSC graduate.

Michael and Misty Minton with the Take Stock in Children Michael and Misty Minton Scholars Gabriela Muñiz, new recipient, and Alexa Leyva Mendez, high school graduate.

Okeechobee Educational Foundation Scholars Teresa Ramirez-Garcia, a new recipient and Stephanie Garcia, high school graduate, with organizations members Lynda Syfrett and Ken Kenworthy, Okeechobee School District Superintendent.

Ruth Ann Vega with Yuritzi Mariano, the 2019 Ruth Ann Vega Take Stock in Children Scholar.

The 2019 Sailfish Point Foundation Scholars with organization members Susan Kane and Diane Lusk. Students shown left to right are (front): Mahetzy Lopez-Resendiz, new recipient; Anahesy Valdes, new recipient; Iraida Morales-Diaz, new recipient; Lucy Lopez Velasquez, high school graduate; Rufina Giles, high school graduate; Fatima Alvarez, new recipient; (rear) Leslie Ramos-Gutierrez, new recipient; Jerry Bamaca Villatoro, new recipient; Juana Jose, IRSC graduate; Joseline Torres, high school graduate; Magaly Perez, high school graduate; Maribel Baza, IRSC graduate.

The 2019 Take Stock in Children high school graduates.

The 2019 Take Stock in Children IRSC graduates.

In addition to recognizing new recipients, this special award ceremony acknowledges the outstanding accomplishments of 55 high school graduates and 29 IRSC graduates.

Since 1997 more than 1,091 Take Stock in Children scholarships have been awarded to students through the IRSC Take Stock in Children program, with the provision that they meet the positive challenges of the program and graduate from high school.

Designed to motivate and assist students who show academic promise and who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend college, the program matches scholarship recipients with adult volunteer mentors from the community who provide guidance and encouragement. All selected scholarship recipients sign a contract, agree to maintain good grades, stay out of trouble, stay away from drugs and alcohol, and graduate from high school. Those meeting that challenge receive a Florida Prepaid four-year state college tuition plan scholarship allowing them to attend IRSC to achieve their associate degree, followed by two years at IRSC or another State of Florida public college to earn their Bachelor’s degree.

The Take Stock in Children Scholarship program is made possible through many program partners including the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, the Governor’s Mentoring Initiative, the Indian River State College Foundation, the Indian River County School District, the Martin County School District, the Okeechobee County School District, the St. Lucie County School District, and Take Stock in Children Foundation, Inc.

Take Stock in Children, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, transforming Florida one student at a time. With programs serving in every county throughout Florida, their mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for a post-secondary education. The organization offers college scholarships to students, provides caring volunteer mentors, and instills hope for a better life. For more information regarding Take Stock in Children at IRSC, visit www.irscfoundation.org or contact Betty Saffioti, Program Director at bsaffiot@irsc.edu or by phone at 772-462-7252.