Ashley Green, an alumna of Florida State University, said her son Bryson, a kindergartner at John G. Riley Elementary School, has always dreamed big about his future.
“I would love for him to attend Florida State but I’m not pressuring him. I do make him aware that college is an option for him,” Green told the Tallahassee Democrat.
Well, that option is now being covered.
Green and five other parents sat in the Riley Elementary School library Thursday under the impression that their children were being honored for Student of the Month. But it was much bigger than that.
Shannon Smith is managing director at The Moore Agency, the marketing and communications firm that adopted the school in 2020.
“A college education is life changing and so I decided to ask our classroom connection sponsors to join me in providing scholarships to one student from every kindergarten classroom,” Smith said.
For the first time ever, participants in the Tallahassee Chamber’s Classroom Connection Program donated six Florida Prepaid Scholarships to kindergartners at the school.
The students were selected by school leaders based on financial need, academics and teacher nominations.
“It truly takes a village to make a difference in a child’s life, and it wouldn’t happen without your support,” Superintendent Rocky Hanna told the parents, faculty and donors present.
The life changing event come as a combined effort to help break the cycle of poverty in the lives of students at the school that sits in the center of the state’s poorest zip code.
“We have cultivated a culture of high expectations, innovation and an unwavering belief in our students, and we have built this environment to foster strong partnerships with our community partners,” Principal Maurice Stokes said.
The scholarships will cover 30 college credits at any school of their choosing, meaning their first year will be covered. In addition, the students will be assigned a mentor to guide them along their academic journey.
The children didn’t really get what all the fuss was about. They simply smiled and said “thank you” when receiving their scholarships.
But their parents knew what it meant.
“I’m glad that his first year is covered and I am appreciative of this. It was so generous of everyone,” Green said.
The donations were made possible with support from Carroll and Company CPAs, Kessler Construction, MillCreek Financial, The Moore Agency, the Mullin Family, and Sparkle Boutique.
The students who received scholarships are:
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached atABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X:@AlaijahBrown3.
