The St. Johns County Education Foundation, under the auspices of Investing in Kids, celebrated 13 graduating seniors in its Take Stock in Children St. Johns County Class of 2025.
Since 1998, INK has managed Take Stock in Children-St. Johns, awarding more than $2 million in donor-supported scholarships.
Cathy Newman, INK’s executive director, described the graduating class as a milestone.
“One hundred percent of our Take Stock in Children 2025 graduates are moving on to post-secondary education,” she said in a news release. “In the past 20 years, 96% of our local Take Stock graduates have continued their education past high school, with 62% earning their associate’s, bachelor’s, and/or master’s degree.”
Newman thanked support organizations, college and career advisors and mentors, including business professional and community members for their efforts in supporting the program.
Florida’s Take Stock in Children is designed to break the cycle of poverty for low-income students by providing opportunities for degrees through postsecondary education. Qualified high school students receive guidance through volunteer mentors, college and career coaching and academic scholarships.
Students commit to attending classes, maintaining a 2.5 grade point average and remaining drug and crime-free.
Take Stock in Children graduates receive tuition scholarships in the amount of 60 credit hours to a Florida state college or technical college.
Members of this year’s graduating class are headed to the University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Florida State College of Jacksonville, Daytona State College and First Coast Technical College.
INK! celebrated the 45-year educational career of retiring St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson with a graduate scholarship award.
The Take Stock in Children application window is available for eighth-, ninth- and 10th-grade students attending St. Johns County public schools. Go to https://formstack.io/5EBEA to apply. To learn more about Take Stock in Children in St. Johns County or to become a mentor, contact Jim Wheeler at james.wheeler@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
