Okaloosa County School District Hosts Take Stock in Children STARS Ceremony

The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) is in its 26th year of sponsoring Take Stock in Children (TSIC) and celebrated the accomplishments of our 14 graduates and the potential of our 17 newly selected scholars on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Niceville Community Center. Special guest speakers included TSIC alumna, Justice Woods, and TSIC Leader 4 Life Fellow, Tyniyah Haughton, who shared a few words about their Take Stock experience and the impact the program and their mentors have had on their life. "Take Stock in Children is positively changing the lives of deserving Okaloosa County students through the support of caring mentors and the opportunity to be awarded tuition scholarships to the post-secondary institutions of their choice," stated Deputy Superintendent Steve Horton.

The Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program is a unique and innovative program that provides post-secondary scholarships to deserving youth who may not go on to college because of their families financial situation. Students with good grades, good attendance, and good discipline records who meet the income eligibility requirement are invited to apply for these scholarships. Each student who is selected by the Foundation signs a contract, along with his or her parent, promising to maintain a good school record, to remain drug and crime free and to meet weekly with a community-based mentor. Students who maintain the terms of their contracts are awarded tuition scholarships to the post-secondary institutions of their choice. 

Congratulations to our 2023 Take Stock in Children Graduates
 
"We are incredibly proud of our Take Stock in Children program graduates. They have worked incredibly hard, and I wish them success in their future endeavors. It's exciting to see this program grow as we welcome more students and provide the support they need to succeed," stated Superintendent Marcus Chambers. 


 

Congratulations! We celebrate your accomplishments and look forward to your continued future success. We are grateful for the commitment of your family members, teachers, school administrators, mentors, and scholarship donors who have invested in your future and provided support for the attainment of your educational goals.


 

All newly selected scholars will be matched with a mentor in the upcoming school year. 

Choctawhatchee High School

• Brooke Mignard - Panhandle Job Fair Foundation Scholar

Davidson Middle School

• Enrique Boyett 

• Jocelyn Brame 

• Bradley Mastanduno

• Aiden Neese - Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc Scholar

Fort Walton Beach High School

• Isabelle Crabb - Pathway To Prosperity/ FL Power & Light Scholar

• Taniha Higgins - Pathway To Prosperity/ FL Power & Light Scholar

• Jayden Holt - Pathway To Prosperity/ FL Power & Light Scholar

• Nathan Jucha - Be the Magic Foundation, Inc.

• Jackai Nathaniel - Pathway To Prosperity/ FL Power & Light Scholar

Meigs Middle School

• Sofia Rosell Carreno 

Pryor Middle School

• Destiny Cortez-Reyes 

• Caleb Pearce

• Ayanne Tomlinson

Ruckel Middle School

• Allyson Matthews - Mid-Bay Rotary Scholar

• Lillyan Matthews

Shoal River Middle School

• Bianca Arevalo

Special thanks to our 2022-23 Full 2-Year Scholarship Donors

• Be the Magic Foundation, Inc 

• Eglin Federal Credit Union 

• Florida Power and Light Northwest FL 

• Mid-Bay Rotary Club 

• Panhandle Job Fair Foundation 

• Private Generous Donor 

TSICS Scholarship and Program Contributors

• Center for Lifelong Learning 

• Cindy Frakes 

• GFWC Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club 

• OPSF Board Members