The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation is in its 26th year of sponsoring Take Stock in Children and celebrated the accomplishments of 14 graduates and the potential of 17 newly selected scholars May 4 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 lives. “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,” said 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 situations. Students with good grades, good attendance and good discipline records who meet the income eligibility requirement can 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,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “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.”
Baker School
Kayleb Wagner – Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative Scholar
Choctawhatchee High School
Emily (Emerson) DeSimone – Panhandle Job Fair Foundation Scholar
Jonathan Dutton
Dylan Wagoner – Linda Evanchyk Scholar
Collegiate High School
Amyas Worthen – Florida Power and Light Northwest FL Scholar
Crestview High School
Sydney Ganey – Florida Power and Light Northwest FL Scholar
Tyniyah Haughton
Fort Walton Beach High School
Adriana Asque
Jania Bartley – Florida Power and Light NW FL Scholar
Angelo Posadas
Adria Womack – Cindy and Michael Gates Scholar
Niceville High School
Riley Clark
Caden Gatlin – David Morgan Scholar
Erik Sirmans – Mid-Bay Rotary Scholar
Congratulations to our Newly Selected Scholars
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
To learn more about the TSIC program or about mentoring a scholar, visit the OPSF website.
