Take Stock in Children is a statewide scholarship program for at-risk students that provides a unique opportunity for deserving students from low-income homes to escape the cycle of poverty through education. The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools is the local administrator of the program. We offer our students college scholarships, caring volunteer mentors and hope for a better life. When these students are accepted into our program, they sign a contract to maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA; stay crime and drug free; and meet with their mentor regularly. When they graduate from high school, having kept this commitment, they are guaranteed a four-year tuition scholarship to college.
Students may apply in sixth grade or ninth grades. The applications are reviewed by our Take Stock in Children Selection Committee and ranked, based on several criteria. We are happy to accept 46 students in Lee County with 10 of them from Lehigh Acres to the Take Stock in Children program this school year. Students were notified at their schools and recognized by their peers. Because of the tremendous gift these students are receiving, Foundation staff chose to surprise and congratulate these deserving students in a manner similar to how we notify our Golden Apple Teacher Finalists. Foundation staff, school administrators, and in some instances, the media interrupted these students’ classes with the good news. The reactions varied from stunned silence to shouts of joy and tears of happiness.
Renu Asrafuzzaman – Lehigh Acres Middle School
Benjamin Mekelski – Lehigh Acres Middle School
Nitchma Coulanges – Lehigh Senior High School
Alexxius Crawford – Lehigh Senior High School
Jada Crespo – Lehigh Senior High School
Shayra Delgado – Lehigh Senior High School
Valerie Joinis – Lehigh Senior High School
Aaliyah Richlen – Lehigh Senior High School
Morgan Wozniak – Lehigh Senior High School
Kiarra Rensel – Riverdale High School