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.
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 Northwest 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! 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.
Congratulations to our Newly Selected Scholars
All newly selected scholars will be matched with a mentor in the upcoming school year. Each student has signed a contract with their parent, promising to maintain a good school record, remain drug and crime free, and meet weekly with a mentor. We look forward to working together in support of these students as they work towards their future educational goals.
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/ Florida Power and Light Northwest FL Scholar
- Taniha Higgins - Pathway To Prosperity/ Florida Power and Light Northwest FL Scholar
- Jayden Holt - Pathway To Prosperity/ Florida Power and Light Northwest FL Scholar
- Nathan Jucha - Be the Magic Foundation, Inc.
- Jackai Nathaniel - Pathway To Prosperity/ Florida Power and Light Northwest FL 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 Scholarship Donors
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 Take Stock in Children program or about mentoring a scholar, please contact (850) 833-9999. To learn more about the individual TSIC Scholars, you can view the STARS Ceremony Presentation here.
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About Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation (OCSD)
The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors and is comprised of a diverse group of individuals from across the county, representing our community’s families, educators, and businesses. The purpose of the Foundation is to protect the future by supporting education and serving as a catalyst to enhance teaching and learning through community and private sector involvement. The Foundation works with community and private organizations as well as corporate donors to award Take Stock in Children scholarships to students and grants to teachers in Okaloosa County.
About Take Stock In Children (TSIC)
Take Stock in Children, Inc. is a nonprofit mentoring, college success, and college scholarship organization dedicated to transforming Florida one student at a time. Working statewide throughout Florida, our mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, underrepresented, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for degree attainment through postsecondary education. We provide wraparound services to students through an innovative multi-year model from middle school through postsecondary completion. The reward for fulfilling these commitments is a scholarship to a Florida state college, university, or vocational school.