Take Stock in Children welcomes 27 scholars

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

The Flagler County Education Foundation welcomed 27 new scholars Thursday, May 17, to the Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program.

This is the largest group of scholarship recipients to be welcomed at one time, thanks to a special grant, which allowed 16 students in grades nine through 11 to receive a two-year scholarship, said Deborah Williams, executive director of the foundation.

An additional 11 eighth-graders received a traditional four-year scholarship from the program.

“This is unusual and most likely won’t happen again,” Williams said.

At the welcome, students and parents signed an agreement to fulfill their responsibilities while in the program. For students, that includes maintaining good grades and exemplary behavior in addition to meeting with a mentor weekly. There is still a need for three more mentors. (Call 437-7526, Ext. 3125, for details.)

“It is a commitment that you’re making tonight,” Vicki Tiehen, chair of the Take Stock in Children Leadership Team, told students at the dinner. “You need to make every effort to learn who you are, who you want to be now. Don’t wait, don’t play. Find yourself. You are going to have plenty of support through this program to get you through trials. Do not let it derail you.”

Donors who have purchased four-year scholarships for Take Stock are Bernard L. Axelrod Endowment, Belk Foundation, C. Scott Crews, Flagler County Association of Realtors, Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates, Flagler Woman’s Club, Peter and Sue Freytag, Jean and Robert Hunter, Eulalia Kalush, Leighton-Oare Foundation, Marketable Enterprises Inc., Carol Rabinovitz, Rotary Club of Flagler Beach, Rotary Club of Flagler County, Space Coast Credit Union and University Women of Flagler.