| Take Stock in Children College Scholarships for | | | | a successful Orlando and Seminole County Public |
| Orlando Schools and Seminole County Public Schools | | | | School student becomes a successful adult able to |
| By Stacy Andell for | | | | give back to the Orlando and Seminole County Public |
| An Overview of the Take Stock in Children College | | | | Schools. The connection between the needs of the |
| Scholarship Program | | | | community and the needs of the student results in |
| Take Stock in Children is a statewide scholarship | | | | benefits for both. |
| program being implemented by Orlando Schools and | | | | Scholarships and Support |
| the Seminole County Public School system. The | | | | Since 1996, one hundred and seventeen students |
| program targets students with strong financial need | | | | have been awarded the Take Stock in Children |
| as well as strong motivation to succeed in college. | | | | scholarship in the Orlando and Seminole County Public |
| Beginning in eighth grade, students are invited to | | | | School area. The program has 69 high school |
| apply for the scholarships. These scholarships take | | | | students participating in Orlando and Seminole County |
| the format of two years at a community college and | | | | Public Schools. 101 students have graduated and |
| then two years at a state university or college. | | | | received their scholarships. The first student to |
| In order to be considered, both the student and the | | | | graduate from college because of the program |
| parents must sign a contract promising to follow the | | | | received a Bachelors of Science from the University |
| guidelines of Orlando Schools and Seminole County | | | | of Central Florida. |
| Public Schools. In addition, students must participate in | | | | The scholarship fund has purchased over $300,000 |
| a variety of Take Stock in Children activities | | | | worth of Florida Prepaid College Scholarships for |
| throughout their high school years. Orlando and | | | | students in the state of Florida. These scholarships |
| Seminole County Public School students must remain | | | | are waiting for the students currently participating in |
| committed to graduating with their high school class | | | | the middle and high school levels of the program. |
| and maintaining a drug and crime free student record. | | | | Orlando and Seminole County students active in the |
| The Take Stock in Children Program targets at - risk | | | | program have additional opportunities to attend |
| students in the Orlando and Seminole County Public | | | | workshops and seminars to help them prepare for |
| Schools and helps them learn the skills they need to | | | | college and build their individual skills throughout the |
| be successful in college. The motivating factor is that | | | | school year. |