PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 8, 2006

42 Students Being Inducted Into TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN

During the next two weeks, 42 seventh-grade students are signing their scholarship contracts with TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN offering them Scholarships, Mentors, and Hope. They will be matched with their mentors at ceremonies being held at schools across the Keys. All supporters of Take Stock are welcome to attend:

November 9th Horace O'Bryant Middle School 12:30 p.m.

November 14th Plantation Key School 11:30 a.m.

November 14th Key Largo School 2:00 p.m.

November 15th Sugarloaf School 11:00 a.m.

November 15th Marathon Middle School 1:30 p.m.

These 42 handpicked students are being given the “chance of a lifetime” to further develop their skills and graduate from college. All students with the desire, motivation, and potential to go to college and come from low-income families in Monroe County, are awarded this scholarship opportunity.

TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN is celebrating its eighth year in Monroe County. Beginning in seventh grade, students sign a contract agreeing to keep their grades at the A, B, or C levels throughout high school, obey the code of student conduct, stay crime and drug free, and meet with their mentor once each week.

In return, TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN and the Monroe County Education Foundation promise to pay all tuition and student fees for a 4-year college education. Students can attend any of Florida’s 28 community colleges for two years, followed by two more years at any of Florida’s 11 state universities. They finish the program as proud university graduates with a Bachelor’s diploma.

Currently, Monroe County has 138 students already in college. After next week, a new record total of 394 scholarship contracts will have been awarded in our county since TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN started.

Each week our students meet with a mentor on school property and during school hours. Mentors offer their mentee's guidance, encouragement and support. The mentor component of this program helps students develop their own problem-solving skills and personal values that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Mentors continue to be needed since no scholarships can be awarded unless the student can be matched with an enthusiastic volunteer mentor.

To get involved as a mentor or donor, or for more information, contact Jim Hall, Program Coordinator at 305-293-1546.

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