![Santa Rosa County Take Stock in Children graduates [Photo courtesy of Tina Lovett Photography]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-6de69da4-8eb9-2c14-e053-0100007f7cbf-039a452c-scaled.jpeg)
Take Stock in Children and the Santa Rosa Education Foundation awarded over $350,000 in scholarships to 25 graduating seniors May 30 who received four-year tuition scholarships. The event was held at the Hilton Pensacola Beach. Local area students raised money to give each senior an Apple Laptop valued at $750 and a North Face Backpack valued at $125.
Santa Rosa Take Stock in Children raised over $200,000 locally, which was matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, enabling them to welcome 32 new students who signed contracts with their parent or guardian beginning their journey in the program. These students have agreed to remain drug/crime free, maintain a "C" or better in their classes, and meet with a mentor once a week at school.
Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides an opportunity for deserving low-income students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Scholarships are funded through a public-private fundraising model in which local scholarship donations are matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation when the scholarships are purchased.
Santa Rosa County has 132 students between sixth and twelfth grade in the program and over 100 students in college. Special thanks to the following event sponsors: Julian and Kim MacQueen, Innisfree Hotels, Wells Fargo Foundation, Jo-Ann and Michael Price, Price Family Private Foundation, and Wes Dannreuther, Intracoastal Outfitters.
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa Take Stock in Children awards scholarships to 25 graduating seniors