![Santa Rosa County Take Stock in Children Scholarship winners are pictured. On top left and right are Cayden Kee and Colin Adams. Kneeling is Logan Green. From left are Jeffrey Stewart, Jonathon Muckler, Da'Ishah Collie, Jayden Watkins-Davis, Curtis Watson, Trysten Connell, Tamaira Plant and Kaitlyn DeJaynes. [Tina Lovett Photography]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-50383a25-8328-1355-e053-0100007f283b-7e29a162.jpeg)
PENSACOLA BEACH — Take Stock in Children and the Santa Rosa Education Foundation has awarded $154,000 in four-year tuition scholarships to 11 graduating seniors. Local students raised money to give each senior an Apple Laptop at an $850 value, and a North Face backpack worth $200.
Along with senior recognitions, 30 students signed contracts with their parent or guardian beginning their journey in the program. These students agreed to remain drug and crime free, maintain a C or better in their classes, and meet with a mentor once a week at school.
In 1995, Take Stock in Children became a non-profit organization in Florida providing an opportunity for deserving low-income students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. A public-private partnership model funds scholarships through donations that the Florida Prepaid College Foundation matches.
Santa Rosa County has 125 students between sixth and 12th grade in the program and over 100 students in college. The organization expressed thanks to event sponsors Julian and Kim MacQueen of Innisfree Hotels, the Wells Fargo Foundation, Jo-Ann and Michael Price of the Price Family Private Foundation, and Wes Dannreuther of Intracoastal Outfitters.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa Take Stock in Children awards 11 scholarships