May 2019
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Take Stock in Children the Beneficiary of the Mayoral Inaugural Ball
 


(Photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)


The 2019 Mayoral Inaugural Ball raised $200,000 for Take Stock in Children scholarships thanks to the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Economic Club of Tampa, and many other generous donors. We are thrilled that this will provide 40 at-risk, deserving students with a Take Stock in Children scholarship!

Several TSIC students had the opportunity to attend the Mayoral Ball to represent Take Stock in Children. During the event, students met with several players from the Tampa Bay Bucs. We are so grateful for the support of generous donors and look forward to making an even bigger impact in our community!



  

End of Year Reminders for Mentors

  • Remember that our goal is to get every student to at least 15 mentoring sessions before the end of the school year - please schedule your sessions accordingly. If you aren't sure where you stand or are experiencing issues meeting with your mentee, please reach out to your assigned College Success Coach as soon as possible (contact info below). We are here to help!
  • There will be a lot of testing going on throughout Hillsborough County during the final weeks of school. Please check with your mentee to determine when they are available to meet. Please be patience with school staff as they are feeling the pressure as well!
2019 Mentor of the Year
Cheryl Bunting


Q: How did you become involved with mentoring through the Hillsborough Education Foundation? 
A: 
In 2006, the Assistant Superintendent of Federal Programs asked anyone who was interested in mentoring to attend the training in our conference room. She felt this was a great program and wished we would all give it a try!   I immediately signed-up to participate and have loved every minute of it! I later asked the assistant superintendent if this could be my full-time job...mentoring young ladies throughout the district...she laughed and responded..."if I let you do that you would go broke"! She was so supportive of me in all my mentoring endeavors and made sure I was able to attend all the functions my mentee participated in within the School District of Hillsborough County.



Q: What has been the most rewarding part of mentoring?
A: 
The most rewarding experience of mentoring is watching my mentee grow and become an expert in her field of study! It is amazing all the talents they possess and how they discover that through this program. They love that someone cares as much about their future as they do! I continue to remain in touch with my mentees even after graduation. My first mentee, who is now 25, text me the other day saying she loved me from day one of meeting me, because she knew I only wanted what was best for her and she wouldn't know where she would be today if it wasn't for this program. It doesn't get any better than that!!!



Q: What do you believe is the key to being a quality mentor?
A: 
The key to being a quality mentor is to first build a strong relationship with your mentee. Develop strong listening skills and let the mentee know you genuinely care about them and their future. Letting them know you are available to them through texting or a simple phone call after your weekly meeting gives them reassurance you are there if they have a question or concern.   Most of all, let them know you believe in them! Be their biggest cheerleader!

 

Q: When you are not working with students, how do you prefer to spend your free time?
A: 
When not working with my mentee, I enjoy spending time with my family and my five granddaughters! Yes...I have 7 girls...2 daughters and 5 granddaughters. They have given me a lot of experience!!! I also enjoy all outdoor activities, spending time at the beach, reading, watching movies, and doing crafts.



Q: What do you hope your mentee will learn from you?
A: 
I hope my mentee learns from me that she can be anything she wants! She already possesses the talent, knowledge, and tenacity it takes to succeed! I want her to find her passion in life and follow that path...it will definitely lead her to success! To my mentee..."Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger that you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know"...A.A. Milne.

 
Cheryl Bunting with HEF President Kim Jowell


Mentor Appreciation Party - What a blast!


HEF President Kim Jowell with our 2019 Mentor of the Year Finalists, Mentor of the Year, and TSIC Program Manager Anna Laird

We had such a great time celebrating our amazing mentors at our annual Mentor Appreciation Party on April 25th at Citi Bank. Thank you to the 300+ mentors, students, and family members who attended! We love being able to bring our mentors and students together for this amazing event each year. Of course, we'd like to thank our friends at Citi Bank for hosting this event and providing the delicious food. 

 
 
 

 See more pictures on our Facebook page - Click Here




SixUp is offering two kinds of scholarships that are a great fit for Take Stock students:
 
For High School and College Students: 
SixUp $5000 "We've Got Your Back" Scholarship
To apply and view rules,  Click Here.
 
There are four (4) separate SixUp $5,000 "No Essay" Scholarship entry periods:
·  March 21, 2019 at 12:00 AM PDT and ends on May 15, 2019 at 11:59 PM PDT 
 
·  May 16, 2019 at 12:00 AM PDT and ends on July 15, 2019 at 11:59 PM PDT 
 
·  July 16, 2019 at 12:00 AM PDT and ends on September 15, 2019 at 11:59 PM 
 
·  September 16, 2019 at 12:00 AM PDT and ends on December 15, 2019 at 11:59
 
 
For College Students: 
SixUp $1500 Finish On Time Scholarship
To apply and view rules,  Click Here. 
 
Deadline to apply for the $1,500 scholarships is July 1, 2019 at 11:59 PM PDT

 
The College Success Team
(Click each name to email)
    
      Anna Laird                Wildens Cajuste
      

                                       
                                  Melanie Jimenez              Joe Addison
                  
                          
 
Mark Your Calendar!

May 27th
Memorial Day 
(No School)

All Students

May 31st 
Last Day of School
All Students
June 4th

Senior Exit Workshop
Only Graduating Seniors
- UT Campus, 6PM

June 11th 
Metropolitan Ministries Volunteer Event

All Students & Mentors
June 17th 
Teaching Tools Store Volunteer Event
All Students & Mentors
July 11th 
Port of Tampa - Educational Harbor Tour
All Students & Mentors

For more information, contact Anna Laird via  email.

If you know someone who is interested in mentoring, 
have them visit our website for more information: 
Click Here to Learn How to Become a Mentor!


 
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