We welcomed 25 freshmen into our Take Stock program this year at eight of our Seminole County high schools. All of these scholars will be first generation college students receiving 2-year Florida Prepaid Scholarships when they graduate. Weekly meetings with mentors, skill-building workshops, and the support of a College Success Coach keeps students on track for high school success. Congratulations and welcome to Team Take Stock!

“Take Stock in Children has helped open doors for me that I maybe wouldn’t have found on my own as well as giving me an extra ‘push’ of motivation towards specific goals I have for myself. Take Stock also has helped me become a more open, optimistic person. I am very grateful for this program, and I hope it helps someone else as much as it helped me.”

Meet Trinishell - a 12th grader who enjoys photography, collects snow globes from all over the world, and reads books that are non-fiction, medically-related, or about history. The last book she read was The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot—she loved the book but not the ending. Her favorite class this year is Allied Health, which fits with her aspirations to be a cardiologist. She plans to pursue a pre-med, biology, or biological sciences degree at a Florida university or a historically black college. Ultimately, Trinishell wants to attend UCF’s medical school here at home. She also works full-time as a server, always keeping her eye on what’s next! Thanks to the support of Take Stock in Children and her mentor Lisa Dangel, Trinishell is ready to start her college journey!

“I was the first one in my family to go to college and I felt if I could help a student do the same, it would be a privilege. But I have to admit it really took some coaxing! After raising three boys, I was terrified of working with a girl! My first student was a lovely artistic young lady at Lake Mary High School. We instantly became friends, and I enjoyed having “girly” conversations and experiencing high school from a totally different perspective.” - Lisa Dangel

Lisa Dangel has always been involved in education—as a teacher and volunteer. Now in her 6th year as a mentor, Lisa convinced her husband to get involved and mentor a student three years ago. They share a desire to make a college education attainable for deserving students. One of Lisa’s fondest memories is when she realized each of her mentees looked forward to her coming to see them. Today, Lisa is a realtor and works for a brokerage in Oviedo. David is an engineer at Inwood Consulting Engineers, where he has worked for 20 years and is a part-owner. They both went to high school in Seminole County. Lisa was in the first graduating class at Lake Mary High School and David graduated from Lyman High School.

Together Lisa and David have impacted the lives of four Take Stock students— one who graduated early with dual enrollment and three who are currently in school getting good grades, playing sports, volunteering, working outside of school and enjoying extra-curricular activities. Thank you both for mentoring our deserving students and giving so much of yourselves to our next generation!

Michele's advice to current TSIC students: "Attend the workshops and ask plenty of questions. Additionally, having good communication with your mentor is invaluable because they have a lot of knowledge and experience they are willing to share. A single opportunity might be a defining moment in your future!"

Now in her sophomore year at FIU, Michele Velez is well on her way to a nursing degree. Ultimately, she plans on becoming a nurse practitioner, possibly specializing in immunology based on her own challenges with allergies. The first person in her family to go to college, she enjoys sharing things like her hands-on experiences in the microbiology lab with her parents. Michele is active on her university campus and in the community, serving as a Learning Assistant helping students with their math classes, being part of the Student Programming Council (SPC) which oversees the university’s events, participating in Honors College events, and volunteering throughout Miami as seen in her photo above.

During her senior year at Winter Springs High School, Michele was one of six TSIC students statewide awarded the Leaders for Life Fellowship . Funded by the Asofsky Family Foundation, this program pays for housing, meal plans, computers, books, supplies, and other college-related expenses in addition to offering leadership training and internship opportunities during their four years at college. Michelle continues to learn and grow as a Take Stock Leader for Life and we could not be more proud of her hard work!