Take Stock Nassau
Giving Tuesday, November 28
Supports Senior Send Off
Take Stock in Children of Nassau has big plans for supporting underserved students in Nassau County this year. Our students receive full tuition college or university scholarships, but other expenses associated with college create hardships for them. To solve this problem, all 2023 Giving Tuesday donations will go to our Senior Send Off fund to help buy laptops, dorm essentials, and cover campus fees for our Nassau County Class of 2024 graduating seniors. Take Stock students work hard to meet the requirements of this scholarship and mentoring program throughout high school; meeting weekly with mentors and attending workshops and activities that prepare them for college.

Last year, Take Stock Nassau spent $350 towards each graduate. This year, Take Stock hopes to raise $500 for each of their 31 seniors to lighten the burden of incidental costs required of college students. On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, please consider supporting this initiative with any donation you can give. The extra help to buy necessities makes a big difference in accomplishing their career goals.

Your donation stays local and supports the rigorous standards of success for TSICN
students. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that uses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage giving worldwide. Every year, Giving Tuesday has inspired millions of people to give back and support the causes they believe in. The goal is to create a wave of generosity that touches every person on the
planet and builds strong communities. Please help make it a success by clicking the "Donate" button below. Donors and supporters can follow the Take Stock in Children Facebook page for stories from our deserving students.
Take Stock Nassau Board
Welcomes New Member
Greg Shurman was recently elected as a member of the Take Stock in Children of Nassau, Inc. Board. Originally from Queens, New York, Greg and his family would spend Easter vacations in Fernandina Beach in the 1960’s. After experiencing the white sands and jumping small ocean waves, his lifetime connection to this island paradise was made. This connection was complete when his family moved to Fernandina Beach in 1977 and he graduated as a Pirate in 1980.

After graduating, he attended the University of Florida and graduated with a Political Science degree. The corporate world was his next step as a manager for The Sherwin-Williams Corporation, for which he dedicated 16 years of his life in various managerial/sales representative positions.

In 2002, Greg got the calling to leave the corporate world behind and dedicate his life to teaching. He wanted to make a difference and help students grow through his teaching and mentoring. He never looked back influencing lives in Orlando then Yulee until 2021, when he retired from teaching.

Greg was not done giving of himself to the world, he just had more time to give it. Through volunteering at Barnabas and the Public Library, mentoring at Taking Stock in Children, and being very active at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, he is much more than connected to this community. You might even find Greg occasionally at the membership desk at the local Y. If a person could embody everything that is right with our community, it would be Greg.

He is so proud of his daughter, Savanna, who dedicates her life to a Catholic non-profit in Denver, Colorado. In his spare time, Greg enjoys traveling, cycling, and hiking. He has accumulated quite a collection of rocks on his many mountainous adventures.

When asked why he volunteers so much, he simply says “I have been blessed in my life and it is satisfying to give back my time, talent and treasure in support of those in need."

Welcome to the Take Stock Board of Directors, Greg!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
FBHS junior, Zach Sawyer, takes his first flight. Zach is taking Aerospace III course and hopes to earn his pilot's license before graduating high school. He is also a gifted musician in the marching band. Zach hopes to be a pilot or aerospace engineer.
Yulee senior, Kelsey Breeland, is a varsity cheerleader and works at Lemongrass in downtown Ferandina Beach, where the owners brought her to Atlanta to learn how to purchase for the store. She hopes to pursue a degree in marketing.
WNHS junior, Nicky Cooey, is going above and beyond when it comes to school involvment. She participates in Great Decisions, FCA, Key Club, NHS, BETA, and Women of Influence. She is also Junior Class Vice-President.
Sophomore, Camauri Bolden, is a leader on the varsity football team at Hilliard. Camauri also runs the 4x1 100 meter relay and the 200 meter for the Hilliard track team.
Macie Clay, center, C/O 2019, was a recent graduate of the Aveda Institute, participating in their hair design program. Macie is shown with her mother, Barbie, on her right, and her sister Marlie, also a Take Stock alumni from C/O 2019.
Josi'ah Rauls, C/O 2022, recently completed his welding certification at Tulsa Welding School. Josi'ah is shown particpating in the graduation ceremony with his family.
Mike Van Petten and Finley Yasho
This month's student-mentor spotlight is on mentor Mike Van Petten and his mentee, Finley Yasho.
Mike Van Petten, Mentor
What do you consider to be your hometown? How long have you lived in Fernandina Beach?
My hometown is Wheaton Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. I lived there through high school. I’ve lived in Nassau county since 2017. I moved here after I retired in Tampa, Florida.

What made you decide to mentor with Take Stock?
I heard about TSIC at a dinner party from a former board member. I had been on boards in the past, but I always participated at the Board and Committee levels. I really wanted to connect at the operational level. The idea of mentoring a student was very exciting to me, and I jumped on board right away. 
 
How many students have you mentored?
Finley is the first student I've mentored.

What have you gained from mentoring Finley?
I’ve gained a wonderful friendship. I look forward to our weekly sessions. Finley is an amazing young man. I’ve enjoyed watching him grow through high school. He is artistic and loves to draw and play guitar. He is incredibly smart and hard working. He teaches me things all of the time. He has been busy this year getting ready for college, but Finley will face the challenge head on.

Finley Yasho, Yulee High School Senior
Why did you want to apply for Take Stock?
I wanted to apply for Take Stock because I was worried about navigating the time leading up to college, as well as how I was going to pay for it.

What have you learned from your relationship with your mentor, Mike?
My relationship with Mike has taught me a lot. He’s taught me to break down problems into manageable goals to tackle them. He's also shared a lot of funny and insightful stories from his life and about growing up.

What is your favorite memory from TSIC?
My favorite TSIC memory was the mini golf day at Island Falls. We played against my brother and his mentor and when we lost, Mike had to buy everyone ice cream.

What are your plans after you graduate high school and TSIC?
I know I’m going to college, but I’m still open to exploring options for career paths. I’m creative and a problem solver, so I’m looking for the type of career that will match with my lifestyle and mindset.