Take Stock Nassau
SUPPORT TAKE STOCK NASSAU!
Help TSIC Nassau make a difference in the life of a student by supporting their raffle. Head over to our auction site and purchase 10 Raffle Tickets for $10! The winner will be drawn on Friday, April 12.
Light Up a Life Gala Sets New Records
Take Stock in Children of Nassau County (TSIC) set another fundraising record at our annual “Light Up a Life Gala,” held in March. The event, celebrating 27 years of serving Nassau County students, raised over $300,000 dedicated to college preparation programs and tuition scholarships.
 
A total of 340 guests, among them our Mentors of the Year, gathered for an evening of emotional and heartfelt celebration. TSIC Board Chair, Regina Lee, warmly welcomed attendees. Serving as hosts were Anthony Austin and Heather Crawford, anchors from First Coast News and former mentors of Take Stock in Children.
 
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the “2024 Difference Maker” award to former Board Chair, Bob Henderson, in recognition of his enduring leadership and mentorship within Take Stock. Live music performances by local artists, Eden and Frankie, added to the ambiance of the evening. Executive Director, Robin Lentz, provided a program update, outlining increased college retention rates and successful mentor matches. The audience was deeply moved by testimonials from current mentors and TSIC graduates.
 
Guests had the privilege of hearing from three current college students benefiting from Take Stock tuition and dormitory scholarships: Hailee Lara-Sherer from Florida State University, Michael Bolt from University of Central Florida, and Hadeia Liburd from Howard University. Each student shared the invaluable role that campus residency has played in their collegiate journey.

Marlee Clay, a TSIC alumna and recent graduate of the University of North Florida, attended the gala as a guest of Rayonier alongside her sisters, Macie and Chloe, all three of whom are TSIC graduates. Their mother, Barbara Thrift, expressed gratitude for Take Stock's role in her daughters' college success. Marlee, now employed at SE Grocers in the field of generative artificial intelligence, attributed her confidence and degree completion to Take Stock’s support.
 
The gala concluded with a call to action from First Coast News anchors, Austin and Crawford, urging generous supporters to contribute to the scholarship fund for Take Stock students. Numerous donors pledged between $10,000 and $50,000 to fund full tuition and dormitory scholarships. The evening wrapped up with a silent auction featuring unique experiences and items donated by local businesses, supporting the lasting impact of the Take Stock Nassau program on students' college aspirations.
 
The Take Stock Nassau board and staff extend deep appreciation to the community for their charitable support. Special thanks are also extended to sponsors and volunteers, including committee members: Shelley Hirshberg, Lisa West, Scott Berglund, Laurie Moore, Nancy Eberle, Bob Eberle, Jacque Banks, and the dedicated staff at the Ritz-Carlton for their invaluable contributions to the event’s success.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to Jonah Blutcher for his recent performance in Yulee High School's production of "Mean Girls, Jr: The Musical."
WNHS Senior Javian Milton-Brown participating in the Triple Jump as part of track.
FBHS Junior Ezekiel Binette practices his cooking skills while at the Culinary booth during the Career & Technical Education Fair. Students talked about courses in CTE to the current 8th graders at FBMS.
Congratulations to the Hilliard boys' basketball team for making it to the Class 1A State Championship finals! TSIC Nassau students DJ Alderman, Justin Bennett, and Ethan Garland are all players.

TSIC to Welcome 38 New Students
Take Stock Nassau is excited to welcome 38 new students to the program at the end of the month. These students and their parents began the application process in August. The students were interviewed on their campus by the College Success Coach and their application was reviewed for completeness. The staff worked to verify the students have a financial need. In Janaury, a panel of 15 volunteers read 77 applications and scored each on a rubric. The top-scoring 49 students were invited to a formal interview with the volunteer panel. The student and their parent/guardian completed the interviews in February. On March 1, letters were sent to the 38 students accepted. The students and their parents will sign the contracts and officially begin with Take Stock March 27-28.
Lynda Smith and Carrington Smith
This month's student-mentor spotlight is on mentor Lynda Smith and her mentee, Carrington Smith. The two have been matched since May 2020.
Lynda Smith, Mentor
What do you consider to be your hometown? How long have you lived in Fernandina Beach?
I consider Callahan my hometown. I was born and raised there, married a hometown boy and raised our 4 children there. Eight years ago, after the passing of my husband, I moved to Yulee. I have fully enjoyed my time here, the new friends I’ve made and the local church I serve in. I am truly blessed.

What made you decide to mentor with Take Stock?
After retiring from teaching, I still felt the need to be involved with students. Take Stock filled that need. It has been a blessing to speak into students’ lives, helping to guide them into their future endeavors. 

How many students have you mentored?
I have mentored at least 6 students, including my senior and sophomore who I’m currently mentoring. 

What have you gained from mentoring Carrington?
Carrington is a source of information when it comes to animals. During our first year together I learned all about chickens. The next year we moved onto spiders. (Not my thing, but she loved it). Now she’s moved on to horses. She enjoyed working at a horse farm so much that she purchased her own. This “pet” is dictating her college choice. She plans to stay home to take care of this animal and take her courses online. Oh, and she has taught me a great deal about Prince. We laugh at how different we are and yet how well we mesh. It has been a real pleasure mentoring Carrington. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her. 

Carrington Smith, HMSHS Senior
Why did you want to apply for Take Stock?
I wanted to be able to go to college without my parents having to worry as much about the cost. Take Stock provided that opportunity.

What have you learned from your relationship with your mentor, Lynda?
She has taught me a lot of things, but how to improve my time management skills is probably one of the most important.

What is your favorite memory from TSIC?
My favorite memory from Take Stock is the mentor breakfast. I enjoyed talking to Lynda over breakfast.

What are your plans after you graduate high school and TSIC?
I plan to go to Santa Fe and obtain my associates in arts degree. Then, I would like to transfer to UF and go to school to be a large animal vet.
MENTORS MENTORING EACH OTHER
It was a full house on a rainy Saturday morning as mentors showed up to share best practices. The event was just one of several learning opportunities offered this year for mentors. There was no shortage of mentors willing to share and definitely no shortage of fabulous ideas. Mentors were able to support each other, answer questions, and maybe even get a bit teary eyed at times. It was a great morning of learning and inspiring!