April 2022
As one of the largest mentoring programs in Tampa Bay, last year we served 370 students in Hillsborough County Public Schools, pairing them with a volunteer mentor.
 
Together, our mentors dedicated time to 5,941 mentoring sessions during the 2020-2021 school year.

Thank you for giving your time to advocate for and support our students!
Benefits of Community Service
Celebrate National Volunteer Month by encouraging your mentee to engage in community service. Review some of the benefits of volunteering below:
Volunteering Helps Students Connect to the Community 

Giving back and assisting others is the basis of volunteering. Thus, it teaches us how significant it is to help those in need. The importance of community service lies in the fact that it connects us to the community by improving it, and making it a better place for all of us to live in.
Volunteering Helps Students Earn Scholarships

Some scholarships require students to earn a certain number of community service hours to be considered for financial aid. An example is Florida's Bright Futures Scholarships.
Volunteering Helps Students Improve Their Skills

Participating in community service helps students gain experience and skills important for a workplace, such as communication and organizational skills, teamwork, planning, problem-solving and task management.

Encourage your mentee to volunteer for an organization that aligns with their career goals.
Mentor of the Month
Kent McBride
How did you become involved with mentoring through Hillsborough Education Foundation? 
I was at a social function in Sun City Center (SCC) with some close friends when I first heard about Mentoring through HEF. Joanne, a TSIC mentor, and one of the most active people I know in SCC was also in attendance. Joanne is involved and seeks leadership roles in her HOA, Temple, or other service organizations. I asked her what she was involved in lately, and she said she was volunteering in the most rewarding project she had ever been a part of, Mentoring! She explained what it involved and why she loves doing it. I asked for the information and called the next day!

What has been the most rewarding part of mentoring?
I would have to say the feeling that I am helping a bright student with some answers, suggestions or personal experiences that I have had in my life, is the most rewarding part of mentoring. If I can help make his life more productive, keep him from the pitfalls ahead, and introduce him to the fun in education and the careers that can lie ahead for him, I feel rewarded and fulfilled.

What do you believe is the key to being a quality mentor?
I would definitely say ACTIVE LISTENING. Using the resources in the Mentoring Toolkit and other study guides allowed me to get to know my mentee from all different angles. I have become invested in what he is doing at school and where he wants to go with his education. He shared some issues that he was facing and asked for my thoughts on how he should approach them. More importantly, he talked about his dreams and the fears that lie ahead for him. I believe he thinks of me as an ally or confidant who is on his side.
When you are not working with students, how do you prefer to spend your free time? 
Since I have been retired to Sun City Center I have taken up painting as my hobby! I work mostly in Pastels but also like graphic sketching. I am told that I am pretty good at this hobby, so I happily continue my education in the arts. I guess I specialize in portraits if I were to pick a favorite.

What do you hope your mentee will learn from you?
I hope that he has picked up on my active listening lessons so he can become a great conversationalist and learn what others have to offer all of us! But most of all I would hope that he keeps his large curiosity and interest in helping others!
Call to Mentors
TSIC offers virtual group mentoring sessions to students on ZOOM 3-4 times a month. Each session features a different presenter and covers a different topic designed to help students gain skills, learn more about college, learn about various careers, and more!
 
We are currently in need of presenters for the month of May. If you are interested in presenting to students about a specific topic, please let your College Success Coach know so we can set something up!

In the past, mentors have presented on topics like: building resumes, public speaking, studying abroad, mental health & wellness, and more! Presentation take place between 5:30PM & 6:00PM and last between 30 minutes to an hour.
Take Stock In Children Program
We are now accepting applications from current 7th & 8th grade students to enter our program this fall.
Who is Eligible?

Take Stock in Children Scholarships are only available to students who meet standard criteria set by Florida’s Take Stock in Children Program. To apply for the program, students:

  • Must be in 7th or 8th grade
  • Must be enrolled in a Hillsborough County Public School
  • Must financially qualify
  • Must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5
How to Apply?

Students who meet these requirements may apply online during open application periods. Students will need to:

  • Complete an online application that will include essay questions
  • Submit a copy of a tax return 1040 Form (to help verify financial need) and a copy of your Social Security card (for proof of citizenship or legal residency status) with your application
  • Participate in an interview, if you’re selected to move forward in the process
Congress Increases Pell Grant Financial Aid for College Students
 
Congress increased both the maximum and minimum Pell Grant award in its omnibus spending bill.
 
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed a spending bill last week that includes a $400 increase in the maximum Pell Grant. This boosts the maximum aid per student for the 2022-2023 academic year from $6,495 to $6,895, a 6.2% increase. Congress' increase also brings the minimum award from $650 to $690.

To read more, click here.
 
Source: BestColleges.com
THE TAKE STOCK TEAM
Click the name of your assigned College Success Coach to email them.
Director of TSIC
(813) 574-0271
Mentor Coordinator
(813) 574-0272
College Success Coach
(813) 574-0264
College Success Coach
(813) 574-0269
College Success Coach
(813) 574-0267
Mark Your Calendar
DATE
EVENT
AUDIENCE
April 15th
Non-Student Day
HCPS Students
May 27th
Last day of school
End of the 4th Quarter
HCPS Students
For more detailed information about the events occurring in Hillsborough County Public Schools, click the link below:
TSIC Mentor &
Student Resource Portal

To access grade-specific road maps, virtual mentoring ideas, mentor toolkits, information on colleges & careers, and more resources click the buttons below!