Take Stock Nassau Welcomes 39 New Scholars Take Stock Nassau welcomed 39 new scholars into the program at the end of March. The students applied to the program in the fall, and after a careful application vetting process and two interviews, the top students were offered a contract. The contract stipulates the students will maintain their grades, attend school regularly, display model behavior and meet with their mentor regularly. They agree to participate in Take Stock events like workshops and college campus tours. Their parents also sign the contract, agreeing they will support their student in these endeavors. The 39 new scholars have an average grade point average of 3.32. One-third of the students are 9th graders, and the other two-thirds are 7th and 8th graders. The new students also met their mentor at the contract signing. Students and mentors will meet until the end of the school year and restart in August. Welcome to our 35 brand new mentors and many thanks to the mentors graduating a student and returning next year with a new student. Congratulations to these outstanding students!

Callahan Middle 8th grader, Lukas Eiras (L) met his mentor, Tracey Canady (R). Lukas will be Tracey's third mentee in TSIC Nassau.

With delays in financial aid processing, students will be deciding which schools to attend by the end of April. These TSIC class of 2024 scholars are committed to.....

Class of 2025 College Preparations

TSIC class of 2025 met April 4 at Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ) Nassau Campus to begin preparing for their senior year. The workshop was mandatory for all TSIC juniors and their parent(s). College Success Coaches, Chris Danbeck and Nora Wood, gave the students and their families resources for college applications. Students created their FSA IDs to prepare for applying for financial aid and were given a summer homework list. Kevin Cotton, FSCJ's Director of Student Recruitment, gave advice on how to financially prepare for attending college. Mentors were on hand to learn how to assist their student next year.

Students broke out into two groups. The group featured above created their FSA ID to prepare for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in October 2024.

Class of 2025 students, parents and mentors hear from College Coaches, Chris Danbeck and Nora Wood about summer homework.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

WNHS Senior Ashlyn Daughtry, 7th from left in middle row, recently passed the state licensing exam to be a Certified Nursing Assistant. Way to go, Ashlyn! YHS Senior Leah Kasper, 5th from the left, recently passed the state licensing exam to be a Certified Nursing Assistant. What a rockstar!

FBHS Senior Naserian McClurg received 5 Gold Keys and a Gold Portfolio in the 2024 Northeast Florida Scholastic Art Awards. Naserian is shown next to one of her works of art at the awards ceremony at the historic Florida Theatre in Downtown Jacksonville. Her art will move on to the national competition. Awesome job, Naserian!! Congratulations to Rieley Taylor, HMSHS Senior, for her recent acceptance to the Osprey First Summer Pathway Program. The program will allow Rieley to live on campus during the summer, forging bonds and participating in activities outside of the classroom. She will receive an additional scholarship upon completion. 

FBHS Senior Joshua Modupe recently advanced to the state championship in weightlifting! Joshua placed 2nd in the Olympic Weightlifting category. Way to go, Joshua! YHS Sophomore Cloud Byrd, left, recently competed in the state finals of the Incubate Debate Tournament. He was one of 90 finalists from an original field of 5,000. He placed first in the Town Hall consolation round. Outstanding job, Cloud!

Tracey Canady and Javian Milton-Brown

This month's student-mentor spotlight is on mentor Tracey Canady and his mentee, Javian Milton-Brown. The two have been matched since May 2020.

Tracey Canady, Mentor What do you consider to be your hometown? How long have you lived in Fernandina Beach? Hilliard, Florida is my Hometown, I grew up in Hilliard. I spent time in the military, and I have been back in Nassau County for the past 20 years.  What made you decide to mentor with Take Stock? I was introduced to the Take Stock program by a coworker. I had several people that I would consider a mentor growing up, and I give them credit for helping me make good career choices early in life. Having the opportunity to be a mentor with Take Stock has given me an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life.  How many students have you mentored? Javian is my second student with Take Stock. What have you gained from mentoring Javian? Javian has taught me not to worry and anything is possible when you focus on your goals. Over the past 4 years, I have not seen Javian worry or get upset. He is a very smart young man that has been able to overcome all obstacles he has faced over the past 4 years. He has the ability to excel in whatever he focuses on. He will continue to do well in the future and become another Take Stock success story.  Javian Milton-Brown, WNHS Senior Why did you want to apply for Take Stock? I applied for Take Stock to help me throughout my college journey, so I won’t have to go through the stresses so many encounter when starting college. What have you learned from your relationship with your mentor, Tracey? He taught me to be prepared and organized or you may get off track. What is your favorite memory from TSIC? The college tour at FAMU has been my favorite memory so far.  What are your plans after you graduate high school and TSIC? I plan to begin basic college courses and find my major, maybe in the business field. I also plan on getting my real estate license in the near future.

WNHS Grad Accepted Into Nursing Program West Nassau High School 2020 graduate, Marie Messer, recently found out she was accepted into FSCJ's competitive nursing program. Marie works full time and completed her AA degree. Since joining TSIC, it has been her career goal to become a nurse and help others. In high school, she earned her CNA and worked locally in the nursing home. This fall, she will begin earning her B.S.N. from FSCJ. Congratulations, Marie!

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