PÕ¾ÊÓƵ

Take Stock in Children Celebrates 106 Students at Annual Awards Ceremony

June 3, 2025 PÕ¾ÊÓƵ

Fort Pierce, FL (June 3, 2025) - The PÕ¾ÊÓƵ Foundation's Take Stock in Children program celebrated another milestone at its Annual Awards Ceremony on April 29th, honoring 106 students from Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and Saint Lucie counties who are breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

The ceremony recognized 59 new 9th grade scholarship recipients who signed contracts committing to maintain good grades, stay out of trouble, avoid drugs and alcohol, and graduate from high school. Students who meet these challenges will receive a four-year tuition scholarship to attend PÕ¾ÊÓƵ for two years, followed by two additional years at either PÕ¾ÊÓƵ or another Florida public college or university.

The program also celebrated 47 graduating seniors from the Class of 2025 who successfully met all program requirements and will be attending college this fall, representing the culmination of years of dedication and support.

"These students exemplify the transformative power of education combined with community support," said Dr. Timothy Moore, President of PÕ¾ÊÓƵ. "Watching these young people achieve their college dreams reinforces our commitment to providing pathways to success for all students in our region." 

Since 1997, over 1,100 Take Stock in Children scholarships have been awarded through the PÕ¾ÊÓƵ Foundation, fundamentally changing lives across the Treasure Coast. The comprehensive program provides not only financial support but also volunteer mentors, student advocates, early intervention services, and long-term guidance. 

"Take Stock in Children represents hope in action," said Annabel Robertson, Executive Director of the PÕ¾ÊÓƵ Foundation. "Every scholarship recipient becomes a beacon of possibility for their families and communities, proving that with the right support system, any student can achieve their dreams regardless of their background." 

The program's success stems from partnerships with local school districts, the Florida Prepaid Foundation, and countless businesses and individuals who believe in investing in young people's futures. Donor contributions are matched dollar-for-dollar by the Florida Prepaid Foundation, doubling the impact of every gift.  

"Seeing these students walk across the stage is incredibly rewarding," said Karen Aldana, Take Stock in Children Program Coordinator. "Each one represents a family whose trajectory has been forever changed. These aren't just scholarship recipients – they're future leaders who will give back to their communities and inspire the next generation."  

The program specifically targets at-risk, low-income children, providing them with the tools and support necessary to succeed academically and personally. High standards, parental involvement, and community support are crucial elements that have led to the program's remarkable success rate. 

How to Support Take Stock in Children: 

• Donate: Visit to support scholarships and transform lives 

• Mentor: Volunteer a few hours monthly to guide and inspire students 

• Spread the Word: Help identify deserving students who could benefit from the program  

2025 New 9th Grade Recipients: Shai Abueqab, Camila Acuna, Bacilia Aguillon, Javier Aguirre, Luz Arellano-Chavez, Jacob Armand, Genesis Arzate, Lynette Ateno-Estrada, Kirsti Augustin, Christopher Borjas, Euriel Bucio, Emily Campos Mendoza, Alexis Carlos Maldonado, Jahayla Carthon, Jo-Anthony Castellon, Victoria Cuicas Patino, Zoey Cummings, Laila Dady, Daniela Duran Cruz, Jair Garcia, Emmanuel Garcia Quezada, Yaddiely Gomez Cardoso, Lianna Herrera Torres, Marques Hewitt, Kazi Islam, Aaliyah Jacovino, Jeffrey Jasnowitz, Neveah Jones, Mateo Juan, Chanel Langford, Anabelle Macias, Serenity Marsh, Emerson Megibow, Sophia Mendoza, Adrian Montalvo, Jakaria Moore, Kevin Nicolas Esteban, Alessia Nuno, Cristal Ortiz, Isabella Osorio, Alison Ovalle, Aliyah Pascual, Jaiden Porter, Melanie Ramos, John Reis, Kamiyah Ridley, Jaelynn Rodriguez, Ailani Sanchez, Jatziri Sanchez, Francisco Santibanez, Natalie Scott, Brittany Stil, Ricky Sylvander, Maria Torres-Martinez, Brianna Urbina, Valery Velazquez Jimenez, Camry Vuich, Carson Vuich, and Geovany Zelaya. 

2025 Graduating Seniors: C. Ollie Adriance, Kimberly Aguirre, Esther Applyrs, Angeli Atayde, Annaliese Balbona, Tyrina Bathelemy, Bradly Bragg, Makayla Briggs, Raul Bustos, Dante Cabrera, Lenore Carter, Dariusha Cesar, Salma Chankasingh, Joseph Coles III, Julia Davis, Reese DePeri, Jason Durand, Malia Garces, Misael Hernandez, Patrick Lawson, Mercedes Locke, Abigail Mata, Julia Medrano, Rebecca Mendez-Solis, Nicolas Montealegre, Aylin Moreno, Alora Morris, Isabella Mungaray, Evaneike Palmer, Joshua Perez, Anamaria Ramirez, Jayda Rochelle, Vito Roddenberry, Lumarah Romelus, Lilliana Runion, Alejandra Salazar Rendon, Edgar Santiago Pedro, Brianna Serrano, Tyrese Thomany, Zabriya Thomas, Esau Toledo Garcia, Kaylee Varnell, Adolfo Villegas, Mateo Villegas, Jorge Villegas-Godinez, Jaylin Wells, and Nicholas Woodhouse. 

To learn more, visit the PÕ¾ÊÓƵ website or call the PÕ¾ÊÓƵ Foundation at 772-462-4786. 

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About PÕ¾ÊÓƵ: PÕ¾ÊÓƵ, serving Florida's Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to 23,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The River provides more than 130 programs leading to bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas.  For more information, visit irsc.edu.  

About PÕ¾ÊÓƵ Foundation: The provides critical funding to ensure program success and student achievement at Indian River State College. The Foundation supports initiatives such as the Promise Program that make higher education accessible to all eligible students in the region.