Take Stock In Children graduates 7, accepts 25

LYNN HAVEN — New Take Stock In Children students learned at Thursday night’s recognition ceremony that earning scholarships is more than about getting money to pay for college. It’s a choice to commit to do your best.

The Bay Education Foundation scholarship program, which funds two years of college tuition for low-income students, held its annual senior recognition and new student contract-signing ceremony at Panama Country Club.

Take Stock staff, mentors, students and family and friends honored seven graduating seniors and 25 incoming students.

“You’re getting something you really can’t put a price on,” Foundation Vice President Leon Walters told the students. “Guys, it’s going to change your life an make you able to do whatever you dream to do.”

The annual event provides a platform for graduating seniors who have earned Take Stock scholarships to give advice to middle school students. Also, incoming students and their parents agree to meet requirements to maintain scholarship status.

With his parents and younger brother at his sides, Ivan DeLaCruz, a sixth-grade student at Mowat Middle School, seized the opportunity to join Take Stock.

“It can help me get into college. I understand my academic standards have to be good,” DeLaCruz said. “And it helps out my parents.”

His mother, Marisela Waddell, said signing the contract is one step toward the ultimate goal.

“I’m very excited and I hope he keeps being as driven as he has been,” she said. “I’m sure that he will succeed and do something good with his life.”

The program has its successes. There are 50 Take Stock scholarship recipients in college, 40 students who have completed college and one of the first recipients to enter a doctorate program.

“We aspire to help as many kids as we can,” said Beth Deluzain, executive director of Take Stock. “Bringing in 25 brings us to a current total of 113 in middle and high school.

“This is the work that everybody should be allowed to do, the greatest work that it is today,” she added. “It’s wonderful to work with the Bay Education Foundation, and everybody that has ever given us a donation has a part in seeing these kids go on to become successful.”

Stormy Robbins, an aspiring choir director who is graduating with a 4.3 weighted GPA, had what it takes.

“This program had a huge impact on me,” Robbins said. “It taught me that if you work hard, you can achieve pretty much anything. I’ve got pretty much all of my college paid for.

“And that’s amazing,” she added.