First in Family to Attend College – Cierra and her mentor, Judy Jensen
Cierra, a junior at Plant City High School, will be the first in her family to attend college. Her hopes of pursuing a career in sports medicine are now coming to light thanks to a four-year Florida Prepaid Scholarship from the Garcia Family Foundation and her mentor. Cierra said that without her mentor, Judy Jensen, she would probably not excel in her studies as much as she is now with her help. Cierra receives mental support as well tutoring during the times that they meet.
“I know my mom is a single parent so I know she couldn’t afford to send me to college,” Cierra said. “For me to go is like a big deal.”
Cierra’s mother was her complete support system until Judy came along. Now she has someone else that she can talk to about school and personal situations. With two Advanced Placement classes, four Honors classes and being editor in chief of the yearbook, Cierra has had to balance many things at one time.
“My mentor has given me a lot of advice on how to handle my personal life and school work, Cierra said. “She really helped me figure out how to maintain and balance, so I think if I didn’t have a mentor I would probably have lower grades.”
Once a week the two meet for about an hour. Judy had previously taught high school biology in Indiana, so she can tutor in Cierra in AP biology. From labs to homework assignments Judy gives her the proper tools to help her succeed. Judy is very familiar with the books Cierra uses in class, having worked for Glencoe and Pearson, publishers of science textbooks.
Sherrie Mueller, guidance counselor at Plant City High, asked Judy to be a mentor. Judy has a child attending Plant City and got involved. She put together a newsletter for Sherrie and also served on the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). Judy agreed to be a mentor not knowing what to expect. A self-employed cancer survivor, she works with the American Cancer Survivor’s Road to Recovery program, and participates in the local ladies tennis league in addition to mentoring.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to be a mentor,” Judy said. “A lot of it is really just about sharing yourself with this other person and taking advantage of having that other person share themselves with you.”
Linda
Take Stock in Children Mentor
My name is Linda Beckman and this is my fourth year as a mentor in the Take Stock in children program. My mentee, Michelle, attends Middleton High School and we have been together since the beginning of her sophomore year and she will graduate this year.
My first mentee was a sweet, chatty young woman who attended Hillsborough High school in the IB program. I tried all year to persuade her that although the IB curriculum was rigorous, she was equal to the task and tried to elaborate on the opportunities that a combination of an IB diploma and a pre-paid college education through the Take Stock could provide. However, at the end of the first year, she decided to transfer into a traditional program at another high school. Unfortunately, her new school was too far from my office to allow me to continue with the weekly meetings which are the cornerstone of the Take Stock in Children program.
Still wanting to continue with mentoring, I requested a student in one of the local high schools close to my office. I was matched to Michelle at Middleton. I was excited to learn that Michelle was a sophomore, as was my own son. I would be able to understand her curriculum and what she might be experiencing socially and emotionally. I felt I had much to offer Michelle and couldn’t wait until our first meeting. That first Tuesday morning, I was introduced to a very polite but reserved young lady. She answered all my questions with “Yes , Ma’am” or “No, Ma’am,” and never asked a question.
After a couple more meetings like this, I decided I needed to do something to get her to open up to me. I asked her if she liked to color. She said, or course, “Yes, Ma’am.” So the next week, I showed up with two boxes of 64 crayon crayolas and coloring books. We just colored and I asked my usual questions without looking at her and she elaborated just a teensy amount with her answers.
The next week I brought the books and the crayons again and she actually told me she didn’t want to color. Wow, I thought, we’re making progress! She’s asserting herself a little. From there, things slowly got easier. Michelle told me of a teacher in whose class she was not doing well. She was frustrated because when she would ask a question, the teacher, who was hard of hearing, would give her an answer unrelated to the question. I said, “Michelle, you told me she was hard of hearing right?”
“Yes, Ma’am” Well if she’s not understanding your questions, write her a note!” That worked for her and I think I earned me a little credibility. I had helped to solve a problem for her. A few weeks later, a beloved teacher died unexpectedly and Michelle shared her feelings of grief with me. We were really making headway, one step at a time.
I helped Michelle to realize that she was responsible for getting the education she needed and deserved and that if she wasn’t getting what she needed, who to contact and how to ask to get optimal results. Soon, she was making appointments with Guidance Counselers and I have to think they admired her persistence and dedication to her education. I hope they realize what a very special person she is and that they can be proud of having a large hand in shaping the adult she will become.
In the past three years, we’ve taken on issues relating to school, home, using her resources, boys, and now the SAT and college options and the one thing that has impressed me most, is that Michelle has an unwavering vision for her future and has always been able to stay away from what she calls “foolishness” of other people. Her parents have done an exemplary job of raising a young woman who is kind, honest, and consistently keeps her eyes on the prize.
There are many who have said to me that Michelle is lucky to be in a program like Take Stock in Children which provided a mentor and a college education, and that is certainly true, but I will tell you that I am the more lucky one, for having met this remarkable young woman. She has enriched my life.
Turning a Small Dream into a Big One — Joanne Salem and her mentee, Jasmine
Jasmine credits her mentor, Joanne Salem, with opening her eyes to different things and for her to dream big. Joanne has mentored Jasmine for four years.
“My priorities have changed,” the Spoto High School senior said. “She helped me figure out what I want to do in life.”
Jasmine is about to embark on her first year of college at St. Leo University on a 2+2 Florida Prepaid Scholarship. Her goal is to become a dental surgeon. She originally wanted to become a dental hygienist, but Joanne encouraged her to dream big. Jasmine has not always had such aspirations. When Jasmine first started meeting with her mentor, “she didn’t have a dream,” Joanne said. After losing her father in a vehicle accident, Jasmine has been through a lot, according to her guidance counselor, Alicia Owens. After hearing Jasmine’s experience and seeing her progress, she now is considering becoming a mentor herself.
Jasmine said she struggled with a math class and needed it for graduation. Throughout this ordeal, Joanne was right there to get her through this situation. Joanne said that Jasmine kept putting off the class.
“I nagged her for two years until we got this thing made,” Joanne said, “I called her mother, and I was not going to let that keep her back.”
Another time Joanne encouraged Jasmine to volunteer at MOSI. She figured working at MOSI as a concierge would teach Jasmine how to communicate with other people. Jasmine would barely utter a few words and had short responses to her questions.
“That was the big break for me,” Jasmine said. “I became a more social person.”
Jasmine said she is glad to have had a mentor. In fact, Joanne is now on Jasmine’s list of people she admires. “I actually asked myself what I would need a mentor for,” said Jasmine. “Now I think, ‘what would I have done without this?’”
Joanne, a retired school teacher, has enjoyed watching Jasmine grow. She encourages her friends to become mentors. "It's a thrill every time you see that happen," she said.
Click here to learn more about the Foundation's Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program. If you would like to help a student stay on the path towards success, click here.
On the Path to Success – Jose Perez and Dr. Edward Farrior
Jose Perez is on the path to achieve his parents’ dream – attending college. He will be the first member of his family to further his education thanks to a Florida Prepaid Scholarship and the help of his mentor, Dr. Edward Farrior.
Jose, a sophomore at Durant High School, is in the top 5 percent of his class, an impressive feat considering he spends about 20 hours a week outside of school picking fruit in the fields with his parents. Jose has grown up attending school in both Georgia and Florida, depending on the fruit harvest. His parents, migrant workers from Mexico, came to the United States to give their kids the chance to further their education. Thanks to the mentoring and scholarship, Jose plans to study psychology and literature in college and later work for the FBI.
Dr. Farrior knows the value of mentoring. Growing up in Tampa in a family of doctors, his father was his mentor, ultimately influencing him to pursue a career in medicine. He enjoys helping a young person see the potential of what is in the world today.
The Foundation’s scholarship and mentoring program encourages values and keeps students on track in school by building confidence and making sure they stay drug and alcohol-free. The Garcia Family Foundation funded Jose’s scholarship. Martin Garcia, one of the foundation’s trustees, said Jose is one of many students possessing a strong work ethic and talent. The scholarship and mentoring will open doors for students like Jose to attend college and pursue any career.
Garcia believes Jose “could become a doctor, a lawyer, but my prediction is that his work experience with his parents will lead him to become an entrepreneur. I firmly believe it is our responsibility as members of this community to make sure that Jose and other students similarly situated experience the American dream of opportunity that this great country offers to our citizens.”
Both Jose and Dr. Farrior have benefited from their relationship. Jose is early in his mentee process and learns more every day from Dr. Farrior. “It’s a great experience,” he said. “You learn more about that connection that you never would have normally had in your life.”
Dr. Farrior treasures the time spent with Jose so far and realizes that there is a huge reward for such a relatively small commitment. "It's fun and good to get to know young people and see what they're thinking and find out what is going on," he said. "You can learn a lot from them."
Karen
Take Stock in Children Mentor
Karen has been a volunteer all her life. The many hats she's worn over the years include Emergency Room candy-striper, court-appointed child advocate, elementary school tutor, and, finally, Take Stock in Children mentor. While each experience was rewarding in its own right, it is her role as mentor to Christine, a Steinbrenner High School sophomore, that stands out. "This has, without a doubt, been one of the best experiences of my life, volunteering or otherwise," Karen states.
Karen's relationship with Christine, however, was not always smooth sailing. They began meeting in February of 2008, when Christine was in 7th grade. Their initial meetings were very quiet, and mentor and mentee would often simply sit together in silence. A child may be afraid to give trust, and it takes time for a mentor to demonstrate that she is committed. In addition, there were occasions when Christine would not show up for her weekly meeting. Karen had to travel far for these appointments, and was understandably frustrated.
But Karen refused to let Christine down. "I didn't push her, and tried to think of activities that would be fun besides just talking," Karen says. Card games and long walks around campus helped break the ice and earn Christine's trust. The pair also decided on a new meeting schedule that was more flexible, given that they each had many other commitments. "I remembered to look at the bigger picture," she explains, "and tried to teach her about being responsible" and respectful of a friend's time.
Karen's perseverance paid off. "Gradually," she says, "as Christine saw that I was showing up every week and genuinely seemed to care about what was going on in her life, she really started opening up." Soon enough, Christine was introducing Karen to her friends with pride, and giving her tours of her classrooms, cafeteria and locker. When Christine entered high school, Karen stuck with her through the transition. "Last year," Karen says with pride, "Christine did not miss one single meeting without letting me know first."
These days, when Karen and Christine meet, they spend the hour simply talking. They have developed a very close bond, and often share photos and scrapbooks of family members and friends. Occasionally, Karen surprises Christine with homemade goodies she baked or a treat she picked up while traveling. "The session ends too quickly," she complains, "with so much more yet to talk about."
Karen is especially grateful for her mentoring experience because of the many things Christine has taught her. Like most people, Karen approached Take Stock with the idea that her mentee would be the "student." Christine showed her that that mentoring is a two-way street: "I have learned so much about middle school and high school...that will help me guide my own son, who is five years younger than Christine."
Karen says she feels lucky to know such a hard-working and inspiring young woman. "I don't know where she finds the time to do all of the things she does to be so successful in her life," Karen says. Christine is not only a very dedicated student, but a standout softball player. She is fiercely committed to her teammates, friends and family-and her dog, Sparky. "She's the best," Karen says, "and I love her like a daughter."
Ali
Florida Prepaid Scholarships
Ali is a bright Middleton High student whose dedication to her education led her to apply for a Florida Prepaid Scholarship during the 2009-2010 school year. She dreams of going to Notre Dame or entering the University of South Florida's Engineering program after graduation, both of which are possible with the help of her scholarship. "It's the foundation for what I'm going to build my education on," she says, "I have something solid I know will be there for me if I keep my grades up. It will help me get where I'm going."
When she does enter college Ali plans to follow her love for helping people by studying civil engineering and architecture. The engineering program at Middleton High has helped shaped these dreams and has given Ali opportunities beyond her wildest dreams. When she joined the Engineering Club at the start of the school year she jumped in head first, getting involved in the planning of the club's programming, fundraisers, and events. While she is still learning what this club has to offer, it is currently everything she hoped for and more.
On November 1 club members will participate in a robotic event at the beach where they will be required to build a robot to go under water, using only materials they have there. Later in the year they will compete in a TNT competition at USF where they will build robots to move and "fight" in certain ways. One of Ali's biggest challenges, however, may be standing out as one of only three girls in a class of 27 students. "It makes me want to prove I'm just as good, even better, at this as [the boys] are," she says, "I don't want people to believe boys are better."
As a part of the Florida Prepaid Scholarship program, Ali will be paired with a mentor for the duration of her years at Middleton. She looks forward to the relationship she will build with her mentor and is interested in learning how she copes with the events of her life. "It's always good to talk with someone about issues, school, and accomplishments," Ali says.
Click here to learn more about the Foundation's Florida Prepaid Scholarship program.
Victoria Periord
Planned Giving
Reminiscing on the past and paving a way for the future, Victoria Periord is opening doors for future generations. Victoria is leaving a legacy through the Hillsborough Education Foundation's planned giving opportunities. From endowment funds to life insurance policies, donors can designate funds to underprivileged students throughout the county to build a better tomorrow for them. Victoria did just that. As an underprivileged child herself, Victoria has a passion for giving back to those who cannot support their educational endeavors through financial means.
"Some kids go up to a certain level and they have to quit school because they have to go home to help their family to survive," she said.
Surviving is something she knows all too well. In Northern Italy, Victoria was a 10-year-old girl who loved to write, studied French and Italian, and was well educated. With only hope and a high school diploma, at 17 she was forced into the workforce to help provide for her family. She and her family traveled to Northern Africa to find work. Even through sickness and hardships she had to provide.
Through several job transitions and recovering health, she finally landed a job in the United States working for an attorney and enrolling in newspaper and correspondence courses where her English was perfected.
"I regretted for years that I never had the opportunity to learn things like more literature," she said. "I had nobody that could teach me anything. I should have started when I was young."
She realizes the importance of a strong foundation in education. But she is also a product of an underprivileged environment. Helping others in the same predicament means something to her.
"I consider myself lucky to receive the education I did then because we were in the poverty level," Victoria said. "Even the small education gave me the drive and our conditions were such that I had to better myself."
She said she wanted to find an organization that fit her purpose perfectly. She doesn't have any children and she worked to make extra money. Even though, she said, her contribution wasn't much she wanted to give a batch of money for different people.
"I think the money should go to youngsters who have the ability to learn but don't have the means to continue their education," Victoria said. "We have reached a time here in this country and all over the world where people without education have no choice to become anybody without it. You learn a lot if you work steadily. The secret is to stay busy and learn while you're doing," she said.
To learn more about the Heritage Society and planned giving opportunities, click here.
Scholar Profile
Aakash M. Patel
As a senior and Sickles High's Student Government Vice President, Aakash was selected as a PTA Student of the Month. Because of this recognition, he believed his chances at receiving the Foundation's Sickles High PTSA Scholarship were rather slim. However, with the encouragement of his guidance counselor, Aakash applied and was selected as the 2002 recipient.
When he started his freshman year at Florida State University, Aakash enrolled in 30 hours of classes. With this came the high expense of course books. "The money awarded to me was used to offset the cost of books," explains Aakash, "I was very thankful for the scholarship money. Without it, I would not have enrolled in as many classes. Since I did, I was able to earn a second degree." After much hard work, Aakash graduated from Florida State in 2006 with a BA in English Literature and Political Science.
Now that he is a Seminole alum, Aakash is giving back to the community that helped him reach his goals. He is a member of various fundraising boards and committees in Hillsborough County, including the Florida Aquarium and the Hillsborough County Citizen's Advisory Committee. Aakash now has his sights set on being involved in the Foundation's scholarship program by becoming a mentor to Hillsborough County students. "My brother is about to enter Hillsborough High next year," he says, "and it's so important to have a voice that has recently been in their shoes."
As a senior and Sickles High's Student Government Vice President, Aakash was selected as a PTA Student of the Month. Because of this recognition, he believed his chances at receiving the Foundation's Sickles High PTSA Scholarship were rather slim. However, with the encouragement of his guidance counselor, Aakash applied and was selected as the 2002 recipient.
When he started his freshman year at Florida State University, Aakash enrolled in 30 hours of classes. With this came the high expense of course books. "The money awarded to me was used to offset the cost of books," explains Aakash, "I was very thankful for the scholarship money. Without it, I would not have enrolled in as many classes. Since I did, I was able to earn a second degree." After much hard work, Aakash graduated from Florida State in 2006 with a BA in English Literature and Political Science.
Now that he is a Seminole alum, Aakash is giving back to the community that helped him reach his goals. He is a member of various fundraising boards and committees in Hillsborough County, including the Florida Aquarium and the Hillsborough County Citizen's Advisory Committee. Aakash now has his sights set on being involved in the Foundation's scholarship program by becoming a mentor to Hillsborough County students. "My brother is about to enter Hillsborough High next year," he says, "and it's so important to have a voice that has recently been in their shoes."
As a senior and Sickles High's Student Government Vice President, Aakash was selected as a PTA Student of the Month. Because of this recognition, he believed his chances at receiving the Foundation's Sickles High PTSA Scholarship were rather slim. However, with the encouragement of his guidance counselor, Aakash applied and was selected as the 2002 recipient.
When he started his freshman year at Florida State University, Aakash enrolled in 30 hours of classes. With this came the high expense of course books. "The money awarded to me was used to offset the cost of books," explains Aakash, "I was very thankful for the scholarship money. Without it, I would not have enrolled in as many classes. Since I did, I was able to earn a second degree." After much hard work, Aakash graduated from Florida State in 2006 with a BA in English Literature and Political Science.
Now that he is a Seminole alum, Aakash is giving back to the community that helped him reach his goals. He is a member of various fundraising boards and committees in Hillsborough County, including the Florida Aquarium and the Hillsborough County Citizen's Advisory Committee. Aakash now has his sights set on being involved in the Foundation's scholarship program by becoming a mentor to Hillsborough County students. "My brother is about to enter Hillsborough High next year," he says, "and it's so important to have a voice that has recently been in their shoes."
As a senior and Sickles High's Student Government Vice President, Aakash was selected as a PTA Student of the Month. Because of this recognition, he believed his chances at receiving the Foundation's Sickles High PTSA Scholarship were rather slim. However, with the encouragement of his guidance counselor, Aakash applied and was selected as the 2002 recipient.
When he started his freshman year at Florida State University, Aakash enrolled in 30 hours of classes. With this came the high expense of course books. "The money awarded to me was used to offset the cost of books," explains Aakash, "I was