Take Stock in Children Senior Recognition 2023

Putnam County's Take Stock in Children program is excited to announce that EIGHT Putnam County School District seniors successfully completed our program and were honored at an event on April 13th at Coventry Oaks Farm. 

Palatka Jr Sr High School
Caleb Arnold
Gerika Brown
Deon Fells
Le’Brianna Hall

Crescent City Jr Sr High School
Devin Prince
Jaylen Session
Interlachen Jr Sr High School
Malakai DeVeronica
Tyson Stevenson


These Take Stock In Children scholars earned their scholarships by meeting regularly with a volunteer mentor, completing professional college coaching sessions, and participating in college readiness events. At the event, each student received a Take Stock In Children medallion to wear at graduation but most importantly they each received a 60-credit hour college rate tuition scholarship from the Florida PrePaid Foundation that covers the cost of tuition at a Florida college or technical school. Our seniors plan to attend the following post-secondary institutions: Central Florida College, St. John's River State College, Daytona State Collage, Santa Fe College, and First Coast Technical College. Take Stock in Children is proud to be able to provide these deserving students with a guaranteed pathway to post-secondary education! 

We were grateful to have the following guests join us at the event: Laura France, Holly Pickens, Lamar Purifoy, Shawn Dale Goddard (District Aide for State Rep. Bobby Payne), Mike Meredith (Clay Electric), David Rey (CEO of Goodwill Industries of North Florida), the Mentors for each senior (PCSD employees: Kaite Hess, Nathan Collins, Michelle Graham, John Zarczynski), and Chief Taylor (Palatka Fire Department). 

To learn more about our Putnam program, how to become a volunteer mentor, or to find out how students can apply, please visit https://takestockjax.org/ or reach out directly to Wendy Hansford at 386.590.5859 or [email protected]

Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for deserving, low-income youth to escape the cycle of poverty through education. We offer underserved students one-on-one support through caring volunteer mentors, professional college success services, the opportunity to earn a college scholarship, and hope for success in college, career, and life.

#ProudtobePCSD

Special Thank you to Goodwill Industries of North Florida, Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc., Coventry Oaks Farms, and Trudy Shepard Kinser Memorial Preserve for sponsoring the event!