Founded in 1995 in response to the need for a scholarship program that provides more than just financial assistance to recipients, Take Stock in Children is a comprehensive program that helps underserved students stay in school, earn a high school diploma, graduate from college and enter the workforce. Enrolling students as early as the eighth grade, the program offers; a college tuition scholarship, volunteer mentors to provide support, and a case manager to support the student's educational achievements. College and career counseling are also offered to all participants.

Students in the program sign performance contracts agreeing to get good grades, exhibit positive behavior and remain drug and crime free. If all program requirements are met, students receive a college tuition scholarship when they graduate high school!

BECOME A TSIC MENTOR AND HELP STUDENTS EARN THEIR SCHOLARSHIP!

TSIC Mentor

Take Stock Polk County is looking for qualified mentors to help guide our high school Take Stock scholars!

  • Dedicate 30 minutes, twice a month to meet with a high school student who has the odds stacked against them
  • Encourage a student to pledge to maintain good grades and GPA, maintain good attendance, and remain crime and drug free
  • Inspire a student to earn a college scholarship by graduating high school and staying true to their pledge

To become a Take Stock mentor:

  • Complete the Mentor Application
  • Complete the New Mentor Training video
  • Pass a Level 2 Background Check
  • Be matched with a Polk County high school student 

 

23rd Annual Take Stock in Children Scholarship Scramble 

All funds raised are matched dollar for dollar by Florida Prepaid Project STARS program to purchase scholarships for current and future Take Stock students! Register today to help send a Polk County Take Stock Scholars to college!

Tournament Details

October 31, 2025
Cleveland Heights Golf Course
2600 Buckingham Ave.
Lakeland, Fl 33803

7:00am Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30am Shotgun Start

Lunch, prize, and award ceremony after tournament

Sponsorship Opportunities

For further details please contact:


Congrats to our Take Stock Scholars Class of 2025!

Congrats to our Take Stock Scholars Class of 2025!   Auburndale High School

Auburndale High School

  • Jenaija Wilson
  • Maria Montes
  • Natalia Reyes

Bartow Senior High

  • Alyssa Stewart
  • Eshan Alam- Bartow IB
  • Lilliana Tome-Gonzalez

Discovery High School

  • Allie Waring
  • Aviana Gaines
  • Calia Cefalu
  • Michaela Ashley

Fort Meade Middle/Senior

  • Devan Ayers

Gateway to College

  • Amari Johnson
  • Arielle Polite
  • Kylah Boggan

Haines City Senior

  • Arianna Gaston
  • Zabriya Thomas

Kathleen Senior

  • Andrely Camacho Madrigal
  • Trey Barger

Lake Region Senior

  • Senarri Sconiers

Lake Wales Senior

  • Aonesti Foster
  • Brianna Martinez
  • Kayanna Wilks

Lakeland Senior

  • Carmen Antonio Perez
  • C'era Lawson
  • Jayden Corbett
  • Shawn Cook

Mulberry Senior

  • Angeles Guerrero- Nievez
  • Araceli Mateo Marcos
  • Belinda Cervantes-Flores
  • Dulce Roque-Molina
  • Guadalupe Denova
  • Elizabeth Hernandez-Paz
  • Esmeralda Guerrero
  • Kimberly Molina
  • Tony Vergara

Polk eSchool

  • Virginia Blair

Polk State Collegiate High School

  • Sofia Reyes

Ridge Technical College

  • Miguel Hernandez-Rodriguez

Summerlin Academy

  • Sebastian Delanis

Tenoroc Senior

  • Shania Leon

Traviss Technical College

  • Yazmine Cantoran

Winter Haven Senior

  • Casey Harvey

For Current Scholarship Recipients

All graduating seniors must complete the FAFSA in order to receive the Bright Futures scholarship, Take Stock in Children Florida Prepaid scholarship or Polk Education Foundation scholarships.

Contact:

Please call 863-534-0519 and ask for assistance about the Take Stock in Children program.

Take Stock in Children Polk County affiliate staff

Maria "Toni" Moreno
College Success Coach
863-534-0519 x.204
[email protected]

Deanne "Dee" Audette
Program Advisor-Mentor Coordinator
863-534-0519 x.207
[email protected]