Page 43 - January Report 2025

Education / A Powerful force for change Page 41
decision on which school to attend, they are more likely to acclimate to the college environment
and remain to obtain college degrees.
At the conclusion of their presentation and answering questions, Rosemary and Tom were thanked
and excused.
While agreeing that the school model is well focused on students, there was a question about
whether or not the students are actually gaining any financial training by working and having all
of the money go directly to the school. The acceptance letter to the students and their parents
clearly lists that the internships/work study are a documented part of covering the cost of tuition,
but is that financial education enough?
The other matter of concern was whether or not these various pre-college visits are really the full
answer to increasing college retention. There was little to indicate how much research had been
done outside of the fact that this approach appears to be working for several other schools. It was
agreed that this grant is risky and really will not be proved effective until at least 6 years into the
programs.
The Committee approved a grant to Cristo Rey Boston as presented for $195,000 over 3
years to support the Pre-College Summer Scholars, Pre-College Touring Scholars and Pre-
College Visiting Scholars programs by a vote of 7 directors for, and 1 director abstaining.
b. Take Stock/Johnson Scholars Program
Bobby welcomed Nancy Stellway, Executive Director of Take Stock in Children Palm Beach who
then introduced her team: Shania Rowley, Success Manager, of Take Stock in Children Palm Beach;
Bo George, Instructional Specialist, and Phara Lissade-Latour, Resource Teacher, with the School
District of Palm Beach County; and Lovely Richardson and Ryan Ferguson, Program alumni. The
Fall 2024 report on the Program had been circulated.
Lovely, a 2019 graduate of the Program, shared her story of being a Take Stock/Johnson Scholar
since her freshman year. She credits the Program and her mentor for strong guidance in her
desire to be a woman in the construction industry and pursue her college degree in Construction
Management. Her internship at Hedrick Brothers Construction ultimately led to her being hired
there after she graduated from Everglades University. Now she is paying back by being a mentor
herself.
A slide presentation shared the needs in Palm Beach County including the fact that the middle
schools have 1 guidance counselor for every 400 students. The ratio is even worse in the high
schools where it is 1:600. The Program with its mentors, workshops, “School Community”
meetings and hands-on guidance is working to “Empower, Equip, and Expose”. The commitment
to students continues through their college experiences. 74% of the Program graduates complete
college. The addition of the College Ambassadors has been so successful that they are now a
component of the statewide program.
Students (and their parents) know from the start that they will receive a 2-year college tuition
scholarship. Nancy explained that there often are additional college credit hours available and
some dorm packages as well. There is no question that this is a prime motivator in applying to be
in the Program.
Like Lovely, Ryan shared his testimony of the power of the Program to guide him to his job with
the Jupiter Police Department which named him Officer of the Year. Police work had always been
his dream, but his police officer mentor gave him insights and direction that he could not have had
anywhere else. The scholarship made it possible for him to get his degree.
GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES (DRAFT) (5)