VOLUSIA TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN SCHOLARS HONORED

Daytona Beach – Take Stock in Children (TSIC), a statewide scholarship and mentoring program facilitated locally through FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools, hosted a Senior Graduation on May 8th at The Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach. The event recognized graduating high school seniors from the program.  

As proud parents, mentors and sponsors watched, 24 seniors were celebrated during a ceremony conducted by TSIC Leadership Chair and DeLand Mayor, Chris Cloudman, and TSIC Student Services & Mentor Coordinator Liz Falero.  Volusia County School Board Chair Jamie Haynes and Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin provided their congratulations and best wishes to each of the graduating seniors. Students who completed the program have benefited from a volunteer mentor meeting with them throughout their high school career, as well as the support of Ms. Falero and College Success Coaches Wendy Feigenbaum and Jim Neill, who ensured they successfully graduated from high school and are prepared for college.

The following  students will receive a Florida Prepaid four-year college tuition scholarship: Narae Ivey at Atlantic High; Ava Cramer at Deland High; Milena Camacho at Deltona High; Diego Colon-Ruiz, Kyle Moore, and Christian Ramirez-Ventura at Mainland High; Noah Birsch, Abigail Blum, and Sean Carilli at New Smyrna Beach High; Aysha Poole and Thalia Rios-Diaz at Pine Ridge High; Carson Frasier at Seabreeze High; Skylah Charles, Keilyn Davenport, Marcus Frost, Tony Kinsler (who graduated in December 2024), Jada Kurk, and Haylee Mason at Spruce Creek High; Lexie Ballado, Yazury Cortez, and Becky Galarza at T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High; Savannah Parker at Volusia Online Learning.  The following students will receive a Florida Prepaid two-year college tuition scholarship: Janelle Oxendine from Atlantic High School; Joedee Veillard from Spruce Creek High School; Miranda Delassaint from University High School.

The ceremony also included a special recognition of Volusia’s 2025 TSIC Mentor of the Year, Kay Luttrell.  Mrs. Luttrell has been a TSIC mentor for 3 years.   She consistently goes above and beyond for the program, currently mentoring two students at two different schools.  During the ceremony, she shared heartfelt words of wisdom and encouragement for the graduates.  Four seniors were recognized for three special achievements.  Yazury Cortez, T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High, was recognized as TSIC’s Outstanding Senior and received an additional $500 scholarship.  Becky Galarza, T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High, received the Clayton Scholarship of $1000.  Two Students, Noah Birsch, New Smyrna Beach High School, and Aysha Poole, Pine Ridge High School, received the Essance of Take Stock Award, and a $500 scholarship each.    

TSIC scholars are selected in eighth or ninth grade based on financial need, academic achievement, good character, and community involvement. Scholarships are funded through generous community and individual donations, as well as proceeds from fundraising events hosted by FUTURES Foundation, such as the annual Caribbean Party. FUTURES Foundation partners directly with the Stanley Tate Project STARS (Scholarship Tuition for At-Risk Students) program, part of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, which provides dollar-for-dollar matching funds to help purchase these scholarships. Since its inception, the Stanley Tate Project STARS program has awarded more than 15,000 scholarships statewide to low-income students at risk of not completing high school — providing them with the opportunity to pursue a college education and a brighter future.

Donations to purchase local TSIC scholarships are accepted throughout the year and mentors are being recruited for these new students. Anyone interested in donating towards TSIC scholarships or volunteering as a mentor may contact TSIC Student Services and Mentor Coordinator Liz Falero at elfalero@volusia.k12.fl.us or 386-255-6475, ext. 50724 for additional information.

Established in 1985, FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for students and teachers across Volusia County. The Foundation partners with local businesses, civic organizations, and individuals to provide innovative programs, scholarships, teacher classroom grants, and student mentoring initiatives. Through its support of programs like Take Stock in Children, FUTURES works to inspire student success, promote excellence in education, and strengthen the connection between schools and the community.

Photo 1:  2025 Graduates from l to r, back row, Liz Falero, Student Service & Mentor Coordinator, Sean Carilli, Keilyn Davenport, Skylah Charles, Noah Birsch, Diego Colon-Ruiz, Kyle Moore, middle row, Carson Frazier, Milena Camacho, Aysha Poole, Ava Cramer, Narae Ivey, Haylee Mason, Wendy Feigenbaum, Colleg Success Coach, front row, Savannah Parker, Thalia Rios-Diaz, Abigail Blum, Christian Ramirez-Ventura, Yazury Cortez, Lexie Ballado and Jayda Kurk

Photo 2: Yazury Cortez, senior, and winner Take Stock Outstanding Senior award, and Wendy Feigenbaum the Take Stock in Children College Success Coach.

Photo 3; Kay Luttrell, Take Stock in Children Volusia’s Mentor of the Year.

Photo 4: Wendy Feigenbaum, College Success Coach with Aysha Poole, and Noah Birsch, Essance of Take Stock Award Winners, and Liz Falero Student Services & Mentor Coordinator.