Investing In Kids (INK!) Celebrates 13 Take Stock In Children Graduating Seniors
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (May 16, 2025)—Investing in Kids (INK!) proudly celebrates the Take Stock in Children St. Johns County Class of 2025, including a very special milestone – 13 seniors are graduating as the 25th class of Take Stock in Children-St. Johns County. The program is a non-profit mentoring, college success, and college scholarship organization dedicated to transforming Florida one student at a time. INK! has managed Take Stock in Children-St. Johns since 1998, granting over $2,000,000 in donor-supported scholarships.
“One hundred percent of our Take Stock in Children 2025 graduates are moving on to post-secondary education,” said Cathy Newman, INK!’s Executive Director. “This is a milestone for the program in St. Johns County and continues a long history of success. In the last 20 years, 96 percent of our local Take Stock graduates have continued their education past high school, with 62 percent earning an associate’s, bachelor’s, and/or master’s degree. We are thankful for our amazing support organizations, college and career advisors, and mentors, comprised of business professionals, leaders, and community members.”
Working statewide throughout Florida, Take Stock in Children’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for degree attainment through postsecondary education. As the exclusive local affiliate for the statewide Take Stock in Children organization, INK! helps students graduate from high school with individualized support through volunteer mentors, college and career coaching, tuition scholarships, and hope for future success. Students must sign a contract, promising to maintain a 2.5 grade point average, stay in school, and remain drug and crime-free. At graduation, Take Stock in Children scholars are awarded tuition scholarships equaling 60 credit hours to the Florida state college or technical college of their choice. This year’s graduating class is moving on to secondary opportunities at the University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Florida State College of Jacksonville, Daytona State College, and First Coast Technical College. This year, INK! is honored to celebrate the 45-year educational career of retiring St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson with a scholarship awarded to one graduate in honor of his service. He was recognized at the May 12th graduation ceremony, with current graduates and alumni present.
The Take Stock in Children application window is currently open for students in St. Johns County public schools. Students in 8th, 9th, and 10th grades are eligible to apply online here. To learn more about Take Stock in Children in St. Johns County or to become a mentor, contact Jim Wheeler at james.wheeler@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
ABOUT INVESTING IN KIDS: The St. Johns County Education Foundation, Inc., which operates as Investing in Kids (INK!), promotes success for all St. Johns County public school students and teachers by providing innovative programs, teacher support, classroom resources, and scholarships to benefit more than 52,000 students and approximately 3,200 teachers. INK! is a 501(c)3 education foundation with offices at 1 Christopher Street in St. Augustine. Photos to accompany this release may be found here. Learn more at ink-stjohns.org and follow along on Facebook @InvestingInKids and Instagram @INK_InvestingInKids
