Middleton High Visited by CEO of Take Stock in Children

Middleton High School's special guest yesterday had a message for the students gathered in the school's media room: "You are part of a wonderful movement."

Emilio Alonso-Mendoza, Take Stock in Children's new president and CEO, visited the school along with representatives from its Hillsborough County partner, the Hillsborough Education Foundation. The visit was part of a tour of all the organizations throughout the state that Take Stock in Children partners with to provide mentors and scholarships to low-income and at-risk youth.

Students chosen for the program work with volunteer mentors who offer support in a variety of ways, from tutoring to navigating social challenges and personal struggles.

It's too big a job for an institution to do alone, Middleton High Principal Owen Young said during his introductory remarks. To provide the most effective education for every student, it takes a community partnership, he said.

By partnering with organizations such as Take Stock in Children and the Hillsborough Education Foundation, "We are drilling down to every student, one student at a time," Owen said.

Mendoza, who has led multiple nonprofit organizations for the past 25 years, including serving as President of The Children's Home Foundation, said many organizations tend to focus on students at the top or the very bottom of the ladder, assuming the students in the middle are OK. But the students in the middle -- motivated, bright, but lacking resources -- are the ones Take Stock aims to support.

The students in Take Stock's program must fulfill contractual requirements by maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5, meeting with their mentor once a week, and staying drug- and crime-free. Students who meet their obligations are awarded scholarships to any college, university or vocational school in Florida.

Mentors are provided for the Take Stock program in Hillsborough County by the Hillsborough Education Foundation, which matches volunteers with area students. Mentors must commit to one hour a week with their student for a year, and the foundation is continually seeking new volunteers, a foundation representative said.

Linda Beckman, a volunteer mentor, described senior Michelle Brunson as sweet and reserved, answering every question during their initial visits three years ago with a "Yes, ma'am" or a "No ma'am." It wasn't until Beckman brought in crayons and the two colored pictures together while she asked the same questions that Brunson opened up a bit. Then Brunson told her she didn't want to color anymore.

That was more than a "no, ma'am," so it was progress, Beckman laughed.

Soft-spoken Brunson described her relationship with Beckman as an important part of her success in school.

"She means a lot to me," Brunson said.

Beckman said a lot of people tell her how lucky Brunson is to have her as a mentor.

"But I say I'm the lucky one," Beckman said.

For information on volunteering as a mentor, contact the Hillsborough Education Foundation at (813) 574-0260.

For information on Take Stock in Children, call (888) 322- 4673.