Foundation Scholars Choose Santa Fe College

May 19, 2011

The Alachua County Public School Foundation awarded scholarships worth $663,450 to graduating seniors during a recent awards ceremony at Gainesville High School. Thirty-six of the 88 students (40 percent) receiving scholarships indicated they would be attending Santa Fe.

The Foundation raises funds year round to provide these scholarships. The money comes from individual donors as well as local civic, fraternal and social organizations, businesses and endowments established through the Foundation. Foundation activities are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a variety of Alachua County businesses and organizations.

Ten of the 20 Take Stock in Children Scholars plan to attend Santa Fe College. These at-risk students were selected to participate in the program as seventh graders and had to meet standards to maintain their eligibility for the award upon graduation from high school. One requirement is to meet weekly with a volunteer mentor. Several Santa Fe faculty and staff have mentored Take Stock students, including Bill Stephenson and Dug Jones.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor or in contributing financially to the Foundation’s efforts to assist local students, contact Jim Galloway or call Nikki Waggner at the Foundation office, 352-955-7003.