Building on Hope

It was a big first step on a long journey for seven promising young students earlier this month, when the Take Stock in Children program signed up seven new recipients.

"You're going to enjoy signing this a whole lot more than a mortgage," joked Roy Carroll, who coordinates the county program, as the children, and their parents readied to sign their commitment to hit the books hard during high school, stay out of trouble and serve the community, all in exchange for the opportunity to receive a full scholarship to a community college and/or four-year college or university in the state.

Signing on the dotted line were ABC School eight graders Nicole Causseaux, Yvonne Mitchell, Hannah Pruett and Seth Rogers; Franklin County eighth graders Cheyenne Martin and Karlie Tucker; and Franklin County ninth grader Christina Pateritsas. Pateritsas was able to be granted a scholarship that became available after a previous recipient decided to bypass college and go directly into work as a correctional officer.

Accompanying Causseaux was her mom, Michelle Hicks; Martin her parents, Teresa Ann Martin and Henry Martin; Mitchell her grandparents the Rev. O.H. and Shirley Walker; Pateritsas her mom Callie Nichols; Pruett her mom Shannon Pruett; and Rogers his mom Evena Rogers.

Among the students already on board with take Stock are sophomore Ashley Strevel, of Eastpoint, who started with the program as an eighth grader.

Strevel, who was accompanied by her aunt Linda McQuagge, said she plans to pursue a career as an LPN (licensed practical nurse. "I want to be a pediatrician but don't know if I want to go to college for eight years," she said. "But I am going to college. I'll start off at Gulf Coast Community College and move on to a major college."

Across the table at the May 12 banquet, catered by Cheryl Creek's culinary arts students in the cafetorium, sat Strevel's mentor, Dr. John Sink, who holds a doctorate in biochemistry and is former chancellor of one of the Penn State branch campuses, and later dean at Georgia Southern Polytechnic University.

He's done research in radiophysiology and muscle physiology, and as such takes a keen interest in Strevel's math and science progress when the two meet regularly to discuss her academic challenges.

"That's why I'm always delighted when kids do well in science, and decide on a profession in a scientific field," he said.

To meet another requirement of the program, Strevel has done community service at Ard's in Eastpoint, picking up the telephone and organizing paperwork, as she absorbs more of what it takes to succeed in the workaday world.

Carroll saluted all the mentors who are part of the program, and the other students who they work with. Mentors include Barbara "Babs" Bailey, who works with junior Katie Brannan; Jerry Butterfield, who mentors juniors Wesley Bellew and Joy Carrino; Denise Williams, who mentors senior Angela Ochala; Suzanne Zimmerman, who mentors with freshman Sammi Coulter; Dr. Lois Catlin, who mentors senior Chelsea Soderholm, and freshman Tiffani Schmidt; Judy Tysinger, who mentors freshman Lyndsey Mehaffey; George Oehlert, who mentors freshman Chance Buffkin; Laverne Smith, who also mentors Soderholm; and the Rev. David Walker, who mentors sophomore Shaquille ray and freshman Javeion Winfield

Newly recruited mentors include Missy Cumbie, Karl Lester, Kris and Kellie Tomes, Rosa Tolliver, Dolores Croom and Ron Yurko.

"I can not tell you how much I appreciate all these mentors," said Carroll. "They are very caring, very professional. They take to heart what they do."

As upcoming graduates, Ochala and Soderholm were both saluted for their work, and each presented a gift to their mentors.

Carroll said there are now 17 Take Stock in Children scholarships at the high school, with four scholarships to be given out next spring.

To participate in the program, either by funding a full or partial scholarship, or by volunteering, call Carroll at 670-2800.