"A Grand Slam for Florida's Students" Highlights Success Strategy

Presented by the Florida Lottery, Conference Hits One Out Of The Park

MIAMI, Sept. 26 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Take Stock in Children's "A Grand Slam for Florida's Students" presented by the Florida Lottery and held at the St. Petersburg College Collaborative Labs scored big with attendees from throughout Florida. Bases were loaded at the organization's annual conference that featured a dynamic, interactive collaborative workshop attended by college presidents, state legislators, key stakeholders and Take Stock in Children board members and staff.

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"The Collaborative Labs team coached our organization in mapping our future with the collective knowledge of key stakeholders attending the workshop," said incoming Take Stock in Children President and CEO Madeline Pumariega. "Witnessing this positive energy reaffirms our commitment to provide wrap-around educational and mentoring services to students through high school, and to provide the necessary resources these students need to complete college."

Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays, conference attendees were treated to a night at the ballpark where presenting sponsor and Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O'Connell threw out the first pitch. Each time a Rays player hits a double in a regular season game, the Rays Baseball foundation and Helios Education Foundation each donate $600 to Take Stock in Children. With two doubles hit by players David De Jesus and Matt Joyce during the game, more student scholarships will be provided through "Doubling Up for Education."  

"The success of Florida's deserving and low-income students is vital in transforming our communities," said Pumariega. "Partners like the Florida Lottery, Dr. William D. Law and the St. Petersburg College Collaborative Labs team, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Princeton Review, Staples, Comcast, Florida Power & Light, the Stanley Tate Florida PrePaid Foundation and the Helios Education Foundation are invaluable in making that transformation a reality," she concluded.

About Take Stock in Children

Take Stock in Children, a Florida 501(c)3 non-profit organization, provides  mentors,  scholarships and hope for Florida's low-income and deserving students. Incorporated in 1995 and maintaining a 92 percent high school graduation rate, TSIC is Florida's flagship and most successful mentoring and scholarship program. In every Florida county, TSIC scholars in middle and high school pledge to meet regularly with their mentor, maintain academic standards, and remain drug and crime-free on the way to achieving a high school diploma. The reward for fulfilling these commitments is a scholarship to a Florida state college, university or vocational school. To donate, volunteer or learn more about Take Stock in Children, please call 888-322-4673 or visit www.takestockinchildren.org.

SOURCE Take Stock in Children