Alumni + Mentor Spotlights
We are very proud of both our Take Stock Alumni and our Mentors.
ADrian Borrego – Alumni
Take Stock in Children really made an effort on impacting high school students as they embarked for college. I was fortunate to be one of the few 2014 TSIC graduates from Marathon High School ready to pursue my education at the University of South Florida for a B.S. in Computer Engineering. Take Stock not only allowed me to afford college but also guided me throughout the process. With an amazing faculty and college success coach, Katrina Wiatt, at MHS, along with my mentor, Art Stephens, I was prepared mentally and academically to tackle all the horrors that incoming freshmen face.
Thanks to the group of individuals at TSIC I am a Software Engineer at J.P. Morgan & Chase today. Their passion to help others and give back to the community is what really makes this TSIC program unique. It is the people in this program that really make an impact on your future. Although, in the end, it is up to you to push forward and take charge of the future, never give up and always be willing to take a chance throughout your college career. As we USF Bulls like to say, “Grab your future by the horns!”
Adrian Borrego, USF 2018 - B.S. Computer Engineering
Johnny Louis – Alumni
In the spring of 2017, Johnny Louis (Take Stock in Children, Monroe County class of 2012), received a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Florida International University. Johnny credits MCEF and, specifically, his mentor Timothy Gaffney for helping him stay on track. In addition, former MCEF board member Edward Pitts worked hard supporting, guiding, and mentoring Johnny, as did Jim Hall and Dresdin Bray-Edwards (program coordinator and assistant coordinator while Johnny was in middle and high school), and many, many community members.
The Monroe County Education Foundation could not be prouder of this hard-working graduate!
Congratulations Johnny!!!
Dr. Christina Belotti – Alumni
Beginning at age four, Christina was raised in a single parent household. Being the one of the oldest of four children, she was assumed many responsibilities at a young age, but she had tremendous support from her mother.
Education came first. When Christina was in second grade, her mother went back to school to earn her degrees. Since sixth grade, Christina knew she wanted to be a teacher, but she didn’t know how college would be financially possible. That changed with Take Stock in Children. Her dream of an education became a reality.
After graduating from Marathon High School in 2001, Christina earned her BS in Elementary Education from Barry University in 2006, her Master’s in Education from Walden University in 2010, and her PhD in Education in 2018 from Walden University.
Dr. Belotti is in her 11th year teaching at Marathon Middle High School, her alma mater, making a positive difference in her community, and has been selected as the 2019 Take Stock in Children Alumna of the Year!
Phyllis Foster – Mentor
Phyllis Foster, a life-long educator, has a passion for teaching and helping students. A former 3rd grade teacher in New Hampshire, Phyllis served 9 years on the Monroe County Education Foundation board advocating for our economically challenged at-risk youth. She is a Take Stock mentor and a community leader in education.