The Bay Education Foundation brought home the highest honor awarded to local Take Stock in Children affiliates, earning the prestigious Luminary Award for the outstanding performance and impact of its program in Bay County.

The award was presented August 5 during the Take Stock in Children Back to School Summit in Orlando, where program leaders from across Florida gathered to celebrate achievements, share best practices and prepare for the year ahead.

For Bay District Schools students participating in Take Stock in Children, the program provides much more than financial assistance for college. Students are paired with volunteer mentors who meet with them throughout the school year, while the Bay Education Foundation provides academic accountability, college and career readiness support, and a pathway to a Florida Prepaid scholarship upon successful completion of the program.

The results speak for themselves: Bay County's Take Stock in Children scholars have maintained a 99% high school graduation rate.

“Receiving the Luminary Award is an incredible honor because it reflects the commitment of so many people who believe in our students,” said Aimee Bright, Executive Director of the Bay Education Foundation. “Our mentors consistently show up, our school partners help us support students every step of the way, and our community continues to invest in their futures. This recognition belongs to all of them.”

Much of the program's success can be attributed to its dedicated volunteer mentors, who provide students with a consistent and encouraging adult connection throughout their high school journey.

Mentoring is also a relatively small time commitment with the potential for a lifelong impact. Mentors meet with their student just twice a month during the school year, providing encouragement, accountability and support as students work toward graduation and their future goals.

As Take Stock in Children continues to grow in Bay County, the Foundation is seeking additional volunteers to ensure even more BDS students can benefit from the program.

Bay Education Foundation serves as the direct-support organization for Bay District Schools and supports students and educators through Take Stock in Children, Grants for Great Ideas, the Teacher Resource Store, scholarships, employee tuition assistance and other programs investing directly in public education throughout Bay County.

Congratulations to the Bay Education Foundation team, its volunteer mentors, school partners and community supporters on this outstanding statewide recognition, and, most importantly, on the difference they continue to make for BDS students.