Take Stock in Children is a Florida non-profit organization providing scholarships and mentors to children in Florida. If I said to you, “their mission is grand,” it would be an understatement of immense proportion.

Over twenty years ago, my Mom established a scholarship fund, a memorial to my sister who died suddenly. Some of the proceeds benefit the Florida Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches and the balance funds a Take Stock in Children Scholarship.

Awarded to a community-oriented young woman from Broward County who demonstrates academic promise, The Veronica Lee Lynn Memorial Scholarship can be used to pay for tuition, to purchase books or to buy clothes or food. There are no restrictions on the use of the money, as long as the recipient is enrolled at a college, university, technical, culinary or flight school. This year, the awards banquet was held at a packed Signature Grand (Davie) on a sunny afternoon at the end of April. The winner of the Veronica Lee Lynn Memorial Scholarship for 2008 is Samantha Herrera (middle). Ele Bautista-Bernard, Executive Director, Take Stock in Children Broward stands on the left with my Mom, Patti Lynn on the right.

In addition to the recognition awards and scholarships, the Pompano Beach High School drum line gave an incredible, energizing performance. That should have been recorded. It was rousing. Kudos to Samantha Herrera and the members of the PBHS Drum Line . You made our evening!