The annual Celebration of Hope took place on May 31 at The Francis.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 9:11 p.m. May 31, 2017
Sarasota
Neighbors
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Lisa Bechtold, executive director of Take Stock in Children, perfectly encompassed the message of Celebration of Hope when she opened the program with song lyrics that brought tears to the eyes of several guests.
“I see your true colors shining through. I see your true colors, and that's why I love you,” she recited, quoting “True Colors” by songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly.
Her introduction at the May 31 event at The Francis was followed by an acoustic performance of the song, which was a fitting precursor to the ceremony.
Celebration of Hope honored the graduating seniors of the Take Stock in Children mentoring program, which pairs low-income and at-risk students with community volunteer mentors and college success coaches. If they maintain a 2.5 GPA, the program provides every participant with a full-ride post-secondary school scholarship.
The 41 graduating seniors from Sarasota Military Academy, North Port High School, Sarasota High School, Riverview High School, Booker High School, Venice High School, Pine View School and Prew Academy that were celebrated all plan on attending secondary school in the fall, ranging from popular in-state schools such as State College of Florida and Florida State University to out-of-state universities such as Duke University and the United States Naval Academy.
Gloria Keshecki, Brandin Muniz and Kory Muniz
Megan Mahoney, Vince Newell, Brionna Newell and Monica Wideman
Mikayla Lyons, Miranda Lyons and Marissa Lyons
Alexia Devincenzo and Cindy Devincenzo
Fatimah Stanley and Taliah Stanley
The Take Stock in Children letters adorned the entryway to Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Christina Farmer, Jason Roberts, Melissa Roberts and Candace Fisher
Laura Kingsley, Phyllis Scheckner and Steve Radies
Booker High School student Sheila Uria plays the violin before the program begins at Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Milli Stepanek, Ana Veliz and Jane Keil Yoder
Kim Cornetet, Sonia Marin, Sarah Marin and Luis Marin
Roses sat on the table before being handed to honorees during the Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Kathy Penkwitz, Isabella Penkwitz, Zina Kangelaris and Luke Lubaski
Andrea Lee, Take Stock in Children Executive Director Lisa Bechtold, Karina Vazquez and Juan Marin
Pennants from several schools that graduates of the program will be attending adorned the doors to the ballroom during Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Eileen O’Fallon and Kate McManus
Arianna Poquette, Ajaylay Poquette and Marissa McCartney
Medals were laid out on a table next to the stage before being handed out to graduates during the Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Take Stock in Children Board Chairman Scott Atkins addresses the crowd during Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Dylan Bechtold and Bryn Dulitz sing "True Colors" during Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Compasses were handed out to mentors as a gift for volunteering with Take Stock in Children during the Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Take Stock in Children Executive Director Lisa Bechtold says she' s a "proud mom" after her son Dylan Bechtold sings "True Colors" with Bryn Dulitz during Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Booker High School graduate Erinn Lee shakes hands with Ted Downing during Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
Booker High School graduate Odane Lennox, an incoming student of the Gator Engineering Program of SCF & UF, shakes hands with Ted Downing during Celebration of Hope on May 31 at The Francis.
