Rays Baseball Foundation and Helios Education Foundation announce 2014 scholars
In 2012, the Rays Baseball Foundation and Helios Education Foundation teamed up to provide $1 million in college scholarships for students participating in Take Stock in Children in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee and Pasco counties over a five-year period. On Friday, August 29, the Tampa Bay Rays and Helios will recognize a new class of scholars for 2013-14 during a pregame presentation at Tropicana Field.
The new scholars will be joined by the 2012-13 class, Take Stock in Children mentors and guests along with representatives from Helios Education Foundation, the Rays Baseball Foundation and Rays outfielder Matt Joyce.
The Rays and Helios Education Foundation partnership is aimed at giving students the financial resources and mentorship support they need to successfully achieve a postsecondary education at any Florida state college.
2013-2014 Rays-Helios Education Foundation Scholars: From Hillsborough County: Ernest Aleman, Kevin Aquino, Kirstin Bassinger, Valeria Sofia Berroteran, Solanch Donate, Gabriela Flores, Ernesto Fraga Cadre, Saphire Gonzalez, Diana Madde, Natali Marte-Mendez, Rogelio Mendieta, Yuliana Moreno, Nicole Mosquera, Onyeka Nwagbuo, Steven Quirindongo, Iyanna Reynolds, Daniela Ricardo, Aider Rodriguez, Dominic Sardegna and Kevin Vale-Dunleavy. From Manatee County: Alyssa Caso, Analise Espinoza, Chandler Pridgeon, Robert Rawls and Michael Torres. From Pasco County: Shaneika Beharie, Aundrea Berry, Abigahil Estrada, Moises Guaderrama, Alexis Hernandez and Hannah Rick. From Pinellas County: John Andrade, Peter Andrade, Wayne Atkins, Jr., Justin Bradley, Ashunti Broughton, Adam Coon, Tia Ellis, Ronald Labrie Jyrieal McKinney, Danielle Morris, Hannah Schuster, Morgan Scudder and Ameer Williams. From Sarasota County: Autumn Byrd, Juan Marin, Bailey Pachter, Tyler Pachter, Lilybeth Ruiz-Vasquez and Juan Soto.
About the Rays Baseball Foundation
The Rays Baseball Foundation, the official charity of the Tampa Bay Rays, focuses primarily on youth and education programs in the Tampa Bay region that make a measurable difference in the community. Since 2008, the Rays Baseball Foundation has proudly invested more than $3.5 million in youth and education programs in the Tampa Bay area. Key contributors to the Foundation include Rays owners, players, sponsors, fans and employees. For more information, visit raysbaseball.com/community.
About Helios Education Foundation
Helios Education Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals to succeed in postsecondary education by advancing the academic preparedness of all students and fostering a high-expectation, college-going culture in Florida and Arizona. The Foundation focuses its investments across the education continuum in three key impact areas: Early Grade Success, College and Career Readiness and Postsecondary Education Success.
As an engaged foundation, embedded in communities across both states, the foundation is contributing its leadership, expertise and financial resources to better prepare students for college and career and to succeed in a globally-competitive economy. Since 2006, Helios has invested more than $142 million in education-related programs and initiatives in Arizona and Florida. For more information, visit www.helios.org.
About Take Stock in Children
Take Stock in Children provides a unique opportunity for low-income and at-risk students, many from minority families, to escape the cycle of poverty through education. The program offers students college scholarships, mentorship and hope for a better life. The program's comprehensive services start in middle school, continue through high school and include helping students transition to college. Take Stock in Children's programs are based on the principle that given extensive support, motivation and accountability, children will work hard to ensure that they graduate from high school and attain a college degree. For more information, please visit takestockinchildren.org.