(November 12, 2024) TAMPA, FL – Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) is thrilled to announce the expansion of the Student Center of Postsecondary Exploration (SCOPE) to Spoto High School, marking it as the third site in Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) for this increasingly popular college and career readiness initiative. Thanks to generous funding from The Mosaic Company and Tampa Electric Company (TECO), Spoto High School students will now have access to critical, personalized support to prepare for their postsecondary journeys. The SCOPE program offers resources such as one-on-one college and career planning, assistance with admissions and financial aid applications, and guidance on technical college and trade school pathways.
Planning for life after high school is more complex than ever. As students weigh their options, having a dedicated resource for personalized support is vital. That’s where SCOPE truly shines, offering tailored guidance that caters to each student’s individual needs and aspirations, be it higher education or even a specific career path.
Media are invited to celebrate this expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony:
- When: Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early.)
- Where: Spoto High School – 8538 Eagle Palm Dr, Riverview, FL 33578
- Notables in attendance:
- Anna Corman, President and CEO of HEF.
- Zuley Castro, Chief Program Officer of HEF.
- Representatives from HCPS, including Marcos Murillo, Chief of Innovation and Strategic Planning.
- Representatives from The Mosaic Company.
- Representatives from TECO.
SCOPE’s Impact
Initially launched at King High School in 2022, SCOPE has since expanded to Brandon High School, meeting or exceeding all key program benchmarks. The program’s reach and success have continued to grow, with thousands of students benefiting from its resources and individualized guidance. HEF’s President and CEO, Anna Corman, envisions ongoing expansion for SCOPE, with a goal of establishing six fully operational centers by 2026.
“SCOPE has proven to be a valuable resource for students navigating the complex journey toward college and career readiness,” said Anna Corman. “Our students at King and Brandon High Schools have shown tremendous growth and engagement through SCOPE, and we are excited to bring these resources to Spoto High School.”
Quotes from Our Partners
Karen Swager, Executive Vice President, Operations, The Mosaic Company:
“This partnership means a direct line of communication, guidance, and mentorship to the future of the local workforce. Mosaic’s Riverview Plant celebrates 100 years this fall. Our employees are deeply rooted in the Progress Village Community. Access to SCOPE at Spoto High School allows us a chance to build that relationship through expanded opportunity, growing a skilled workforce right in our backyard.”
Julie Ward, Community Investment Manager, TECO:
“Tampa Electric is thrilled to help lift our students and remove barriers that can stand in the way of their success. Education is the foundation of a strong community, and by empowering our students, we’re not only investing in their futures, but in the future of our entire community.”
Van Ayres, Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools:
“We are excited to see the launch of the SCOPE program at Spoto High School, which brings invaluable opportunities for our students to gain real-world skills and career insights. This program is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to invest in our students’ futures. My deepest thanks to our community partners—the Hillsborough Education Foundation, Mosaic, and TECO—for their dedication and support in making this program a reality.”
About The Mosaic Company
With the global population expected to reach nine billion by 2050, food security is an ever-growing challenge that The Mosaic Company will help meet. Our 12,000 women and men, operating in countries around the world, produce and deliver millions of tons of responsibly produced phosphate and potash fertilizers from mine to market – nutrients that are vital to feed crops which feed people everywhere – and serve farmers in 40 countries by helping them increase crop yields and improve nutrition for people and animals.
We pursue our mission to help the world grow the food it needs responsibly and sustainably: We are committed to being good stewards of the environment by reducing our water use and greenhouse gas emissions, good neighbors through strong partnerships with our host communities, and by being a more diverse and inclusive company where every person feels valued and appreciated.
About TECO
Tampa Electric, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves more than 840,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
About Hillsborough Education Foundation
Every child deserves access to the best possible education — and the teachers, tools, and trusted mentors they need to succeed. But today, this fundamental right remains out of reach for too many young people in our community. Hillsborough Education Foundation works to ensure every student in Hillsborough County receives an outstanding public education that equips them for a fulfilling future. By unlocking opportunities for students, investing in teachers, and strengthening public schools, we’ll make Hillsborough County Public Schools one of the best places to learn and teach, where 100% of students graduate with the ability to pursue anything they can dream. Learn more and join us at EducationFoundation.com.
