Advocating for Public Education
The Florida Legislature kicked off its 2023 legislative session last Tuesday in Tallahassee. This year, there are a lot of bills up for discussion impacting education that we are monitoring.
With support from our Board and Advocacy Committee, HEF’s leaders are talking with lawmakers, sharing our work and asking for continued commitment to public education.
HEF CEO Kim Jowell and Chief Program Officer Anna Corman met with several legislators at the Capitol during opening week of the session. The 60-day regular session is scheduled to wrap up on May 5th.
Learn more about our Advocacy Priorities in this month’s e-newsletter.
Senior Surprised with Scholarship to Cover College Housing
Recently, Suncoast Credit Union recognized Armwood High School student and Take Stock in Children mentee, Daisy, with a scholarship that will cover a full academic year of housing at one of Florida’s 40 public colleges and universities. Her school of choice? The University of South Florida!
Daisy is one out of only ten students across the state to receive this scholarship and could not believe the good news when Suncoast Credit Union, HEF and her mentor surprised her at school.
Students’ Award-Winning Art & Writing on Exhibition
This year, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards returned to an in-person ceremony at Blake High School to recognize 81 Gold Key recipients, 86 Silver Key recipients and 195 Honorable Mention recipients.
From the Gold Key recipients, judges selected five American Visions Nominees for art and five American Voices Nominees for writing. Two students were also named a Writing Gold Key Portfolio Winner and an Art Gold Key Portfolio Winner.
The student work is on display at The University of Tampa’s Scarfone/Hartley Gallery now through March 18. Public viewing hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.