Pahokee Middle School administrators, teachers and staff who hope to raise thousands of dollars to create a scholarship in memory of Cassandra and Catherine Colon received a valuable commitment from Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County, which will contribute matching money and mentors for the scholarship’s future recipients.
Cassandra and Catherine Colon died in May after a fire at their home in Pahokee. They were eighth-grade students at Pahokee Middle School.
For every $2,000 raised by Pahokee Middle School, Take Stock in Children will contribute $2,000, and through its partnership with the Florida Prepaid Foundation, will present recipients with a two year Florida Prepaid scholarship.
“Take Stock in Children understands that it takes a village, and we are committed to changing one community at a time, one family at a time, one young person at a time,” said Nancy Stellway, executive director of Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County. “The promise of a college scholarship and a better life can guide a child in the right direction, and we are honored to partner with Pahokee Middle School in memory of Cassandra and Catherine.”
Scholarship recipients will be selected in their junior year of high school. In their senior year, scholarship winners will receive a mentor and college readiness coach provided by Take Stock in Children.
The first scholarship is expected to be awarded to a member of Pahokee High School’s Class of 2019, which would have been Cassandra and Catherine Colon’s graduating class.
To donate to the scholarship in the girls’ memory, contact Pahokee Middle School at (561) 924-6500. Donations can also be mailed to the school at 850 Larrimore Road, Pahokee, FL 33476.
