Seminole High senior, Ja’nasia Mangum, shines bright as a leader and student. Her contagious smile and can-do attitude make her a welcome asset as the school’s Student Body President and Varsity Softball Team Captain. In addition, she is an active member of the National Honor Society, the Pharmacy Tech Track of the Health Academy, Black Student Union, and Student Athletic Trainers.

Her above and beyond involvement paved the way for her being named as a 2022 Leader For Life Fellow, a program of TSIC. This prestigious award provides funding for college-related costs beyond tuition, a new laptop, and ongoing support from a network of leaders statewide.

"From test-taking strategies and how to budget to applying for FAFSA and receiving scholarships, TSIC gives me the tools I needed to succeed in the classroom and in life. Also, my mentor is one of a kind. She’s funny, smart, and keeps me accountable,” Ja’nasia says.

When not at school or volunteering, Ja’nasia works at Publix. She would love to attend Florida State University or the University of Central Florida to receive her bachelor of science in nursing and then become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

Lindsay Feist signed on as a mentor four years ago after reading about the program on social media. She was drawn by the opportunity to give back to our community. “I was so lucky to have some of the most amazing coaches and SCPS school staff through my school years. It feels good to be able to pay that forward to someone else,” she says.

Reflecting on the growth of her relationship with Anna over the past four years, Lindsay recalls the importance of letting the student lead. She shares, “Those first few sessions can be intimidating for both of you, but if you're there to support and listen, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how quickly the relationship and trust builds. I found that 30-minute sessions soon felt too short to cover all that's happened in a week.”

Lindsay is quick to praise her mentee. “Anna has great optimism. She impresses me with how she has handled adversity with grace. She is an incredibly hard worker, wise beyond her years, and has navigated high school beautifully. I cannot wait to watch her walk across that stage to accept her diploma in May.”

Trevor Cardini earned a degree in Business Marketing from UCF after graduating from Lake Howell High in 2017. He credits TSIC with helping him look beyond high school and letting him make plans for college without all the financial stress. “Take Stock played a significant role in helping me set myself up for success in the future,” he says.

He recently accepted a job with an Orlando-based digital marketing company called Launch That. He was drawn by the way the company coaches and supports its employees. “I am very glad that I am starting my career journey here. I eventually want to move into social media/digital marketing in sports, preferably soccer,” he says.

Although Trevor’s Take Stock Mentor passed away in 2019, he remembers him fondly. “My mentor, Frederic Krueger, was a very popular figure in Oviedo and one of the nicest people I had ever met. The chats we had while I was in high school, and even after I graduated, really helped take some of the stress out of my everyday activities. It was like catching up with an old friend who had so many great stories to tell.”