Samantha Van Camp

Samantha Van Camp was selected for the Polk County Take Stock in Children scholarship and mentoring program in 2000 when she was in the 8th grade.  The program had a big impact on Sam’s life. ”As a young student, TSIC meant an opportunity to capitalize on my goals that I knew I was capable of, but did not know how to accomplish financially. Receiving a TSIC scholarship also opened the door to many other scholarships and awards which I pursued during my last years of high school to help pay for college. It gave me hope that there was a way to succeed.” Sam shared that she also appreciated her mentors care and concern for her academic endeavors and for encouraging her to do her best.

Sam excelled as a student at George Jenkins High School where she received numerous awards and scholarships in addition to her TSIC scholarship.  Sam says that her program advocate, Theresea Choquette, probably had the biggest impact on her life “because she helped me navigate all difficulties of post-secondary financing which I really appreciated.”

When Samantha contacted the Polk Education Foundation’s Executive Director, Susan Copeland, to inquire about an internship, program staff were thrilled. “Not only did we need an extra pair of hands to assist with various programs, but knew that we were getting an excellent mind as well,” says Susan Fenich, Program Coordinator for the Polk County program. During the months Samantha was an intern at the Polk Education Foundation, she served by:

• Organizing the storeroom stock and store for the Foundation’s “Free Teacher’s Market”
• Soliciting donations and help for the market
• Researching grants
• Creating a library of statistics for grant writing
• Writing and securing grants for Take Stock in Children/Polk County as well as for other Foundation programs
• Revising the “Senior” scholarship information packets, sent to all Polk County high schools
• Assisting with events

Susan added that, “Samantha’s contribution to our organization during the winter and spring of 2011 surpassed our expectations and we consider ourselves to be truly blessed as an organization for having received the benefit of her time and talent.”

Samantha has continued to pay it forward by also becoming a founding member of the Take Stock in Children Alumni Alliance.  In her role as Director of Development she has contributed by securing a grant for the Alliance.  Samantha is a shining example of a Take Stock in Children scholar and alumnus.

When asked about future plans Sam shared that she just accepted a position as a 7th grade government and geography teacher at Bartow Middle School in her home county. “I couldn’t be more excited about it,” Sam said about this opportunity.  “I have a huge passion for public education because I know it does work when done with excellence, and that is my goal as a teacher,” she added.  Sam is very excited to pour her time and energy into students who want to learn and are looking for help like she was at that age.