Chasing Her Dreams | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

Interlachen senior wins $40K college scholarship

Take Stock in Children mentor Wendy Hansford hugs Williams after the student found out she won the prize.
Interlachen Junior-Senior High School student Sidney Williams reflects Monday on winning a $40,000 scholarship to go to college.
Interlachen High senior Sidney Williams hugs her mom, Ashely Cassels, on Monday.
Positively Putnam FL

Sidney Williams, a 16-year-old Interlachen Junior-Senior High School senior, dreams of going to Florida State University to double major in criminal justice and chemistry.

Just over one month ago, she became one of 12 state finalists eligible to win a four-year fellowship that provides $10,000 each year to students who attend a public Florida university.

This week, Williams went from merely hoping to achieving the opportunity.

“I’ve been thinking about it nonstop,” she said after finding out she won. “Whenever I found out I was a finalist that’s basically all that’s been in my head. I’m super excited about it.”

When she was greeted Monday at her Interlachen classroom by Putnam County School District Officials, representatives from the Take Stock in Children program and her family members. Williams’ face changed from surprised to a bright smile as she learned the news for the first time.

“You are an Asofsky Foundation Leader for Life,” Wendy Hansford, William’s mentor in the Take Stock program, told the senior Monday. “Congratulations.”

Cheers and claps bounced off the classroom walls after Williams found out she was one step closer to achieving her dreams.

Her mother, Ashely Cassels, said “it’s awesome” knowing her daughter has this opportunity if she gets accepted into FSU. Without the fellowship, Williams wouldn’t have the financial ability to attend the school.

“She wouldn’t really be able to choose a school that was away from home,” Cassels said. “I’m very proud of her.”

The nonprofit program, Take Stock, partners students who come from low-income families with mentors to help them succeed in their academic careers. The students graduate with a two-year prepaid scholarship for an in-state school. However, the scholarship does not take care of all of a students’ college expenses and this fellowship will cover more of Williams’ academic finances.

Hansford said the Take Stock officials looked for students who show leadership, hard work and community involvement.

Williams, who is graduating high school one year early, has a 4.4 GPA and is a full-time, dual-enrollment student at Santa Fe College, Hansford told the crowd Monday. Williams also plays three varsity sports – weightlifting, volleyball and soccer, while juggling school.

“It’s amazing that she can do all that and still have the positive spirit and encouragement to help her teammates and her classmates, her peers at church, everywhere,” Hansford said.

“We just love her compassion for others and her academics and she’s gonna do great things in life.”