- April 26, 2024
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Flagler Palm Coast High School administrators Chris Tincher, Althia Thompson, Nick Schell, Mandy Kraverotis, Principal Bobby Bossardet and Stacia Collier pose for a photo at the 2024 Flagler County Education Foundation's Mardi Gras Gala. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mardi Gras 2024 King and Queen Ron and Diana Tortelli, with Flagler County Education Executive Director Teresa Rizzo. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Jacki and Brian Unger, longtime supporters of the Flagler County Education Foundation, announced that they will be donating $1,000 for extra college expenses to each Flagler County Take Stock in Children graduate this year. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Ryan Deising, Flagler Schools' chief of technology and innovation, and Khanh-Lien Banko, treasurer of the Flagler County Education Foundation's Board of Directors. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Vicki Tiehen, secretary of the Flagler County Education Foundation's Board of Directors, and her husband, Todd Tiehen, criminal justice instructor at Daytona State College. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Flagler County School Board Chair Will Furry with his wife, Jamie Furry. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mardi Gras committee members Kelly Pickering and Abby Baker. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Flagler County School Board member Colleen Conklin with Curtis Kline, director of the ICI Center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore, Flagler Palm Coast Assistant Principal Althia Thompson and FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Ron and Diana Tortelli have mentored students in the Take Stock in Children program for 12 to 13 years. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mardi Gras goers received an allotment of play money to "gamble" with. Chips were exchanged for tickets that went into raffle baskets. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Teresa Rizzo, Flagler County Education Foundation's executive director, said she was overjoyed at the number of people who turned out for the foundation’s 20th annual Mardi Gras Gala on Feb. 13 at Grand Haven Club.
The foundation’s goal was to raise $40,000 for the Take Stock in Children program and the foundation’s Senior Scholarship Drive By and Surprise program. But Rizzo said they surpassed that goal, raising about $50,000.
“I am overjoyed with the amount of people that are here from the community, different corners of the community and our school system as well, to support this program,” Rizzo said. “We have a lot of school support here, which is because of (Flagler Schools Superintendent) LaShakia Moore. She has shown support for the Education Foundation like I haven't seen since (former Superintendent) Jacob Oliva. And she sets that precedent. I am just so thrilled to have her as our superintendent and work with her.”
The Take Stock in Children program helps to break the cycle of poverty through education by providing a mentor for students throughout their high school years and giving them an opportunity for a four-year tuition-paid scholarship at a state college or university. The state matches all the funds the Ed Foundation raises for the program.
“It's really important that we can raise some money to be able to take these students on field trips,” Rizzo said. “We can provide workshops and food for them during those workshops and resources for college going forward.”
Brian and Jacki Unger, longtime philanthropists and Flagler Ed Foundation supporters, announced that they will donate $1,000 to every Flagler County Take Stock in Children graduate this year to help with their college expenses after tuition.
Ron and Diana Tortelli were named King and Queen of the 20th Mardi Gras Gala. Ron is a member of the Ed Foundation’s Board of Directors and he and Diana are longtime Take Stock in Children mentors.
“I’ve mentored four young ladies over 12 or 13 years,” Diana Tortelli said. “The first one is in her third year in med school now.”
“I’m proud to be a part of the (Ed Foundation) organization,” Ron Tortelli said. “It continues to get better with the Stuff Bus (which provides essential supplies and clothing to students and families) and (the Beaver Toyota Fund-a-Project) Teacher Grants.
“And the number of successes coming out of the mentoring program is fantastic.”
