BY CLIFF SMELLEY
A source of light.
For Bradford County students every year, that’s exactly what Bradford Community for Schools’ Take Stock in Children is: a source of light.
That light was especially bright in the 2024-25 school year as the Bradford program received Take Stock in Children’s Luminary Award.
It was the Bradford program’s first-ever time receiving the award.
“This is a big deal,” Bradford Community for Schools Executive Director Cindy DeValerio told local Take Stock in Children staff on Oct. 27. She added, “This is their highest award that you can receive.”
Take Stock in Children affiliates are evaluated every year on pillars of student success, which considers such criteria as mentoring, college readiness, compliance and data, and Take Stock in Children standards.
A Luminary Award means an affiliate not only achieved an A rating, but that it also received perfect scores on pillars of student success.
DeValerio said it was quite an accomplishment to receive a Luminary Award after a “challenging year” due to staff changes. She noted that the success of Take Stock in Children is a team effort, but she thanked College Success Coach Candace Osteen in particular for her efforts. In presenting the award to Osteen, DeValerio said, “Candace, you have shone so brightly through all of the challenges.”
Then, to the rest of the Take Stock in Children team, DeValerio said, “Let’s keep doing what we’re doing.”
The Luminary Award was one of two awards the Bradford program received. It also earned a Gold-Level Award, which it has received multiple times in the past.
Take Stock in Children pairs students with adult mentors, with that mentor relationship idealistically lasting from sixth grade through graduation. Students who successfully go through the program, maintaining a specified minimum grade-point average, avoiding major disciplinary issues and keeping absences to a minimum, receive two-year college scholarships.
As part of a July 31, 2025, Telegraph-Times-Monitor story, DeValerio and Osteen shared their thoughts on the Take Stock in Children program through a statement they jointly composed: “Take Stock in Children scholarships open doors for students in rural communities by removing financial and social barriers that often limit their access to higher education. These scholarships provide more than just college tuition, and they come with mentorship, academic support and a clear pathway to success.
“For students in rural areas, where resources can be limited, and college may seem out of reach, Take Stock offers hope, guidance and the tangible means to pursue a college degree. This not only increases their chances of achieving well-paying careers, but also empowers them to break generational barriers, become leaders in their communities and inspire others to aim higher.”
Take Stock in Children is always in need of mentors. If you’re interested, please email DeValerio at [email protected] or Linda Bennett at [email protected].
