About Leaders for Life

What is Leaders For Life?

The mission of the Leaders for Life (L4L) fellowship program is to enable highly motivated Take Stock in Children scholars that have demonstrated strong leadership skills, moral character, and academic success, to excel in a university environment by providing them with the tools and resources necessary to empower them to develop to their fullest potential. The ultimate goal of the program is to eliminate the financial burdens normally associated with a university education and allow the fellows to devote one hundred percent of their attention to their studies and personal development.

100% of L4L fellows in the classes of 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 have graduated college.

Each year, more than 100 of Take Stock in Children’s top students from across Florida apply for the L4L fellowship program. Following a highly competitive selection process, only six high school seniors are chosen for this prestigious honor that enables these well-rounded academics to obtain resources for postsecondary success. Another eight students are selected as L4L fellowship program semi-finalists and receive a MacBook Pro to bolster their achievements both in and out of the classroom.

58 L4L fellows have been awarded since the program’s inception.

L4L is sponsored by the Asofsky Family Foundation in partnership with Take Stock in Children.

The L4L fellowship provides funds for housing, meal plans, computers, books, supplies, and all other college-related expenses, leadership training and internship opportunities.

L4L fellows have worked and interned at the following companies: Google; BlackRock Capital; Bank of America; Deloitte & Touche; Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, FL; Ashland Technologies; MB Media & Designs; Verizon; Microsoft; Honeywell; Wells Fargo; Universal; Chevron; and Boeing.

L4L fellowships are awarded at Take Stock in Children’s annual state conference in Tallahassee, FL.

Meet the 2020 Leaders for Life Fellows

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In the above video, Take Stock in Children’s 2020 Leaders for Life fellows share how this program has had a dramatic impact on their lives.

Learn More About This Year's Class

Where Are They Now?

Angela Alford

2011 Leaders for Life Fellow

Graduate Education: University of Southern Mississippi - Class of 2018
Florida State University - Class of 2016
Okaloosa County

“I graduated from Florida State University with my bachelor's degree in August 2015 and have recently graduated with a Master’s Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi." Angela achieved her dream of working with military families at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. She works with the Suicide Prevention and Mental Health department at the VA center.

Esther Benette

2013 Leaders for Life Fellow

Graduate Education: Florida State University
Florida State University - Class of 2016
Palm Beach County

“I'm currently teaching Algebra I and Geometry at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, FL, and enjoying the experience. In the near future, I'll be pursuing a master's degree in educational leadership.”

Daniel Pierce

2012 Leaders for Life Fellow

Graduate Education: Florida State University, College of Medicine
Florida State University - Class of 2016
Escambia County

"I’m in the process of finishing my first year of medical school at the FSU College of Medicine. This summer, I will be working in Fairhope, AL with a pediatrician before going to Air Force officer training in Montgomery.”

Ha Tran

2011 Leaders for Life Fellow

Graduate Education: Florida International University, College of Medicine
Duke University
Santa Rosa County

“I’m currently in my second year of medical school--and enjoying the roller coaster ride! Outside the classroom, I conduct research to examine cerebrovascular complications associated with synthetic drug use. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work alongside physicians and educators in developing countries to improve healthcare access and enhance medical education. I hope to continue this line of work throughout my own medical career.”

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L4L in Pictures

2015 L4L Summer Institute, Jacksonville, FL. Fellows visited Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.

2016 L4L Summer Institute in Broward County, FL. The fellows return from an airboat ride to learn about the Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park.

Mary Green, 2016 L4L fellow, at a reception with Dr. Elizabeth Swann from Nova Southeastern University and Mark Asofsky.

2012 L4L Fellow Vanessa Colchado and 2013 L4L Fellow Katty Pierre-Charles catch up with Raquel Martinez and GiGi Graves at Pier 66 in Ft. Lauderdale during a reception celebrating another successful Summer Institute.

Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, CEO of the Urban League of Broward County, speaks to the L4L fellows during a Summer Institute.

2013 L4L Fellow Wade McDonald and 2016 L4L Fellow Paisley Greer mingle with guests at a reception.

Deborah Baker, Ph.D. from the University of North Florida takes a photo with L4L fellows following a workshop on personalities, communication, and college life.

L4L fellows visit EverBank Field, home of the NFL Jaguar football team, and listen to Bill McConnell, general manager for SMG, on the magnitude of running a professional football stadium.

Jerry Gladstone, best selling author of “The Common Thread,” poses with L4L fellows following a workshop on success and perseverance.

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