NICEVILLE, Fla. — The Okaloosa County School District is calling on local residents to become mentors for area high school students through the Take Stock in Children (TSIC) program during the 2025–2026 school year.
The district says mentors are especially needed for students in grades 9 through 11, and that volunteers can make a lasting difference in students’ academic progress, confidence, and life direction.
“We invite community members to search their hearts and consider giving just a small portion of their time to invest in a student’s future,” said Lori Lipnicky, College Success Coach for the Okaloosa County TSIC program.
“Mentoring changes lives—and not just for the student.”
To become a mentor, individuals must complete an online application, undergo a background check and fingerprinting through the school district, and attend a one- to two-hour training session scheduled for August.
Mentors meet with their assigned student at school for at least 15 sessions throughout the year, about 30 minutes every other week. TSIC provides each mentor with training materials and discussion guides to support the meetings.
Mentors also log visits and communicate safely with students using a secure mobile app provided by the program.
Anyone interested in becoming a mentor or learning more can visit the statewide Take Stock in Children website at https://www.takestockinchildren.org/mentors/.
The district encourages individuals, businesses, civic groups, and community leaders to consider participating or sharing the opportunity with others.
