Featured Story: Alisha Scussell & Mentor Pauline Kawchak

When asked, Alisha said she always wanted to go to college; she doesn’t know who planted that idea in her mind, she just knew it was always there. She has lived all her life in rural Nassau County with her parents, an older brother and sister, and a younger brother with special needs. Her stay-at-home Mom left school in 8th grade and her father works hard as a driver hauling timber. Alisha loves school and loves learning. In 8th grade, she jumped at the chance to apply Take Stock in Children because she knew it was her ticket to college. Alisha graduated with a 3.9 gpa and 21 Dual Enrollment college credits. She was Senior Class President, Beta Club President, Most Outstanding Senior, Band Captain and participated in Youth Leadership Nassau. She is attending Florida State College at Jacksonville with an interest in Mathematics or Business while working full-time at Winn-Dixie.