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Hundreds of kids and their parents were at the state capitol Tuesday to celebrate a one million dollar gift to the Take Stock in Children Foundation. The organization provides college scholarships to needy middle school students, but only after they keep a pledge to do well in school and stay out of trouble. Pasco County 8th grader Mario Martinez has no doubt he’ll keep the pledge he made last year.

“I’m supposed to get good grades; stay drug free and tobacco free, and in return we get a scholarship.”

The one million dollar check came from the Helios Foundation, which promotes educational initiatives.