HOUSTON, Texas, June 4, 2019 -- CITGO Petroleum Corporation is once again providing 30 high school graduates from Spring Branch, Alief and Houston Independent School Districts (ISD) with scholarships toward degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at four-year accredited universities. As part of the STEM Talent Pipeline, ten students from each participating school district will be awarded a scholarship toward their college-level STEM education. In its fourth-straight year supporting STEM scholarships in the area, CITGO has now awarded 160 scholarships in Houston alone.
CITGO General Manager Community Relations, CSR and Legislative Affairs Larry Elizondo said there is nothing of greater importance for young people than the pursuit of education. “CITGO is beyond proud to help sponsor the higher education dreams of tomorrow’s leaders in our community,” Elizondo said. “Today's recipients are deserving of this award, as they’ve demonstrated an abundance of skill, leadership and commitment to their communities. We are honored to play a role in the next step of their education, and excited about each of their futures.”
The 2019 CITGO STEM Scholarship recipients by school district are:
Spring Branch ISD
1. Jazmin Arzate, Westchester Academy
2. Abigail Coltrin, Stratford High School
3. Nicholas Comeaux, Stratford High School
4. Madison Dunbar, Stratford High School
5. Madeline Gentil, Stratford High School
6. William Hannigan, Stratford High School
7. Rachel Harkins, Stratford High School
8. Alexandria Papin, Memorial High School
9. Andrew Plant, Stratford High School
10. Thomas Satterwhite, Stratford High School
Houston ISD
1. Mara Gaviria, Austin High School
2. Truong Nguyen, Chavez High School
3. Edwin Ortiz, Worthing High School
4. Juan Ortiz, Chavez High School
5. Yoana Pineda, Sam Houston High School
6. Anthony Rodriguez, Westside High School
7. Kianna Simmons, Waltrip High School
8. Jaqueline Valdez, Waltrip High School
9. Fabian Veleros, South Early High School
10. Erandy Zavala, Northside High School
Alief ISD
1. Joshua Alegbe, Alief Early College High School
2. Jeremy Coleman, Elsik High School
3. Saron Fissha Gberhiwot, Kerr High School
4. Chelsea Hernandez, Hastings High School
5. Cindy Huynh, Kerr High School
6. Maria Mendoza, Alief Early College High School
7. Michael Nguyen, Elsik High School
8. Melanie Pham, Alief Early College High School
9. Davin Sanchez, Alief Early College High School
10. Alaze Tatum, Hastings High School
“Congratulations to all of the recipients," added Elizondo. "CITGO has surely taken notice of what you’ve accomplished, and we look forward to supporting your development as successful young adults. If we have any luck, after graduation some of you will come join us at CITGO!”
Throughout the company's operational footprint, the CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline initiative has supported programs that promote the importance of STEM education and provide educators with the resources they need. CITGO has touched the lives of nearly 35,000 students and educators across its regions. In the Houston area, CITGO recently launched the first innovation academy in Houston at Olle Middle School. One of several innovation academies across the country, CITGO Innovation Academies encourage students and educators to explore education and career paths in STEM. Grants directed to schools support cutting-edge curriculum, resources and events rarely found in traditional classroom settings. Additionally, CITGO supported the University of Houston-Downtown Summer Camp, providing a new education module to help middle and high school students learn STEM topics in an innovative way.
About CITGO
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 45 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,500 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 4,900 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.