Career and Technical Education Scholarship Winners

Eleven students from the Guthrie Center and four Spring Branch ISD high schools received scholarships for outstanding work from businesses and partnerships at the Guthrie Center on April 10. The Career and Technical Education Luncheon included a gourmet meal prepared and served by students in the center’s Culinary Arts program.

Scholarships of $1,000 were awarded to Academy of Finance and Academy of Hospitality & Tourism students.

They are dedicated to Peter DeLongchamps, Group 1 Automotive vice president for financial services and manufacturer relations, for his successful career and contributions to the automotive financial industry.

The $2,000 First Community Credit Union award is given to the an Academy of Finance (AOF) student who has made significant contributions to his or her local AOF chapter.

Consideration is given to leadership, scholarship, attendance, attitude, community service and future business career goals.

Memorial High School Recipients

Samantha Moon – Career and Technical Education scholarship, $1,000

“When defining the ideal agricultural sciences student, or any student for that matter, it would simply require a photograph of Samantha Moon.

Sami shows many of the characteristics that a model student as well as a model citizen should posses; she simply craves to make our community better than where she previously left it.

She shows consciousness and humanity when working with her animal projects and thrives on learning both the physiology and behavioral aspects of all living things around her; never settling for good enough.

This quality, along with her impeccable leadership attributes when working solely as well as in a group, have made her an immeasurable asset to the Spring Branch FFA chapter.

Moreover, her communication skills have equally positively impacted our chapter and community by exemplifying to community members the “product” of an SBISD education as well as education our future agriculturalists that will succeed her. She is simply an amazing individual that I feel blessed to have been a part of her journey.

Educators can simply only hope to have a few “Sami’s” in their careers. Sami has aspirations of attending veterinary school and I undoubtedly know that she will be successful in that venture as well as become a leader in the veterinary science field,“ teachers Jane Primrose and Christy Capps said.

Rachel Moore – Academy of Finance scholarship, $1,000

“Rachel Moore is set apart by her outstanding GPA of 6.5833 and her diligent attention to getting her assignments completed. Rachel has been involved with many extracurricular activities that have included Academy of Finance, soccer, Student Council, Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Charity League and the Memorial High School spirit clubs.

She has also donated her time volunteering on community service projects such as initiating a neighborhood food drive for Fair haven Food Pantry and working with Memorial Assistance ministry and the Parish School.

Rachel received the Distinguished Honor Roll Award in 2009 and the Geometry Pre-AP Mathematics Award in 2009. She had an excellent summer internship at CB Richard Ellis. She attended the Academy of Finance NYC trip.

Rachel was accepted at the University of Virginia and University of Texas at Austin, but is currently waiting on acceptance at other universities before she makes her final decision. I take pleasure in knowing that whatever Rachel peruses in the future she will give her full effort to and do an outstanding job,” teachers Lori Baker and Richard Ruez said.

Northbrook High School Recipients

Alex Snook – The Art Institute Scholarship, $5,000

“We call Alex “Little Miss Sunshine” because of the sweet endearing light she has brought into our program. There are actually many ways to describe this young lady that reveal the joy and happiness she has shared with us all.

As a freshman walking in the door, Alex exuded an attitude of excitement and fascination that she was given the opportunity to study culinary arts while in high school. She was ready to work and work she did.

Alex felt like everyone should be as grateful as she was to have this amazing opportunity. Through four years she has grown and developed her skills and never shied away from helping anyone at any time. She is nurturing, kind, firm, and sometimes motherly to her classmates.

There has never been anyone Alex was not ready and willing to work with. Her dreams of attending culinary school and pursuing her Professional career are falling into place. She took full advantage of this unique opportunity and we send her to culinary school equipped to succeed.

Her dreams are achievable and we could not be more proud. She will be missed, but we will speak of her accomplishments as we embrace students who share her dream. We will tell her story for years to come. She is planning on attending The Art Institute, getting a degree in culinary arts,” teachers Jennifer Cardenas and Erin Land said.

Lucero Gonzalez – Joan Vastola Scholarship, $500

“Lucero Gonzalez is in the top ten percent of her class, participates in multiple supportive pursuits in volunteering, competing, representing Northbrook and the Guthrie Center in a highly commended fashion.

She participated in District 8 Skills USA Competitions and obtained 1st place in 3D Acrylic Nail Art and 3rd Place in Prepared Speech. While maintain outstanding scholarly values, she has tutored kids at Edgewood Elementary, worked with Rebuilding Houston painting homes, and cooked at Turning Point for the elderly.

She is a member of the Childress Foundation, National Honor Society, Honor Roll and National Technical Honor Society. After High School Lucero plans to continue her college education with a major in human service psychology and a minor in technical engineering,” teacher Betty Franklin said.

Springwoods High School Recipients

Damian Benavidez – Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship, $1,000

“Throughout his high school career, Damian Benavidez has focused on a technical education path that will lead him to someday becoming a chef of his own fine dining restaurant.

From the Baking and Pastry practicum, to Chef Training practicum, to Restaurant Management practicum and to Hospitality Services practicum, Damian exhibited his passion for the industry.

As an intern in the Guthrie Center Café and at the Omi Houston Hotel Westside, he has demonstrated professionalism and excellent customer service.

He will be attending Houston Community College in the fall, and hopes to work towards gaining a degree in Hotel and Restaurant management from the Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston,” teacher Lorraine Hamilton said.

Jordan Jump – Career and Technical Education Scholarship, $1,000

“Jordan Jump is the “go-to” guy. He’s the guy you want on speed dial and several people do, including principals. He has this innate talent for knowing when an individual needs assistance.

Time after time and without hesitation, he jumps in to help his teachers, fellow students and evens strangers. Jordan has been blessed with an incredible work ethic.

His extracurricular activities are solid with his active participation as Technical Director/Scenic Designer of the Varsity Technical Theater,, as a swimmer on the Spring Woods Varsity Swim Team, as Secretary of National Technical Honor Society and active participation in Class of 2013 leadership Group, UP Leadership Conference, and a member of Organization of Student Architects (OSA).

He also regularly volunteers at Houston Food Bank, Tallowood Baptist Church, Shadow Oaks Recreation Association, for former Council Member Brenda Stardig and Spring Woods High School Thespians.

He is also held down part time employment with Shadow Oaks recreation Association as pool manager, Sky High Sports, and St. Francis Episcopal Church while attending school. His GPA of 6.3 on a 6.5 scale only accentuates his academic abilities.

He has received high school honors such as 2012 Texas Thespian State Show, Lighting Chief, SWHS Academic Achievement Award, Most Improved varsity swimmer and the Principal’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Jordan hopes to attend Texas A&M University and earn a major in industrial engineering,” teacher Sonia Greiner said.

Adam Tutt – Academy of Finance Scholarship, $1,000

Adam is an excellent student with big ideas and big ambitions!

As a senior, he founded a new student organization at Spring Woods that partners seniors and freshmen in mentoring relationships, was one of the founding members of Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS), and served as president of Spring Woods’ Senior Men.

Adam is also active in his church and has participated in a mission trip that he says, “insures that I would never take what I have for granted and will give to those in need when possible.”

Working in his Academy of Finance internship at the engineering firm Hamilton gave him the opportunity to explore every area of that company and learn what it takes to create and run a successful business in the oil and gas industry.

He knows that’s what he wants to do with his future. Adam will begin his business studies at Blinn College, and transfer to Texas A&M at his earliest opportunity,” teacher Lisa Slattery said.

Stratford High School Recipients

Anna Chong – Academy of Finance Scholarship, $2000

“Intelligent, kind and confident are just a few words to describe this remarkable young lady. She is a hard-worker who is always willing to accept new challenges.

She has a great aptitude for the field of business and has proven that with the many awards she has received through Business Professionals of America. Anna had the opportunity to work in the family business—BAW Enterprises. This company provides clothing for sports teams and schools as well as casual clothing wear.

While working in the accounting department, Anna’s duties included cataloging and organizing stock information and taking online web orders. The highlight of her internship was attending the ASI Trade Show in Chicago, IL.

You can always find Anna with a smile on her face. She has a great work ethic and is willing to help others in whatever needs to be done. Whether in a classroom or being the drum major in front of the band, Anna is a natural leader.

Lydia Sweet – Family Village Practice Scholarship, $2500

“Lydia Sweet is a young lady with a dream. Her dream is to study medicine and one day have an advanced degree in genetics or pathology.

As Lydia has made her way through high school, she never lost sight of her dreams. She is an academic wonder that will quickly rise to the top in a collegiate arena.

Lydia has been part of Stratford’s award-wining orchestra and band programs, an active member of her church Altar Guild, volunteering with Project C.U.R.E and West Houston Assistance Ministries.

She is a young lady that gives back to others. Quoting her, ’the world is full of issues that one person can’t resolve, but sometimes just one act of kindness can have a major impact on another person’s life.

I have never regretted the time I spent helping others have a better life.” Lydia plans on attending the University of Washington and majoring in microbiology,” teacher Sean Plake said.

Travis Hanes – Academy of Finance Scholarship, $1,000

“Determination, focus and a great work ethic are a few qualities that describe this incredible young man. Travis Hanes is a true gentleman who leads by example. In addition, he plans on playing football for the Horn Frogs. Not only is he a great leader on the football field but in the classroom as well.

Travis worked at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church this past summer for his Academy of Finance Internship. The main project he focused on was the annual mission trip the high school kids take each summer.

His responsibilities included handling the budget allocations for mission trips, counting supplies, organizing paperwork and smoking briskets for the homeless! He is the first one to volunteer to help whatever job needs to be done.

His drive to excel and be the best he can be is so prevalent in all that he does. With this undying commitment to obtain his goals he will truly be successful. Something Travis always lives by, ‘It’s never the right time to do the wrong thing, and never the wrong time to do the right thing.’

He is pursuing his dreams of majoring in business at Texas Christian University this fall,” teachers Mary Jackson and Kristy Schaper said.

Jeremy Dyer -- Guthrie and Westchester Academy for International Studies

Jeremy arrived at the Guthrie Center Culinary Program as a freshman and has remained a strong force in culinary classes through high school.

While Jeremy is academically advanced, his creativity and love of food and the science of working with it has propelled him into a future that few may have imagined.

We have no doubt that he will make advances in the research and understanding of what makes food appetizing and interesting. He plans to attend the University of Houston, where he will pursue a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

-- Scholarship information compiled by Communications Dept. intern Kali Venable.