Kindling Young Minds

Ten students at Northbrook and Spring Woods high schools were honored recently by CITGO Petroleum Corp. and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office during official launch of the 2015 “Kindling Young Minds” program at six regional high schools.

Representatives from CITGO and the Sheriff’s Office visited three public school districts – Spring Branch, Alief and Houston ISDs – to honor students of all ages who showed improvement in attendance through the fall semester.

Under the joint agency program, recognized students receive Kindle Fire tablets.

At Spring Woods High on Jan. 22, five seniors were honored and received Kindles. They were Henry Aguilar, Rogelio Bautista, Kevin Dang, April Hernandez and Christopher Rivas.

Principal Jennifer Parker shared remarks during a special event gathering at the North Gessner-area high school.

At Northbrook High on Jan. 15, the following students were honored and received Kindles: Ingrid Aguilar and Thomas Cruz, both freshmen; Victoria San Miguel, a sophomore; Linh Nguyn, a junior; and Mayra Garcia, senior.

Principal Randolph Adami spoke highly about this ongoing community program with PRNewswire earlier this month. The “Kindling Young Minds” outreach is now in its second year of operation.

“The ‘Kindling Young Minds’ program not only motivates students to improve and maintain a good attendance record, it also provides a tool to help them complete homework at home or on the go,” Northbrook High’s Adami said. “We are thankful for this partnership with CITGO and Harris County Sheriff’s Office and all that we are accomplishing together.

Other campuses included in the “Kindling Young Minds” program launch include Hastings and Alief high schools, both in Alief ISD, and Harper Alternative School and Inspired for Excellence School, both in Houston ISD.

Forty tablets were given out in January, and 60 more will be distributed closer to the end of the school year.

Daily student attendance is one key program goal. “We are very happy to see that the ‘Kindling Young Minds’ program has matured into its second year, reminding students that each day counts,” said Sheriff Adrian Garcia.

“We are very excited to revisit the schools to see how the program continues to have a positive impact on students and schools. We are proud that our partnership with CITGO has helped empower the students in Harris County to do well in school,” the county sheriff added in a prepared statement.

CITGO partners with several area ISDs in several education-related initiatives including Back to School Supply Drives. For details, visit www.CITGO.com.