Jason Project Graduate Awarded Scholarship

Fred Corrales received a $5,000 scholarship from Cat Lift Trucks during a private reception at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ on Friday, March 11, 2016.  Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc.

A Northbrook High School senior who was one of the first Spring Branch ISD students to travel the Aegean Sea on a research ship as part of The Jason Project has won a $5,000 corporate scholarship.

The CAT® Lift Trucks Scholarship was awarded to senior Fredy Corrales, who plans to study engineering at Texas A&M University. Cat Lift Trucks offers the annual scholarship to a regional student based on academic performance, financial need, leadership, extracurricular activities and community involvement.

Corrales received the $5,000 CAT scholarship at a special awards reception held on March 11 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Singer and rhythm Darius Rucker performed.

“For over a decade, Cat Lift Trucks has provided this scholarship to exemplary students and leaders of tomorrow,” said Kent Eudy, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Cat Lift Trucks, in a press release. “Today, we continue this tradition by presenting this award to Fredy Corrales for his exceptional leadership and contributions to our local community.”

A Northbrook High senior, Corrales was also honored with the District Medal of Recognition for his work on The Jason Project, a nonprofit group which connects students to real science and exploration and promotes study and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

In 2012, Corrales spent several days on the Aegean Sea aboard the exploration and research ship “Nautilus,” sponsored by Dr. Robert Ballard, a scientist credited with finding the remains of the famous Titanic ocean liner on the sea floor. Corrales was joined in the district’s Jason Project expedition by Allie Eggert, who is a Memorial High senior. She will attend Rice University in the fall.

During his career at Northbrook High, Corrales has excelled in academic and local community pursuits. He ranks in the top 10 percent of his graduation class and had a GPA of 6.146. A National Honor Society member, he also plays in Northbrook’s orchestra and takes part in the school’s popular Collegiate Challenge program.

“Fredy is a highly accomplished, but quite humble student,” said Northbrook High counselor Emilio Gonzalez, who helped him submit a scholarship application. “He didn’t tell people about the [CAT] scholarship until the day it was awarded. He did not want others to think that he was focusing attention on himself.”

“Fredy feels an obligation to further his own education to help out his mother and his family, and to thank them by doing this,” Gonzalez  also said.

Cat Lift Trucks has served as the official Lift Truck Provider at the Houston Rodeo for 12 years. During the same period, the company has funded more than $100,000 in student scholarships.

Cat Lift Trucks are manufactured and distributed by Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA), which distributes forklifts across North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.