Council of the Great City Schools Announces Math and Science Scholars

The Council of Great City Schools has named four high school graduates as the inaugural winners of the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships. The awards are given annually to four students, two African American and two Hispanic, residing in the largest urban school districts in America, to encourage their pursuit of technology-related degrees.

The scholarships are named after former NASA astronaut, Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., who came from humble beginnings to become the first African American to walk in space, a physician and businessman. The winners were selected from more than 400 applicants and are being awarded on their academic successes and future plans as well as their leadership and civic responsibility.

Sarah Edris from Dallas, Texas, Leangelo Hall from Homestead, Florida, Anthony Miller from Lutz, Florida, and Laura Montoya from Albuquerque, New Mexico, will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to continue their education in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

"ExxonMobil is pleased to join with the Council of the Great City Schools to create these scholarships to honor Dr. Harris and his legacy as a positive role model,” said ExxonMobil Foundation president Suzanne McCarron. "By recognizing these bright students, we are helping to pave the way for young people to discover that math and science are the keys to their future.”

Ms. Edris, a recent graduate of The School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas Independent School District, plans to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology to major in computer science. Ms. Edris is also involved in National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Academic Decathlon.

Mr. Hall has been accepted to Princeton University with a career goal of pediatric neurosurgery. He attended Coral Reef Senior High in Miami-Dade County schools. In addition to his school activities, Mr. Hall has participated in a number of fund-raising efforts along with tutoring elementary students and serving as captain of his tennis team.

A graduate of Sickles High School in Hillsborough County schools in Florida, Mr. Miller will be attending University of Florida to pursue aerospace engineering. His extra-curricular involvement included Engineering Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, math tutor, Science Bowl and varsity golf.

As a chemical engineering major, Ms. Montoya will start New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology this fall. She graduated from Sandia High School in Albuquerque Public Schools. Ms. Montoya was active in Science Olympiad, Chemistry Club and Science Fair as well as a student internship at Sandia National Laboratory and vice president of Key Club.

"We are proud of the winners of this highly competitive scholarship program," said Council Executive Director Michael Casserly. "These young men and women will be able to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow thanks to the generous support of ExxonMobil and the encouragement of Dr. Harris.”

Administration of the scholarship program, including the application process, selection and presentation of awards, is provided by The Council of the Great City Schools. Students from member districts of the Council of the Great City Schools are eligible to apply. Applications are announced in the fall through counselors of member districts with scholarships awarded in the summer.

About The Council of the Great City Schools

The Council of the Great City Schools is the only national organization exclusively representing the needs of urban public schools. Composed of 65 large city school districts, its mission is to promote the cause of urban schools and to advocate for inner-city students through legislation, research and media relations. The organization also provides a network for school districts sharing common problems to exchange information, and to collectively address new challenges as they emerge in order to deliver the best possible education for urban youth. www.cgcs.org

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil is the world's largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, providing energy that helps underpin growing economies and improve living standards around the world. ExxonMobil also engages in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels. Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2009, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $235 million in contributions worldwide, of which more than $98 million was dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.

About The Harris Foundation

Founded in 1998, The Harris Foundation is a 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization based in Houston, Texas, whose overall mission is to invest in community-based initiatives to support education, health and wealth. The foundation supports programs that empower individuals, in particular minorities and economically and/or socially disadvantaged, to recognize their potential and pursue their dreams. The Education Mission of the Harris Foundation is to enable youth to develop and achieve their full potential through the support of social, recreational, and educational programs for grades K-12. Through three primary initiatives—The DREAM Tour, the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp and Dare to Dream—the foundation encourages math and science education, motivates youth to stay in school, fosters youth leadership and citizenship, as well as instills the values of responsibility, fairness and respect.

The Harris Foundation believes that students can be prepared now for the careers of the future through a structured education program and the use of positive role models. More than 10,000 students participate and benefit from THF programs annually. www.theharrisfoundation.org