OGE Energy Corp. Foundation announces 2021 OG&E Positive Energy Scholars

Piedmont High School Senior Williams was surprised this week to learn he would receive $15,000 per year, which is renewable annually for up to four years, or a total of $60,000 to cover tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board. This 2021 OG&E Energy Scholar will attend the University of Oklahoma this fall.

OGE Energy Corp. Foundation awards total of $180,000 in scholarships

This week, OG&E recognized three high school seniors as its 2021 OG&E Positive Energy Scholars. Each Positive Energy Scholar will receive $15,000 per year, which is renewable annually for up to four years, or a total of $60,000 to cover tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board. 

The 2021 OG&E Positive Energy Scholars are Malcolm Williams of Piedmont High School, Franklin Aaron Alvarez Delos Santos II of Ardmore High School and Anne Shay of Deer Creek High School. Each student will attend an in-state university.

“Congratulations to Malcolm, Aaron and Anne, the 2021 OG&E Positive Energy Scholars,” said Sean Trauschke, OGE Energy Corp. chairman, president and CEO. “OG&E is proud to play a role in the continued education of students in the communities we serve. These scholarships help strengthen Oklahoma’s future workforce and empower the next generation of leaders in our state.”

Each recipient was surprised at his or her high school with a parade of OG&E’s Big Orange trucks, balloons and signs.

“Thank you, OG&E, for supporting deserving students and families through the OG&E Positive Energy Scholarship and for choosing Malcolm as a recipient this year,” said Alissa Antwine, Piedmont High School’s leadership and student council advisor. “We appreciate OG&E for providing resources to the communities in which it operates. I look forward to watching Malcolm and the other scholars continue to pursue careers in STEM.”

School teachers, administrators, mentors and members from each recipient’s community watched OG&E officials present the students with certificates from a safe distance.

OG&E Positive Energy Scholar/Ardmore High School senior Aaron Alvarez

“I’m thrilled that Aaron has been selected for this life-changing scholarship after his years of pursuing his education wholeheartedly,” said Sylena Bivens, math teacher at Ardmore High School. “We are thrilled to see OG&E invest in students like Aaron whose strong STEM skills will help lead the state forward.”

Malcolm and Aaron will attend the University of Oklahoma this fall. Anne will attend Oklahoma State University.

“Anne is an extremely humble person and hard worker. She will be successful no matter what she does because of her work ethic,” said Darby Cassady, band director at Deer Creek High School. “I’ve had her in band class since she was in sixth grade and it’s great to see her grow in the past seven years. It makes me so proud that she is rewarded for her hard work.”

Deer Creek High School Senior Anne Shay was surprised this week with the news that she was selected as one of the three OG&E Positive Energy Scholars. She will receive $15,000 per year, which is renewable annually for up to four years, or a total of $60,000 to cover tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board.

Deer Creek High School Principal Mark Phillips echoed those sentiments.

“You hear about the challenges college costs can bring. A scholarship this financially large will allow Anne to focus on the classroom aspect of her college experience as she moves forward in her academic career,” said Phillips. “To see Anne being recognized for her hard work is very special for us as a school.”

Through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, the OG&E Positive Energy Scholarship was established in 2019, focusing on students pursuing a career in an energy-related field and in need of financial aid. Eligible students must be graduating high school seniors from the OG&E service area (Oklahoma, western Arkansas); attend a college in the states of Oklahoma or Arkansas; have an unweighted GPA greater than or equal to 3.25; and receive an ACT score of greater than or equal to 25 and/or SAT score greater than or equal to 1200.

“We could not be prouder of the role we play in OG&E’s scholarship program,” said Nancy Anthony, president of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. “Support for youth and education in our communities is at the core of both of our organizations’ values, and we are grateful to be part of the OG&E scholarship program.”

Since 2016, OGE Energy Corp. has provided more than $1.9 million to fund scholarships for students in the OG&E service area.