Foundation, Pettitte Recognize Scholarship Recipients

PASADENA, Texas, Oct. 28 -- San Jacinto College issued the following news release:

Helping students succeed in reaching their goals is at the core of what the San Jacinto College (SJC) Foundationhttp://www.sanjacfoundation.org/) does each and every day. That mission was on full display Thursday, Oct. 20, as the Foundation hosted its 16th annual golf tournament and reception with guest host Andy Pettitte.

The tournament teed off at 7:15 a.m., with more than 60 teams participating in the two daytime rounds. Prizes were awarded for longest drive, closest to the pin, and the top three teams in each flight in each round. Major sponsors of the tournament included Coca Cola; Shell Deer Park; SpawGlass Construction Corp.; Tellepsen Builders; Constellation Energy; Haworth Furniture Marketing; and McGriff, Seibels, and Williams. Other sponsors were Andrews Kurth, LLP; Durotech General Contractors; J.E. Dunn Construction; Rizzo & Associates; Chick-fil-A; Mr. Danny J. Snooks, attorney; Outback Steakhouse; Joy Niday; Alpha Electric; Construction Masters; Sunbelt Rentals; Barmore Insurance; and A.C. Collins Ford.

The evening reception featured a live and silent auction, as well as a scholarship auction. This event was the first in Houston to use the text bidding system offered by Silent Auction Services. However, the highlight of the night was the recognition of the three recipients of the Andy Pettitte Endowed Scholarship, and a few words from the first-ever recipient of the scholarship. This year's honorees were Marlena Ficklen, Nataly Garcia, and Eva Alvarez.

Ficklen received the Andy Pettitte scholarship for the Fall 2011 semester. She is a general studies major at San Jacinto College, and is a new member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She has been accepted to the University of Houston - Clear Lake, where she plans to study behavioral sciences. "There are a few reasons I'm going back to school," she said. "The most important reason is to show my kids how important an education is, and that it is never too late."

Garcia received the Andy Pettitte scholarship for the Spring 2012 term. She is working on her prerequisites with plans to apply for the SJC nursing program. She said, "It is an honor to be awarded a scholarship. This money will greatly contribute to my education, and for that I am forever thankful."

Alvarez is studying chemistry and plans to graduate next Fall. The Andy Pettitte scholarship was awarded to her for the Fall 2011 semester. She is in the Honors program at San Jacinto College, and serves as vice president of the student organization, The Vyne. Alvarez thanked Pettitte for the donation, adding "I greatly appreciate it."

The 16th Annual San Jacinto College Foundation Golf Tournament and Reception, with Guest Host Andy Pettitte, raised nearly $130,000 for student scholarships and student success initiatives. The live auction, which included a scholarship auction, and the silent auction, raised $55,000. For the second consecutive year, Mr. and Mrs. Roy D. and Sue Mease of Pasadena, donated a $25,000 scholarship in honor of their son, Kipper Mease.

"I can't say thank you enough to the San Jacinto College community for their continued support in raising funds for student scholarships," said Ruth Keenan, executive director for the San Jacinto College Foundation. "Every dollar invested in our students is an investment in our community. San Jacinto College produces future leaders, and a talented and skilled workforce. We had a fun day, and are very grateful for the support. This will help transform the lives of many students."

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