LOS ANGELES, June 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California
Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced the 2021 SoCalGas Scholarship
recipients. This year, 56 students from Central and Southern California will receive a share of
the more than $235,000 in college
scholarships. Students who plan to attend a community college or
trade school were awarded $1,000
scholarships and those who plan to attend a four-year college or
university were awarded $5,000
scholarships. Recipients were evaluated on their academic
achievements, community involvement and a personal statement
regarding California's clean
energy future.
Since the program's inception in 2001, the utility has awarded
over $2.9 million in scholarships to
more than 2,270 students. Students majoring in science, technology,
engineering, math (STEM), accounting and finance are given
priority. This year, 86% of the scholarship recipients were
students of color.
"The SoCalGas Scholarship Program has helped bridge the
educational gaps within our community and offer our younger
generations with the opportunity to learn and develop," said Los
Angeles Councilmember Joe Buscaino. "These scholarships will help
create systematic change for equality and inclusion within our
communities."
"The future of our communities is tied to a highly skilled and
educated workforce. It's important that we provide students with
the support to build a strong foundation that will prepare them for
higher education and opportunities," said Andy Carrasco, vice president of communications,
local government and community affairs at SoCalGas. "Our
communities are a vital part of our organization, and we believe
strongly in nurturing the younger generation for a brighter
future."
Melea Earley, a graduate from La
Serna High School, who will be attending Howard University with a major in Environmental
Studies and a minor in African American studies said, "I am excited
to address how social justice issues can relate, and impact
environmental issues in society today. Thankfully with the
opportunities and scholarship given to me by SoCalGas, I will be
able to use it to further my research as I plan on tackling the
injustices of environmental racism in the future."
Briana Mercado, a graduate from
Warren High School in Downey who will be pursuing a degree in
Mechanical Engineering at the California
Institute of Technology said, "I am very honored to have
received the SoCalGas scholarship. I cannot wait to participate in
research that will lead to creating more sustainable spacecraft and
technology!"
Sharina Batista, a graduate of
Mt. San Jacinto College, who will be
pursuing a degree in computer science and cybersecurity at
California State University, Fullerton,
said, "I am grateful for this opportunity. This scholarship means a
lot to me. It will help me pay for college while pursuing my
dreams."
Kennedy Polk, a graduate of St.
Mary's Academy, who will be pursuing a degree in computer science
or computer programming at Seattle Pacific
University said, "I am so thankful for this scholarship as
it will help me buy the necessary requirements to compete with
other computer science majors in my field of study. This
scholarship will help alleviate some of the financial stress on my
mother who has been pushing me to be the best I can be."
In additional to providing academic scholarships, SoCalGas
supports technology-based learning in STEM programs for kids in
K-12 across the company's service territory. Last year, the company
provided nearly $1.8 million in
grants to hundreds of educational organizations in Central and
Southern California.
About SoCalGas
Headquartered in Los
Angeles, SoCalGas® is the largest gas distribution
utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers
affordable, reliable, clean, and increasingly renewable gas service
to 21.8 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of
Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the
company's pipelines will continue to play a key role in
California's clean energy
transition—providing electric grid reliability and supporting wind
and solar energy deployment.
SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most
innovative energy company in America. In support of that mission,
SoCalGas is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas
emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and
to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply with
renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made
from waste created by dairy farms, landfills, and wastewater
treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its
gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for
customers. Over the past five years, the company invested
nearly $7.5 billion to upgrade and modernize its pipeline
system to enhance safety and reliability. SoCalGas is a subsidiary
of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding
company based in San Diego. For more information
visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas
on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas),
and Facebook.
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company