FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jennifer Occean
(202) 776-1732
joccean@nclr.org
Houston—The KIPP Houston High School Escalera Scholars Program is pleased to announce that 100 percent of the program’s participating class will graduate on Tuesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. The program, which receives funding from Houston-based Shell Oil Company, will celebrate 25 students who have successfully earned a high school diploma and completed the NCLR (National Council of La Raza) Escalera Program: Taking Steps to Success.
The NCLR Escalera Program was founded in 2001 as a national after-school program promoting economic mobility for Latino youth. The program aims to increase educational achievement and career planning by providing opportunities for students to access resources and achieve educational goals. Students are eligible to enroll in the Escalera Program during the second semester of their junior year and must work toward a high school diploma or GED, complete a minimum of 80 hours of work or internship experience, and start the enrollment process for a postsecondary institution. All 25 Escalera Program students at KIPP have been accepted to college.
“Shell believes in giving back to the community by partnering with youth development programs, such as the Escalera Scholars program,” Brian Hall, Shell Oil Company Supplier Diversity & Outreach Specialist, said. “We are a proud sponsor of the Escalera Program at KIPP Houston High School, and we are delighted when our employees show their commitment as mentors to the students, thereby prepping them for both college and career success.”
Shell Oil Company has been a strong supporter of the Escalera Program over the past three years. The Shell/NCLR Escalera Program partnership connects students with members of the Shell Hispanic Employee Network (SHEN), who provide mentoring, hands-on learning, career speakers, and internship opportunities. Retired Shell Oil Engineer Paul Spicer and his wife Kathy are mainstays of the mentoring program—they have devoted countless hours to serving the program since its inception. An annual $500 scholarship named in their honor, the Paul and Kathy Spicer Above and Beyond Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating KIPP Houston High School Escalera Program senior for outstanding commitment and persistence to succeeding against all odds. For more information on NCLR’s Escalera Program, please visit www.nclr.org/escalera .
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO: Mike Feinberg, KIPP Co-Founder and Superintendent, KIPP Houston
WHAT: Class of 2011 KIPP Houston High School Escalera Program graduation ceremony
WHEN: May 31, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: KIPP Houston High School
10711 Kipp Way
Houston, TX 77099
CONTACT: To interview a KIPP Houston High School Escalera Program student, please contact Felicia Medellin fmedellin@nclr.org.
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