Welcome to the 2006
Society of Petroleum
Engineers Gulf Coast
Awards Banquet
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Lauren Hedrix
Lauren is graduating from the Woodlands High
School and plans to pursue a degree in
Petroleum Engineering at the University of
Texas in Austin. She has served on her
school’s Student Council and participates in
various community service projects with
Interact. Lauren was recently selected as a
Highlighted Highlander, recognized as an
outstanding role model for her peers.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Richard Hopper
Richard will graduate from Klein High School
and plans to study Petroleum Engineering at
the University of Oklahoma. His work as an
intern at Hunt Petroleum has provided him a
glimpse of his future career in the energy
industry. Richard is a four-year member of the
Klein High School Marching Band and
volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Austin Johnson
Austin is graduating from Lamar Consolidated
High School in Rosenberg and plans to pursue
a degree in Petroleum Engineering at Texas
A&M University in the fall. Austin has been a
member of his school’s football and track
teams. He is a member of the National Honor
Society and participates in choir. Outside of
school Austin volunteers with the Special
Olympics.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Caleb Jones
Caleb is graduating from Magnolia High School
in Magnolia and plans to purse a degree in
Petroleum Engineering at the University of
Texas in Austin in the fall. Caleb has been a
member of his school’s band and National
Honor Society. Outside of school, Caleb is
active in his church and volunteers for Camp
Lone Star.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Bernadette Jurica
Bernadette will graduate from Rice High School
in Altair and plans to study Petroleum
Engineering at Texas A&M University.
Bernadette has served on her school’s Student
Council and is active in her church youth group.
She is also active in Future Farmers of
America; serving as Chapter President and
Voting Delegate at the District, Area, State, and
National Conventions.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Cody Karasek
Cody is graduating from Lamar Consolidated
High School and will be studying Petroleum
Engineering at Texas A&M University. Cody is
co-captain and a four-year member of his
school’s baseball team. He also plays football
for his school and is a member of the National
Honor Society. Cody participates in various
community service projects through his the
church youth organization and Interact.
FY06 SPE GCS SPONSORS
PRECOLLEGE INTERN EMPLOYER
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Jessica Kolesar
Jessica plans on attending Texas A&M to study
Petroleum Engineering after she graduates
from Cinco Ranch High School in Katy. When
she is not working at her job in sales, Jessica
stays busy with her church youth group, Tae
Kwon Do classes, and her school orchestra.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Aditya Kunjapur
Aditya is graduating from Stratford High School
and plans on attending the University of Texas
to study either Chemical or Petroleum
Engineering. He has won numerous awards on
his school’s speech and debate and cross
country teams. Outside of school, he has his
own tutoring business which he has run for
three years.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Janice Mathew
Janice plans on attending Massachusetts
Institute of Technology to study Chemical
Engineering upon her graduation from Booker
T. Washington High School. Throughout her
high school career she has placed 1st in
several contests such as FIRST Robotics
Challenge and UIL’s Science and Math
competitions. When she’s not participating in
events, she’s volunteering her time to help
interest Middle School children in engineering
through mentoring and work on an Engineering
Camp.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Mikhail Mayzenberg
Mikhail will soon graduate from Elkins High
School in Missouri City and plans to study
either Mechanical or Petroleum Engineering at
University of Texas in the fall. Growing up in
Ukraine, Mikhail learned to speak fluent
Russian. Here in the Houston area he has
used this ability to volunteer over one hundred
hours at the Russian Community Center.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Matthew Metzger
Matthew will attend the Colorado School of
Mines to study Petroleum Engineering after he
graduates from Memorial High School in
Houston. Matthew actively volunteers at his
church to help others and teach young kids.
Through his school, he volunteers his time for
the community with the Memorial Mustangs
Outreach Bunch.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Travis Phillippi
Travis will soon graduate from Magnolia High
School in Magnolia and go on to study
Petroleum Engineering at the Colorado School
of Mines. In school, Travis is currently serving
as Senior Class Treasurer and News Editor for
the school newspaper. Since last August, he
has interned at Anadarko Petroleum. When
he’s not busy with school or work, Travis enjoys
playing football and ice hockey.
FY06 SPE GCS SPONSORS
SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Cody Robinson
Cody will graduate from Concordia Lutheran
High School in Tomball and plans to pursue a
degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas
A&M University. Cody is captain of his school’s
basketball team which made the Texas 5A Final
Four. He is also a leader in the youth group at
his church.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Sydney Slimm
Sydney plans on attending the Colorado School
of Mines after she graduates from Oak Ridge
High School’s Academy of Science and
Technology. Sydney has been active in
cheerleading, Key Club, and the Houston
Science Fair. Outside of school, she is
employed as a secretary and also stays active
with her church.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Christine Sliva
Christine is graduating from Cy Fair High
School and will go on to Texas A&M University
to study Petroleum Engineering. Christine has
a passion for music and has played for her
school’s band and with the Houston Youth
Symphony. She’s active in her school’s French
Club and spends her free time coaching a team
for Destination Imagination.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Michael Sollee
Michael will attend Texas A&M University to
study Petroleum Engineering after he
graduates from Kingwood High School.
Michael plays on his school’s varsity Tennis
team and plays trumpet in the school’s
Symphonic Band. Outside of school, he is
active in his church and has gone with them on
several mission trips.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Vanessa Trevino
Vanessa will graduate from Klein Oak High
School in Spring and plans on studying
Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M
University. She has worked on her school’s
yearbook throughout school and is currently a
section editor. Vanessa is also an
accomplished equestrian and has competed in
various forms of the sport for over ten years.
FY06 SPE GCS SPONSORS
SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Brent Vangolen
Brent is graduating from The Woodlands High
School and will go to the Colorado School of
Mines to study Petroleum Engineering. Brent
has been active in the Mu Alpha Theta club at
his school and has placed first in the BEST
Robotics Competition. He has also been a
feature editor for his school’s newspaper.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Forrest Whittington
Forrest plans on studying Petroleum
Engineering at Texas A&M University after he
graduates from Foster High School in
Richmond. Forrest plays clarinet in his school
band where he is a marching leader. He loves
baseball and for over four years has served as
an umpire for the local Little League.
FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Carl Williford
Carl will graduate from Humble High School in
Humble and plans to pursue a degree in
Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M
University. He plays on the varsity football
team at his school and volunteers at his church.
Carl’s work as a lab technician at BSI
Inspectorate has already given him a glimpse of
his future career in the energy industry.