2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients:
Kirsten Guillory, University of North Texas
Kirsten is a senior majoring in Computer Engineering at the University of North Texas. She has a passion for technology and enjoys exploring ways to integrate hardware and software. At UNT, she is actively involved on campus and has held leadership roles in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the Student Alumni Association. In her free time, she enjoys working on coding projects, reading, and giving back to the community. Kirsten looks forward to exploring the opportunities offered by the National Society of Professional Engineers and the DFW Mid-Cities Chapter, and she is deeply grateful to be selected as a scholarship recipient.
Kirsten is a senior majoring in Computer Engineering at the University of North Texas. She has a passion for technology and enjoys exploring ways to integrate hardware and software. At UNT, she is actively involved on campus and has held leadership roles in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the Student Alumni Association. In her free time, she enjoys working on coding projects, reading, and giving back to the community. Kirsten looks forward to exploring the opportunities offered by the National Society of Professional Engineers and the DFW Mid-Cities Chapter, and she is deeply grateful to be selected as a scholarship recipient.
Oliver Burke, Southern Methodist University
Oliver is a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Southern Methodist University. He is a Hunt Leadership Scholar, a member of the University Honors Program, and plays drums in the SMU Mustang Band. He is also one of six freshmen elected to the SMU Student Senate.
Oliver graduated from Greenhill School in Addison, Texas. He was awarded the Bernard L. Fulton Award; named for the founder and first Head of School, it is the highest award presented to a graduating senior. At Greenhill, Oliver took Advanced Placement and honors classes. He served as the Tenor Captain in the Greenhill Band and performed in the Drum Line at school and athletic events. As a three-sport athlete, Oliver was Captain of both the Varsity Cross Country Team and Swim Team and ran distance events on the Varsity Track and Field Team. At Texas Boys State, Oliver was elected to the House of Representatives and played in the Boys State Band.
Oliver is an Eagle Scout with 23 Palms and earned all 139 Merit Badges; less than 600 Scouts out of 112 million since 1910 have ever achieved this rare distinction. He was named the “National Eagle Scout of the Year” by the American Legion and "Texas Eagle Scout of the Year” by the Sons of the American Revolution. Oliver served as Senior Patrol Leader of his Troop, Chapter Chief of his Order of the Arrow Chapter, and Senior Patrol Leader of his National Jamboree Troop. He has been awarded the National Outdoor Award for Adventure, Aquatics, Camping, Conservation, Hiking, and Riding, his Religious Award, and the Arrow of Light.
Oliver is especially passionate about protecting our environment and spearheaded significant conservation projects involving over 100 volunteers and 830 service hours to preserve the endangered Blackland Prairie ecosystem. For his conservation efforts, the Hershey Company named him a “Hershey Heartwarming Hero.” And, U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne named him a “Texas – 24 Hometown Hero” and presented remarks about him to Congress, which were recorded in the U.S. Congressional Record. Oliver also earned the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award, Scouting’s most prestigious environmental award.
Community service is a significant part of Oliver’s life. He served three terms on U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne’s Congressional Youth Advisory Council and four years as Trail Captain of the Northaven Trail. In his summers, Oliver interned at the Perot Museum of Nature & Science and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. Oliver earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal with STEM Star for outstanding youth achievement in public service, personal development, physical fitness, exploration/expedition and STEM research and received the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award for four consecutive years. Most recently, the Southwest Jewish Congress recognized him as a “Future Man of Action” for outstanding community service in North Texas.
Oliver is a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Southern Methodist University. He is a Hunt Leadership Scholar, a member of the University Honors Program, and plays drums in the SMU Mustang Band. He is also one of six freshmen elected to the SMU Student Senate.
Oliver graduated from Greenhill School in Addison, Texas. He was awarded the Bernard L. Fulton Award; named for the founder and first Head of School, it is the highest award presented to a graduating senior. At Greenhill, Oliver took Advanced Placement and honors classes. He served as the Tenor Captain in the Greenhill Band and performed in the Drum Line at school and athletic events. As a three-sport athlete, Oliver was Captain of both the Varsity Cross Country Team and Swim Team and ran distance events on the Varsity Track and Field Team. At Texas Boys State, Oliver was elected to the House of Representatives and played in the Boys State Band.
Oliver is an Eagle Scout with 23 Palms and earned all 139 Merit Badges; less than 600 Scouts out of 112 million since 1910 have ever achieved this rare distinction. He was named the “National Eagle Scout of the Year” by the American Legion and "Texas Eagle Scout of the Year” by the Sons of the American Revolution. Oliver served as Senior Patrol Leader of his Troop, Chapter Chief of his Order of the Arrow Chapter, and Senior Patrol Leader of his National Jamboree Troop. He has been awarded the National Outdoor Award for Adventure, Aquatics, Camping, Conservation, Hiking, and Riding, his Religious Award, and the Arrow of Light.
Oliver is especially passionate about protecting our environment and spearheaded significant conservation projects involving over 100 volunteers and 830 service hours to preserve the endangered Blackland Prairie ecosystem. For his conservation efforts, the Hershey Company named him a “Hershey Heartwarming Hero.” And, U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne named him a “Texas – 24 Hometown Hero” and presented remarks about him to Congress, which were recorded in the U.S. Congressional Record. Oliver also earned the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award, Scouting’s most prestigious environmental award.
Community service is a significant part of Oliver’s life. He served three terms on U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne’s Congressional Youth Advisory Council and four years as Trail Captain of the Northaven Trail. In his summers, Oliver interned at the Perot Museum of Nature & Science and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. Oliver earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal with STEM Star for outstanding youth achievement in public service, personal development, physical fitness, exploration/expedition and STEM research and received the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award for four consecutive years. Most recently, the Southwest Jewish Congress recognized him as a “Future Man of Action” for outstanding community service in North Texas.
Jaden M. Saunders, Texas Tech University
Jaden M. Saunders, a 2025 graduate of W. T. White High School in Dallas, Texas, was first introduced to the field of engineering as a 6th grader through a collegiate Summer Engineering Program. From that experience, he developed a strong interest in STEM throughout his high school years, winning his first science fair as a 9th grader before advancing to represent his school at the Dallas Regional Science and Engineering Fair. That same year, he also completed the Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Basic Cadet Encampment.
As Captain and Treasurer of his high school robotics team, Jaden led the group to earn a #26 ranking at the 2024 VEX UIL Texas State Robotics Championships 5A Competition in Houston, Texas. Outside of academics, he enjoys sports and outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and biking, and he is deeply passionate about serving and helping others.
Now a first-year student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, Jaden is pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering with the goal of improving communities. He continues to build on his commitment to service through volunteer experiences, including his work with organizations such as VNA Meals on Wheels
Jaden M. Saunders, a 2025 graduate of W. T. White High School in Dallas, Texas, was first introduced to the field of engineering as a 6th grader through a collegiate Summer Engineering Program. From that experience, he developed a strong interest in STEM throughout his high school years, winning his first science fair as a 9th grader before advancing to represent his school at the Dallas Regional Science and Engineering Fair. That same year, he also completed the Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Basic Cadet Encampment.
As Captain and Treasurer of his high school robotics team, Jaden led the group to earn a #26 ranking at the 2024 VEX UIL Texas State Robotics Championships 5A Competition in Houston, Texas. Outside of academics, he enjoys sports and outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and biking, and he is deeply passionate about serving and helping others.
Now a first-year student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, Jaden is pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering with the goal of improving communities. He continues to build on his commitment to service through volunteer experiences, including his work with organizations such as VNA Meals on Wheels
John "Jack" Kliethermes, University of California - Los Angeles
John graduated from Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was the Vice President of the National Honor Society, a decorated member of the Catholic Math League, an award winner of the International Thespian Society, and involved in the First Robotics Competition and Tarrant Area Food Bank. John is excited to begin their college journey this fall at the University of California - Los Angeles, where they'll study Mechanical Engineering and be a part of the SAE: F1 team. John was recently awarded the Samueli School of Engineering - General Engineering Scholarship for this upcoming academic year.
John graduated from Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was the Vice President of the National Honor Society, a decorated member of the Catholic Math League, an award winner of the International Thespian Society, and involved in the First Robotics Competition and Tarrant Area Food Bank. John is excited to begin their college journey this fall at the University of California - Los Angeles, where they'll study Mechanical Engineering and be a part of the SAE: F1 team. John was recently awarded the Samueli School of Engineering - General Engineering Scholarship for this upcoming academic year.
2023-2024 Scholarship Recipients:
Samuel Moran
Dillan DeLugo
Isabella Olivares-Reed
Ava Horton
Dillan DeLugo
Isabella Olivares-Reed
Ava Horton
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients:
Garrett Hoke
Julius Rivera
Kelly Vu
Moksh Shah
Julius Rivera
Kelly Vu
Moksh Shah
2021-2022 Scholarship Recipients:
Erin Blasingame
Alluwee Moore
Denver Bush
Alluwee Moore
Denver Bush
2020-2021 Scholarship Recipients:
Jayden Thomas McDonnell
Jasmin Ashley
An Nguyen
Mia Stertzer
Jasmin Ashley
An Nguyen
Mia Stertzer
2018-2019 Scholarship Recipients:
Ashwin Menezes
Arthur McCord
Corinne Peterson
Zachary Hall
Arthur McCord
Corinne Peterson
Zachary Hall
2017-2018 Scholarship Recipients:
Drew DeHaven
Luka Valencic
Tyler Cook
Brendan Sweet
Luka Valencic
Tyler Cook
Brendan Sweet
2016-2017 Scholarship Recipients:
Wesley Feeny
Curtis Popkin
Moses Eboh
Alexandra Zimmerman
Curtis Popkin
Moses Eboh
Alexandra Zimmerman
2015-2016 Scholarship Recipients:
Miha Valencia
Shelby Warrington
Rachel Bui
Shelby Warrington
Rachel Bui
2014-2015 Scholarship Recipients:
Emily de Jong
2013-2014 Scholarship Recipients:
Mukundan Kuthalam
Samantha Craus
Samantha Craus
