Page 12 - 2022 GPS Mid Year - English

QuestBridge Scholarship Winner

Congratulations to Ayelen Plascencia, Galena Park High School Senior, for winning the QuestBridge
Match Scholarship. The scholarship, worth over $200,000, is awarded to the nation’s brightest students
to cover college expenses including tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, and travel
expenses.

Ayelen will attend Davidson College in North
Carolina to study Biochemistry.

“I would like to thank QuestBridge for picking me as
a scholarship recipient. I wouldn’t be able to attend
Davidson College without this financial support. I
would also like to thank everyone who has helped
me throughout my educational journey to college.
I am beyond excited, and I’m looking forward to
what the future holds for me,” Plascencia said.

Congratulations, Ayelen! Good luck at Davidson
College. Ayelen Plascencia

Unconventional Thinking

Congratulations to Ms. Jacqueline Moreno,
Director for Elementary Math and Science, for
being selected as a recipient of Marathon Oil’s
Unconventional Thinking and Teaching Award.

The Unconventional Thinking and Teaching
Grant Program supports teachers who intertwine
unconventional thinking with classroom
instruction. Marathon Oil hopes to increase
teacher retention by demonstrating support for
those charged with the task of mentoring our
next generation of leaders and unconventional Jacqueline Moreno
thinkers.

In the program’s first year, more than 140 entries were received and 14 educators were selected
as winners across the nation. Entries were judged blindly by a panel of Marathon Oil employees
based on the nominee’s demonstration of unconventional thinking, commitment to ensuring
inclusive and equitable education for all students, and alignment with Marathon Oil’s values of
collaboration, ownership, boldness and results.

Ms. Moreno received a plaque along with a $2,500 grant from Marathon Oil to support the
purchase of classroom resources such as books, activity and lab materials, technology, and
personal professional development.