Samsung Awards $30,000 in Academic Scholarships

To East Texas High School Students with East Texas Communities Foundation

 

Scholarships will aid Marshall and Tyler High School Students to jumpstart college careers 

Tyler, Texas – December 5, 2011 – Samsung awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to three graduating seniors in Marshall Independent School District (MISD) and Tyler Independent School District (TISD) through East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF).  Currently, these scholarships represent the largest individual scholarships available through the Foundation.   

The three seniors that were awarded the Samsung scholarships include Grace Guvernator from MISD, Eduardo Esparza and Jill Guillette from TISD. Grace Guvernator of Marshall was awarded both Samsung scholarships, including the $10,000 Samsung Scholarship and $5,000 Samsung Math, Science and Technology Scholarship. Jill Guillette is the recipient of the$10,000 Samsung Scholarship and Eduardo Esparza is the recipient of $5,000 Samsung Math, Science and Technology Scholarship in Tyler.     

“These three recipients are proof that if you work hard, there are no obstacles to becoming what you want to be in life, and that is empowering,” said Kyle Penney, President of the Foundation. “Without Samsung’s generous donations, we would not be able to grant the educational dreams of these exemplary and ambitious East Texas high school students.”

ETCF was founded in 1989 by visionary leaders who saw the need for a community foundation to serve the people and communities of East Texas. The strong leadership of early organizers like Isadore Roosth, Norman Shtofman, "Dub" Riter, and an investment of the United Way of Tyler/Smith County launched the Foundation.

“Samsung is pleased to collaborate with ETCF to provide financial aid to these academically talented students to move them one step closer to their college dreams,” said Grace Lee, PR Manager on behalf of Samsung. “We are committed to supporting ETCF in its mission of providing today’s youth with opportunities to plan for successful futures and to take control of their lives for years to come.”

Scholarship requirements:

Samsung Scholarship - For graduating seniors from Marshall ISD, Marshall, Texas, or Tyler ISD, Tyler, Texas.  The recipient must have achieved a minimum GPA of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in his/her high school and submit an essay which communicates the applicant’s perspective on the importance of education and his or her interest in obtaining a college degree.  Amount: $10,000.00 each; available for two students from each school district. 

Samsung Math, Science and Technology Scholarship - For graduating seniors from Marshall ISD, Marshall, Texas, or Tyler ISD, Tyler, Texas.  Preference will be given to students pursuing a degree in math, science or technology.  The recipient must have achieved a minimum GPA of at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in his/her high school and submit a written essay.  Amount: $5,000.00 each; available for two students from each Independent School District. 

Samsung has also made donations to other local organizations in Marshall and Tyler including Special Wish Child, Inc., Discovery Science Place, The Boys and Girls Club of East Texas, The Boys and Girls Club of The Big Pines, Marshall Fire Department, Tyler Fire Department, Marshall Public Library, Tyler Public Library, Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium and Marshall and Tyler Independent School Districts.  

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About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. 

About East Texas Communities Foundation

ETCF is a nonprofit corporation serving 32 counties in East Texas.  In 2010, the Foundation distributed a record $4.89 million in grants and manages over $46 million in 173 unique charitable funds which support non-profit organizations and student scholarships. The mission of the Foundation is to support philanthropy by offering simple ways for donors to achieve their long-term charitable goals. For more information, please visit www.etcf.org.