Meet Some Scholars

AVERY G. ALEXANDER is a graduate of the homeschool educational system with an exemplary 4.0 GPA, and scoring 33 on her ACT Composite, while maintaining dual enrollment through a local community college receiving A+ in those classes. She was a recipient of OMTA State Achievement Audition 2024Clarence Burg Award and ranked 1+ at Oklahoma Music Teachers Association State Piano Competition for four consecutive years. Additionally, Avery was V.P. of her chapter of National Homeschool Honor Society.

She states, “… responsibility is something I highly prioritize. Balancing schoolwork, dual enrollment, household chores, and my part-time jobs has taught me time management. Earning a college degree is a big endeavor, but I am confident that I have the skills needed to be successful.”

“All my life, I have loved science and everything about it.” declares Avery. She will pursue a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering toward the fulfillment of her dream to work for NASA one day.

2022 Valedictorian of her graduating class at East Central High School.
She states that, “It took a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve this goal in my high school career.” She is described by a teacher there as, “…a model student, friend, and team member…diligent, working not only until a task is completed, but until it is completed correctly.”
Her collegiate plans include majoring in Psychology, “to contribute to the community and make a difference.”

Graduated from Edison Preparatory High School where he was Academic All State Nominee and on the Honor Roll.  He was actively involved in community volunteerism, most notably with Mission Tulsa, an organization that feeds the homeless.

Former teachers describe him as, “intelligent, polite, hard-working, and loyal.”

He states, “The Simon Estes Scholarship would help me improve my society through my pursuit of community service in the pharmaceutical branch of Chemical Engineering and allow me to fulfill a lifelong dream of helping low-income families.”

Evan plans on continuing his post-secondary education toward a career in the field of Chemical Engineering.

Graduated with a 3.94 GPA from Claremore High School where she was a key member and leader in the school’s NHS Chapter serving as Vice President of Service. Throughout high school, she took a variety of honors, AP, and concurrent college classes earning her recognition on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll for multiple semesters. She is “passionate about my education…focusing and continuing my education is my biggest priority for my future.”

She served as a coach and referee for Upward League Sports for many years being credited with the success of the NHS Hope Race Fundraiser. She states that, “by joining and being active in clubs and supporting all athletics … have taught me countless life lessons, such as striving to be the best leader I can be by understanding and respecting diversity and getting along with everyone.”

Reese is pursuing a degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Criminal Justice.

Graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Booker T. Washington High School where she was a Co-President of the National Honor Society, Co-President of YMCA Youth and Government, Co-President of RISE Girl Up, and Principal Cellist of the Advanced Orchestra.

Additionally, she was Creator & Founder of “B4 You Vote OK,” Second Chair in the Tulsa Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Cellist of Sistema Community Youth Orchestra.

She states, “My passions for music, equality, and politics have given me an unwavering commitment to enact change that will continue into law school.  I will use the Simon Estes Scholarship to seek higher education so I can be at the frontline of change to continue fighting for the arts, women, and people of my community.

graduated from Edison High School maintaining Honor Roll status for all four years. She lists her “Interests & Activities” as volunteering, leadership and philanthropy as evidenced by her participation in Youth Leadership Council, Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, Tulsa Community College City Lab, and Business Professionals of America. As Co-Facilitator of Youth Philanthropy Initiative she provided opportunities for her peers to build leadership skills, engage creatively, and develop STEM practices, showcasing her commitment to community engagement.

Sofia expressed, “I know that there is a lot of stigma around being unable to afford things that seem basic to others so I hope to tear down that stigma and make people feel more confident in their future and habits. So, I plan to build my knowledge throughout my college experience by attending informative community events and investment classes to educate others about investing.”

In the advancement of this pursuit, Sofia will major in Finance in university.

MIA VERA graduated from Nathan Hale High School with a 3.7 GPA, ranking in the top tier of her senior class. She concurrently completed Drafting coursework at Tulsa Technology Center, was a member of the National Honor Society, and participated in internship programs at two prestigious architectural firms who both offer high praise for her overall work ethic, dedication, and dependability.

Mia declares, “Having a dream is something important for everyone to have no matter how big or small. A dream will lead you in the future and will help you push through hard moments in your life.”

“Reducing the use of carbon and increasing the use of renewable energy to prevent more damage to the environment.” are career goals of Mia’s. She states, “I am eager to become an architect because only 1% of Latinas are in the field and only 23.3% are women.”

Mia will be pursuing her dream of becoming an Architectural Engineer while in college.

Graduated with a 3.90 GPA from Charles Page High School, where she took college classes with concurrent enrollment at TCC and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was actively involved in serving her community through volunteerism with Mana Meals, Blood Drives, German Shepherd Rescue of Tulsa, and Bell Ringing with Salvation Army.

A former teacher remembers that “She deflects the enormous praise that is heaped upon her so that others may bask in the limelight … She thinks how her words and actions impact others. I have met very few students that possess Ashley Kirkpatrick leadership skills.”

Ashley will pursue a chemistry degree to further her goal of becoming a Biochemist.

Graduate of Booker T. Washington High School where he was a member of the All-Metro Jazz and Concert Band, President of Men of Power, President of the Tulsa Kappa League, and a member of the Student Council.

He states, “Education is of the utmost importance because it will take me to new heights that would be unachievable without a degree.  The reason that I have chosen education as my field of study is to teach others, to empower, to provide direction and to define priorities.  Receiving the Simon Estes Scholarship will not only help relieve the financial burden of higher education it will also give me motivation to live up to the Foundation’s expectations – failure is not in my vocabulary.”

Jackson is double-majoring in Mathematics and Education with a career goal of becoming   a Secondary Education Teacher.

Graduated from Edison Preparatory High School with a 3.90 GPA, being in the top 10% of his class, and excelling in Advanced Placement courses. He participated on the boy’s cross-country and soccer teams and made the Oklahoma Cross Country & Track Coaches Association 5A Senior All-Star Roster Top 15. Additionally, he served on his class’ student board, Student Council Vice President, and officer of his school’s National Honor Society.

Those familiar with Hank attest to his qualities of self-reliance, perserverance, self-motivation,and good discernment. Through his volunteerism, he helped local organizations during the height of the COVID crisis.

Hank states, “I have worked very hard in all my classes throughout the years in order to give myself a competitive edge in the classroom. My studies are very important to me and I want to expand my knowledge and utilize my academic rigor to its fullest potential in college.”

He will be pursuing a degree in General Business with a desire to become a business leader in the community.