Our Success Stories

A 2023 graduate of The University of Oklahoma Health and Science Center and Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing. Upon passing the NCLEX-RN exam, she currently is a Level 4-NICU nurse working in Chicago.

Riyanna shares that “The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc. gave me the opportunity to pursue an education to become a licensed professional Registered Nurse. As a Tulsa-area high school student, I was unsure of how I could obtain an undergraduate degree as my parents were unable to afford college for my sisters and me. The foundation offered me a four-year scholarship that helped fund my college education as well as the most amazing and lifetime mentor, Mrs. Reed. I am truly grateful to be recognized as a recipient of the foundation.”

MEKHI SINGLETON attended Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This past December, (2022) he graduated with a 3.0 GPA and earned a B.S. in Finance. During his matriculation, Mekhi became an ambassador for the University while studying International Business abroad in Ghana, West Africa and Belize City, Belize. He plans to pursue an advanced degree in Construction Management through Louisiana State University. Mekhi is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Harold “Wes” Phillips graduated from Memorial High School with an impressive GPA of 3.97. He double majored in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University and later graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College.

As a basketball player in high school, and a football player at Yale, he was a leader inside the classroom and out. The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc. saw that quality in him when he graduated from Memorial, and is extraordinarily proud of him today. The Foundation says, “He exemplifies a leader. He leads by example. His enthusiasm for school and life in general is contagious.”

Dr. Christian Bell became the first SEEF Scholar to receive her Ph.D.

Soon after graduating Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, her mother passed away.

Despite these challenges, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development, and now a Doctorate in Education Policy and Planning! Christian spent two years giving back to disadvantaged communities through Teach for America. We are so very proud of her!

Ramon Watkins was a high school football star here in Tulsa. He dreamed of becoming a college football player and hoped that an athletic scholarship would put him through school.

That’s when The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc. stepped in and helped Ramon attend college. He graduated top of his class at Cornell University, and became a Managing Attorney at ONEOK Partners in Tulsa.

Ramon said one of the keys to his success was the support The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc. gave him. “They didn’t just give me a check….they checked in with me…they made sure I had emotional support – that makes a huge difference.”

Melicia Mathews graduated from Booker T. Washington High School with an impressive GPA and an even more impressive work ethic. She went on to Oklahoma State University to study Mechanical Engineering.

While finishing her degree at OSU, Melicia interned at Nordam in Tulsa, and pursued graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in Dynamics and Control Systems.

When asked what difference The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc. made in her life, Melicia comments, “I’ve had a mentorship with a donor and he’s introduced me to people and given me opportunities that I might not have otherwise had.”

Kenny Quang graduated from Union High School with an incredibly impressive 5.19 weighted GPA and continued on to the University of Oklahoma to study Microbiology.

Kenny says, “I view education as an opportunity to wander the endless ocean of knowledge that is just waiting to be absorbed by young and motivated minds.” Young and motivated he definitely is.

An instructor at Union High School commented, “Kenny represents that student every teacher adores; he is intellectual, diligent, talented, and charming. He takes advantage of every opportunity to improve himself and demonstrate his assiduousness”.