Texas Scholars
We are officially partnered with the Odessa Chamber of Commerce to participate in Texas Scholars!
The Texas Scholars program is a workforce development program sponsored by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Compass Academy Charter School, ECISD, Richard Milburn Academy, UTPB Stem and the Ector County businesses and non-profits for students in 9th-12th grades. Community Service hours are required to encourage students to expand their awareness of community needs and civic responsibility. Students earning a minimum of 50 community service hours by their senior year are eligible for a scholarship their freshman year at either Odessa College or UTPB.
Volunteering is a way for our students to give back to the community in which they live! It boosts self-esteem, develops new skills and helps individuals develop a sense of accomplishment. It also allows opportunity for career interest exploration and networking with professionals in the community. Plus, volunteering always looks great on college, university and job applications and it is a common essay question for on scholarship applications!
To become a Texas Scholar, a student must be:
- In grades 9-12 (they may begin the summer after successfully completing the 8th grade)
- Maintain a 2.75 grade point average
- Complete the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Graduation Requirements
- Submit Community service forms to Mrs. Dunlap by April 10th annually
- Volunteer a minimum of 50 hours by April 10th of their senior year
Minimum requirement for community service hours submitted are:
- 9th grade year - minimum of 5 hours
- 10th grade year- minimum of 10 hours
- 11th grade year - minimum of 15 hours
- 12th grade year - minimum of 20 hours
Forms Due to the Secondary Counseling Office by April 10th Each School Year
**Please retain a copy for your records**
Each year, students meeting these requirements will be recognized and awarded with various items from the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. Seniors will be given a special cord for graduation and a certificate of completion that will make them eligible for a scholarship at OC or UTPB. Seniors take their Texas Scholar certificate received at graduation to the scholarship office at OC and/or UTPB to receive their scholarship. Scholarship is $1,000 per year or $500 per semester.
*Students may submit hours to make up for the requirements not met in previous years, however, must accumulate the minimum amount of hours required each school year.
For further questions, please feel free to call or email Mrs. Dunlap [email protected] or Mrs. Ramirez [email protected]