By Alam Johnpaul Ifeanyi
The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) announces the 2018 beneficiary of the OTC Distinguished Achievement Awards Luncheon: Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy (YWCPA).
OTC will host the Distinguished Achievement Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, 1 May 2018 at NRG Center in Houston. The event recognizes industry achievements, raises funds for a worthy cause, and provides an excellent opportunity for industry leaders to network with colleagues from around the world.
YWCPA is an all-girl, college preparatory magnet school within the Houston Independent School District (HISD) with middle and high school divisions. Launched in 2011 with the support of the Foundation for the Education of Young Women, YWCPA focuses on college readiness and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) with all core curriculum classes being either Pre-Advanced Placement or Advanced Placement.
“OTC is honored to have the opportunity to support YWCPA’s efforts to promote STEM education among middle and high schools girls,” says Wafik Beydoun, Chairman, OTC Board of Directors. “There’s a steadily increasing demand for energy-related skills from tomorrow’s rapidly diversifying workforce, not just within offshore oil and gas field but society at large, and it’s important to invest in curriculum that will help meet this need. We’re excited that our support will provide more opportunities for these students and expect that we’ll see some of them at future OTCs.”
Over the past six years, OTC has donated a total of USD 1,600,000 to Medical Bridges; Offshore Energy Center; Engineers without Borders; Gulf of Mexico Foundation; the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and the Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA) Energy Education Center for the benefit of the Energy Institute High School; Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas; and Oilfield Helping Hands.
“This donation is such a huge honor for our girls. We teach them every day that hard work and dedication will pay off tenfold in their future, and this contribution really speaks to that,” explains April Williams, YWCPA’s Principal. “I cannot thank OTC and the advisory board enough for this investment. Because of it our students will be exposed to more STEM related curriculum, able to enjoy more hands-on technology in the classroom, and our teachers will have additional opportunities for more professional development that will directly impact learning for our girls. Choosing to invest in young women who will no doubt be future leaders in STEM is truly phenomenal.”
The academy also offers dual credit classes, which allow students to simultaneously earn high school and college credit. YWCPA’s students are required to pursue the distinguished graduation track, which is optional in most HISD schools. It also offers a Vanguard Neighborhood program with accelerated academics for gifted and talented students.
Sponsorship opportunities for the OTC Distinguished Achievement Luncheon are still available at various levels. To learn more, contact the OTC Sales Team at sales@otcnet.org or visit the website. Individual tickets can be purchased online for USD 85.