Simon Youth Foundation In Katy Awards Diplomas, Scholarships

KATY, TX — Several Houston area students took part in a special graduation ceremony at the Simon Youth Academy at Katy Mills this week, and a few were awarded scholarships from the Simon Youth Foundation.

The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. on May 29. The graduates who were honored and recognized for their hard work included:

• Ali Al Farttoosi
• Isaiah Barthelemy
• Michael Cienfuegos
• Tatum Custer
• Denny Garcia
• Billie Holley
• Reilly Jane Hrachovy
• James Hryszko
• Justin Hymer
• Andrea Jicalan Cubas
• Samantha Levit
• Alyssa Longoria
• Walker McClellan
• Jonathan Pritchard
• Collin Roberts
• David Silva
• Micah Tidden
• Carlos Vega

Simon Youth Academy at Katy Mills presented McClelland from the Simon Youth Academy with a $32,000 scholarship. He is studying Evolutionary Biology with a focus on Mycology at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Katy Mills also presented Holley from the Simon Youth Academy with a $8,000 scholarship to support her plans to study healthcare at Lone Star College this fall.

Simon Youth Foundation operates 35 Simon Youth Academies in 15 states, including one at Katy Mills.

Through partnerships with local public-school districts and their neighboring Simon centers, Simon Youth Academies provide alternative high school environments designed to meet students’ unique needs and help them reach graduation day.

"Simon Youth Foundation believes all youth, no matter their personal circumstances, should have the opportunity and resources to pursue their dreams through education, and that financial reasons should never prevent students from achieving their goals," said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, President and CEO of SYF. "We are humbled to have the incredible support of our corporate partner, Simon, and its Simon Supports Education movement."

The Simon Youth Foundation also provides renewable scholarships to graduating seniors in communities where there is a Simon property.

Since its inception in 1998, Simon Youth Foundation has helped more than 17,500 students on the verge of dropping out of high school graduate and has awarded $17 million in scholarships. Simon Supports Education encourages shoppers to help SYF continue this incredible legacy.

"Simon Youth Foundation is a national organization, but we can feel the benefit of its efforts right here at home," said James Ross, general manager of Katy Mills. "As the city of Katy continues to flourish, we stay committed to supporting our community and we are incredibly proud to honor these students and help with furthering their education and career paths."

Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) is a national nonprofit committed to helping students who are on the verge of dropping out of high school graduate and pursue post-secondary educational opportunities. SYF works toward this mission by partnering with local public school districts to launch Simon Youth Academies, alternative classroom settings located primarily in Simon Malls, and by providing Simon Youth Scholarships to Academy graduates and students who live near Simon Malls. Since its inception, SYF has maintained a 90 percent graduation rate at its 35 Simon Youth Academies in 15 states, helping more than 17,500 students graduate, and has awarded more than $17 million in post-secondary scholarships. Visit syf.org to learn more.