(FORT BEND ISD) – Hightower High School senior Jasmin Esemu has been awarded the $100,000 C. Jackson Scholarship Award from American Productivity & Quality Center in a surprise presentation on Tuesday. Jasmin is one of only four students to receive the award this school year, and the first Fort Bend ISD to be honored by the organization.
She plans to attend Texas A&M University to study biomedical engineering and hopes to become a surgeon. She’s a member of the Hightower P-TECH Early College High School program and will earn her high school diploma and Associate Degree in Applied Science upon graduation.
“When I saw their description of the ideal candidate, I felt like I matched that,” Jasmin said. “I liked the essay prompt – write about an idea that I challenge. I wrote about confronting the idea that I couldn’t do things or do as much because I am a girl.”
Successful scholarship applicants bring an inspiring story of rising above challenges to pursue their college dreams, all while having household incomes that are below the poverty line. Qualifying grade point averages for applicants are 2.5 and above.
Jasmin was selected because of her academic achievements and having spent her formative years challenging gender and race stereotypes about what she “could or should be” which taught her to advocate for herself and find her voice. She also has a passion for music and has recorded and released a single.
A Spring ISD student and two charter school students also won this year’s awards.
The C. Jackson Grayson Scholarship Award, named in honor of the organization’s late founder who believed strongly in education, was established in the 2021-22 school year. During each award cycle, only the first 100 applications are considered for selection. Four students are selected each school year, and over these two school years, the organization’s total award amount is $800,000.
Next year’s applications will open on October 8, 2023, and students who reside in Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, Brazoria and Waller counties are invited to apply. In addition to the scholarship funds, APQC is offering paid summer internships, mentoring, and skill development to help this year’s award recipients be successful in pursuing their education and careers.
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