ExxonMobil, Irving, Texas announced that it will continue its support of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards, which honor Latino students in America who excel in engineering and mathematics, by sponsoring the awards for the ninth straight year.

 

“ExxonMobil sees it as an imperative to encourage and reward students who are excelling in the vital areas of math and science,” Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil Corp. said in a press release. The company has contributed more than $1.4 million since it began sponsoring the awards. 

 

Studies have shown the U.S. could face a major shortage of engineers, scientists and technically trained workers in the near future. To combat this possibility, ExxonMobil supports programs and organizations, such as the National Math and Science Initiative that focus on improvements in these areas from pre-school through higher education.

 

“We want to develop more engineers and scientists and our partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards supports that goal. We are proud of our involvement in the awards and congratulate all of the winners,” Tillerson said.

 

The Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation will honor regional winners this spring in 12 cities, including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, San Jose and Washington, D.C. Award recipients are graduating seniors and are chosen based on academic achievement, community service and an essay about the importance of their heritage.

 

From the regional winners in each category, one National Youth Award winner will be selected to receive an additional educational grant, a laptop computer and a trip to the National Youth Award presentation in Washington.