Minute Maid and the Houston Astros announced the winners for the Grand Slam for Youth Baseball (GSFYB) Scholarships for high school seniors at the June 23 Astros game against the Cleveland Indians. In a pre-game ceremony on the ball field, 25 finalists received scholarships of $2,500, which will assist these students with college expenses. The 25 students represented 14 different cities comprising of 17 school districts and four private schools in Texas.

"We once again salute outstanding students and their accomplishments," says Mike Saint John, President of Minute Maid. "This marks the fourth consecutive year we have been able to provide 25 scholarships. Since the program’s inception in 2005, more than 150 scholarships have been granted. All recipients are deserving and will represent us well in their academic and professional careers."

The scholarship winners include seven first-generation students (first in their families to attend college). These students, along with the other winners, will pursue their degrees at 12 different institutions of higher learning, including Howard University, the Colorado School of Mines and several Texas universities, large and small.

In addition to each of these students receiving a scholarship, five students have been selected for the pilot program with Fast Start, the premier college-coaching system, to combine scholarships with an enhanced mentorship system not only to help students with first-year expenses, but to provide custom academic plans and personal guidance to ensure continued scholastic success. Scholarship recipients Jade Alesna, Jack Blackwood, Marcus Livingston, Dulce Perez and Alyssa Solis were selected to participate in the Fast Start program, and each student will be provided with the tools, knowledge and skills to achieve their academic goals, and maintain strong GPA while providing the impetus to graduate in four years.

"Through our partnership with the Astros, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of the youth in the greater Houston area by furthering the cause of education via Grand Slam for Youth Baseball," says Saint John. "The scholarship program is one important facet of this overall effort. We believe these young adults will go on to achieve success and are excellent choices for the 2012 scholarships."

The 25 scholarship winners are:
Charles Adkins of Beaumont (West Brook High School/University of Texas)
Jade Alesna (C.E. King High School/Stephen F. Austin State University)
Katherine Bischof of Friendswood (Clear Brook High School/Texas A&M University)
Jack Blackwood (St. Thomas High School/Texas A&M University)
Mirna Calderon (Eisenhower High School/Lone Star College)
Chet Danto of Sugar Land (Fort Bend Christian Academy/University of Texas)
Kerry Henderson, Jr. (J. Frank Dobie High School/Stephen F. Austin State University)
Michelle Holik of Louise (Louise High School/Baylor University)
Randell Jones of Huffman (Hargrave High School/Blinn College)
Wyatt Lang (Sam Rayburn High School/Colorado School of Mines)
Aaron Lavergne (Booker T. Washington High School/Lamar University)
Marcus Livingston (Eisenhower High School/Howard University)
Jordan Lynch of Groves (Port Neches-Groves High School/Lamar University)
Mark Martinez of Van Vleck (Van Vleck High School/Texas A&M University)
Jonathan Medina of Spring (Nimitz High School/University of Houston)
Candace Moeller of Cuero (Cuero High School/Texas A&M University)
Alexis Padilla (North Shore Senior High School/Paris Junior College)
Samuel Perez (Shady Acres Christian School/Lone Star College)
Dulce Reyes (YES Prep North/University of Texas)
Phillip Skweres of Missouri City (Elkins High School/Texas A&M University)
Austin Smith of The Woodlands (The Woodlands High School/Texas State University)
Alyssa Solis (North Shore Senior High School/University of Texas)
Rylan Sternadel of Schulenburg (Schulenburg High School/Blinn College)
Edward Taylor (St. Pius X High School/Howard University)
Adam Trahan of Pearland (Pearland High School/Texas A&M University)