Straight A’s and Athletes: Reliant and Houston Texans Honor High School Students with $60,000 in Scholarships

– Scholarships for Champions program surpasses $700,000 supporting more than 100 Houston-area student-athletes –

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Six exceptional Houston-area high school seniors were each surprised with a $10,000 scholarship through Reliant’s Scholarships for Champions program during a special event at the Houston Texans facilities today. The local electricity provider teamed up with the Texans to honor the dedicated student-athletes for their achievements with a “player for a day” experience and surprise check presentation.

Since 2005, Reliant and the Houston Texans have supported nearly 110 students setting off for college through merit scholarships. The program has surpassed $710,000 in scholarship donations, recognizing students’ commitment to athletics, education and their community, through their leadership skills, academic excellence and volunteering efforts.

“We are moved by the inspirational stories of each of these student athletes – their resilience, dedication and unwavering commitment on the field, in the classroom and in the community serve as examples to all,” said Leanne Schneider, senior director of community relations at Reliant. “We wish them the best of luck as they embark on this exciting new chapter and know their strong foundations will carry them on a pathway to success. We’re rooting for each of them!”

This year’s outstanding scholarship recipients hail from Harris, Waller, Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties and excel in a variety of sports, including football, track, baseball, diving, cheerleading and volleyball. The student-athletes were secretly nominated by teachers, mentors and coaches that have had a front-row seat to their hard work, resilience and dedication during their high school careers.

To round out the memorable evening, students also had a meet-and-greet with Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and Legend Cecil Shorts followed by dinner at the team facility with their family and coaches.

The 2024 Scholarships for Champions recipients are:

• Dade Delva, senior at Northbrook High School, is an Academic All-District football player, voted Team Captain his junior year. Throughout his high school career, he also played basketball and ran track, and in 2023, he was named to the A/B Honor Roll. Off the field, Dade volunteers at a local Veterans of Foreign Wars center and has managed working as well. Though faced with adversity, Dade has an inspiring focus on setting himself up for success in the next chapter of his life.
• Hagen Greenberg, senior at Sweeny High School, has played multiple sports since his sophomore year. He completed his freshman year of high school virtually and therefore did not have the opportunity to compete on any sports teams that year. However, the following year, he earned a spot on the varsity football team and junior varsity baseball team. In his junior year, Hagan was a starter for both teams and was named Defensive Team Captain by his football team as a senior. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and helps support the school’s annual blood drive.
• Avary Grover, senior at Foster High School, is a member of the varsity diving and cheerleading teams, achieving Academic All-District in diving all four years and cheerleading co-captain her senior year. Avary has overcome hardship with bravery and tackled anything that comes her way. She is actively involved in her school’s National Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and is in the top 6% of her graduating class.
• Da’Vaughn Johnson, senior at Furr High School, is one of the best football players in his district, being named to 1^st Team All-Defense and leading his team in tackles. He is very passionate about furthering his future and has taken steps to ensure he is head and shoulders above the rest. Da’Vaughn has completed industry certifications and actively volunteers in his community at the Houston Food Bank and his high school agriculture program.
• Brooke Jackson, senior at Seven Lakes High School, is a nationally recognized track star. In the 2021 and 2022 school years, she was named the USA Track and Field National Champion in the 100-meter dash, a monumental achievement for high school track athletes. Her athletic accolades do not stop there, as she was named a five-time Junior Olympian and an eight-time All American. She is in the National Honor Society, College Board National Recognition Program, and is the Vice President of the Family, Career & Community Leaders of America Club. She has volunteered 100 hours each year of her high school career and plans to attend Princeton University in the fall.
• Akyrah King, senior at Hempstead High School, is a four-year varsity volleyball player, receiving Honorable Mention, Second Team All-District two years in a row. Her academic achievements also landed her on the athletic Honor Roll and All-District Academics. In her free time, Akyrah enjoys volunteering with early childhood programs and volleyball camps, bringing her passion to the younger generation. Through her personal experiences, she has continued to show resilience and aims to bring hope to others.

For more information about the program, visit Reliant.com/SFC.

About Reliant, an NRG company

Reliant makes power personal - that's why homes and businesses trust Reliant not only as a provider of electricity, but also as a pillar of support in the communities we serve. From a best-in-class app to breakthrough innovations, Reliant is recognized nationally for outstanding customer service and as the leader in the evolving energy space with offerings that span from EV solutions to solar insights to smart home experiences. As part of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 energy and home services company, our purpose is to power a brighter future together, one that is safe, smart and sustainable. For more information about Reliant, visit reliant.com and connect with Reliant on Facebook at facebook.com/reliantenergy and X or Instagram @reliantenergy. PUCT Certificate #10007.