Ascend Cares awards 23 scholarships totaling $46,000

The Ascend Cares Community Scholarships were awarded to all 23 candidates who applied, thanks to a substantial one-time gift to the Ascend Cares Foundation, which supports the scholarship program. We are excited to announce that each applicant will receive a $2,000 award for a total of $46,000 in scholarships.

The foundation awarded its first scholarships in 2015. It was such a success that Ascend Cares decided to double the number scholarships to 10. However, after reviewing this year’s applications, it was clear all 23 applicants were outstanding candidates.

The Ascend Cares Foundation received an anonymous one-time gift late last year and the foundation board decided to make an unprecedented decision to use the additional funds to help as many students as possible achieve their educational goals.

Candidates were selected based on their academic achievements and community service involvement. Each of this year’s applicants met the academic criteria, wrote great essays describing their community service experiences and had outstanding letters of recommendation. We are proud of each student and wish them success in college.  We also commend the parents of every student who applied as we know they provided the support that enabled their success.

The Ascend Cares scholarships are made possible by Ascend team members through generous donations and by support from the company in matching funds.

2016 Scholarships winners:

Chocolate Bayou

Alexis Hudson of Friendswood, 18, a graduate of Friendswood High School. In school, Alexis was a member of Trigonometry Club, Spanish Club, Health Occupations Students of America and the soccer team. Outside of school, she was involved in Space City Football Club, Friendswood Summer Day Camp and the City of Friendswood’s Fun Run. Alexis plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall and major in biochemistry. Her parents are Diane and Kenneth Hudson. Diane Hudson is an electrical engineer at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Alvin.

Kate Kaiser of Santa Fe, 18, a graduate of Santa Fe High School. In school, Kate played flute and drums in the band and was a member of student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and Peer Assistance Leadership. Outside of school, she volunteered at a camp for Gulf Coast Four Square Church in Hitchcock, was a counselor and lifeguard at Highland Creek Camp and worked at the YMCA. Kate plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall and major in nursing. Her parents are Jill and Scott Kaiser. Scott Kaiser is a process technician at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Alvin.

Shalini Lakshmi, 18, a graduate of Alvin High School. In school, Shalini was a member of Art Club, Book Club, National Honor Society and Interact Club. Outside of school, she organized summer campus events at Alvin Community College, assisted in the Alvin Public Library’s summer reading program and worked in the human resources department of Memorial Hermann Hospital. Shalini’s parents are Giri and Vani Lakshmi. Giri Lakshmi works in operations at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Alvin.

Meredith Manis, 18, a graduate of Alvin High School. Meredith took college classes while in high school and simultaneously earned her high school diploma and associate's degree. She plans to study the sonography program at ACC in the fall. Meredith’s parents are Debra and Brian Manis. Brian Manis is a research assistant at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Alvin.

Stephanie Pulley of Santa Fe, 19, a graduate of Santa Fe High School. In school, Stephanie played guard on the basketball team and was a member of Peer Assistance Leadership. Outside of school, she coached a little league basketball team in Santa Fe and volunteered for Toys for Tots. Stephanie plans to attend the College of the Mainland in the fall and major in psychology. Her parents are Kristine and Stephen Pulley. Stephen Pulley is a processor at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Alvin.

Olivia Simpson, 20, a student at Alvin Community College (ACC). Olivia recently graduated from ACC with an associate’s degree in office administration and continues to take classes there. In school, she volunteered at ACC Can Feed the Hungry and ACC’s Fall Carnival. Olivia’s parents are Mary and Jon Simpson. Jon Simpson works as a processor at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Alvin.

Decatur

Alwyn Ambrose of Decatur, 18, a graduate of Austin High School. In school, Alwyn was a member of the band, National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Tri M Music Society and the swim team. Outside of school, she was active in the Girl Scouts and the Decatur Swim Team. Alwyn plans to attend Mississippi State University in the fall semester and major in environmental engineering. Her parents are Joan McKenna and Phil Ambrose. Joan McKenna is a chemical engineer at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Decatur.

Davis Bowman of Madison, 18, a graduate of James Clemons High School. In school, Davis was a member of the football and baseball teams and was a Student Superintendent Scholar. Outside of school, he volunteered at Madison Adaptive Sports Program, a sports program for the physically challenged. Davis plans to attend Auburn University in the fall and major in mechanical engineering. Davis’s parents are Alicia and Barry Bowman. Barry Bowman is a process engineering leader at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Decatur.

Tayler Daniel of Tuscumbia, 18, a graduate of Muscle Shoals High School. In school, Taylor was President of Anchor Club, a service organization, a member of the student council and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. Tayler also played on the two-time state champion school golf team. Outside of school, she was a youth leader at Grace Life Church and volunteered for The Healing Place Tournament. She plans to attend the University of North Alabama in the fall semester and major in elementary education. Tayler’s parents are Shelley and Derek Daniel. Derek Daniel is a processor at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Decatur.

Kelsey Rae Walling of Danville, 20, a junior at Jacksonville State University. Kelsey is a member of the school’s track team, Phi Mu Fraternity and Sigma Alpha Pi leadership honor society. She is studying communications and public relations. Outside of school, she is active at No Fences Cowboy Church and has volunteered for Street Reach Ministry, Disciple Now and the Children’s Miracle Network. Kelsey’s parents are Kristal and Brent Walling. Brent Walling is a chemical operator at the Ascend Performance Materials Plant in Decatur.

Houston

Smrithi Raja Ramachandran of Houston, 17, graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School and will use the money to study psychology and public health at Emory University in the fall semester. At Stephen F. Austin High School, Ramachandran was a member of the National Honor Society, Choir, the Spanish NHS language club and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). Outside of school, Smrithi was an active volunteer with Child Protective Services and Youth Expanding Services. Ramachandran’s parents are Sangeeta and Raja Ramachandran. Raja Ramachandran is a commercial finance director at Ascend’s company headquarters in Houston.

Pensacola

Eriel Adams of Pensacola, 17, a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. Eriel was a member of the Jayettes community service organization and the Charmettes etiquette club. She plans to attend the University of West Florida in the fall semester and study pre-professional biology. Eriel’s parents are Sandy and Eric Adams. Sandy Adams is an accounting analyst at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Cortni Cameron of Pace, 18, a graduate of Pace High School. In school, Cortni was a member of the Beta Club, the Rotary Club, the weight lifting team and was a cheerleader. Outside of school, she was a coach at the Pace Athletic Recreational Association. She plans to attend Pensacola State College in the fall semester and major in biochemistry. Cortni’s parents are Chastity and Todd Cameron. Todd Cameron is a processor at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Ryan Cawby of Pensacola, 18, a graduate of Tate High School. In school, Ryan played trumpet in the band and was a member of Future Educators of America. Outside of school, he played lacrosse in the Gonzalez Recreational League. He plans to attend the University of West Florida in the fall semester and major in business. Ryan’s parents are Paula and Jason Cawby. Jason Cawby is a mechanic at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Julia Grissett of Pensacola, 18, a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. In school, Julia was a member of the Jayettes community service organization, National Honor Society and the Marine Science Academy. Outside of school, she coached volleyball for the Pensacola Recreation League and was a member of the youth group at First United Methodist Church of Pensacola. She plans to attend the University of Florida in the fall semester and major in civil engineering. Julia’s parents are Debbie and Mike Grissett. Michael Grissett is a manufacturing supervisor at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Michael Johnson of Pensacola, 18, a graduate of Pensacola High School. In school, Michael was a member of the swim team, National Honor Society and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, where he organized projects for Habitat for Humanity. Outside of school, Michael volunteered as a swim teacher at the Naval Air Station. He plans to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy in the fall semester and major in electrical engineering. Michael’s parents are Emma and Robert Johnson. Robert Johnson is a technician at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Abri’ McDaniel of Cantonment, 17, a graduate of West Florida High School of Advanced Technology in Pensacola. In school, Abri’ was a varsity cheerleader and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Outside of school, Abri’ was active at the Ronald McDonald House, the NAACP’s Youth Council and the Charmettes etiquette club. She plans to attend Troy University in Alabama in the fall semester. Abri’s parents are Twana and Donald McDaniel. Donald McDaniel is a processor at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Jacob Norre of Cantonment, 18, a graduate of Tate High School. In school, Jacob was a member of the Beta Club, the National Science Honor Society and the school’s band, where he played drums and saxophone. Outside of school, he was an Eagle Scout and volunteered in The Miracle League. Jacob plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall semester and major in aerospace engineering. His parents are Michael and Cathy Norre. Michael Norre is a project engineer at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Bailee Reeder of Pensacola, 18, a graduate of Tate High School. In school, Bailee was a member of Student Government, Beta Club, the soccer and volleyball teams, Spanish Club and National Science Honor Society. Outside of school, she is a member of Bulla Baptist Church. She plans to attend Pensacola State College in the fall. Bailee’s parents are Dana and Justin Reeder. Justin Reeder is a processor lead at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Jonathan Rodgers of Pensacola, 17, a student at the George Stone Technical School. Jonathan is a member of the local 4H agricultural club and is active in his church, Charity Chapel. Jonathan’s parents are Christine and Michael Rodgers. Michael Rodgers is a technician at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Shelby Willett of Milton, 19, a junior at the University of Mobile. Shelby is majoring in elementary education and is a member of the school’s softball team. She is a graduate of Milton High School and has gone on several mission trips with Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton. Shelby’s parents are Phillip and Casey Willett. Phillip Willett is a mechanic at the Ascend Performance Materials Plant in Cantonment.

Zachary Womack of Milton, 18, a graduate of Milton High School. Zachary was a defensive lineman on the school’s football team. Outside of school, he volunteered with Christian Life Church Youth Group, Waterfront Rescue Mission and the Ronald McDonald House. He plans to attend the University of West Florida in the fall semester. Zachary’s parents are Valeria and Jeffery Womack. Jeffery Womack is a mechanic at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.

Allison Woodfin of Molino, 18, a graduate of West Florida High School of Advanced Technology. In school, Allison was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Future Farmers of America. Outside of school, she raised show pigs as part of the 4H agricultural club. She plans to attend Troy University in the fall semester and major in communications. Allison’s parents are Jennifer and Walt Woodfin. Walt Woodfin is a scheduler at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.