Earlier today, OGE Energy Corp. Foundation, Inc. announced Southeast High School senior Jorge Merino as one of its 2023 OGE Positive Energy Scholars. As a Positive Energy Scholar, Jorge will receive a total of $60,000 in scholarship funds over four years to cover tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board.

Classmates, school administrators, teachers, mentors, representatives from Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. (OG&E), State Sen. Michael Brooks and other members of the community gathered at Southeast High School to surprise Jorge, celebrate his academic accomplishments and cheer him on as OG&E officials surprised him with the scholarship award. Thanks to the financial assistance provided from the Positive Energy Scholarship, Jorge can now attend the University of Oklahoma and major in computer science & programming without the financial burden often associated with obtaining higher education.

“Congratulations to Jorge, one of our 2023 Positive Energy Scholars and the first-ever winner from Oklahoma City Public Schools," said Sean Trauschke, OGE Energy Corp. Chairman, President and CEO. “Jorge embodies the ideal qualities of a diligent and well-rounded student, and it is an honor to present him with this meaningful scholarship and support him during his college career. We are thrilled to play a role in bolstering our state’s STEM workforce by empowering tomorrow's leaders and trailblazers.”

Jorge was selected as one of this year’s Positive Energy Scholars from a competitive pool of more than 200 applicants. In addition to his academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities and community service, Jorge’s commitment to learning and passion for technology impressed the PES selection committee.

“Jorge is a kind, hard-working and motivated student,” said Mary Tran, a former STEM teacher at the Metro Technology Center’s Computer Science Academy who nominated Jorge for this award. “Despite the many hardships and obstacles, he’s experienced, he never let these barriers get in the way of his dreams or affect the ever-present smile on his face. I cannot think of another student who deserves this honor as much as him.”

Jorge is an active member of the Technology Student Association, where he served as Team Leader for three consecutive years in the annual Video Game Design Competition. Notably, in 2021, his team placed second in the statewide competition, and in 2022, the team placed third on a statewide level and eighth at nationals. An advocate for raising awareness and creating solutions for food insecurity, Jorge is a frequent volunteer for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. In his free time, Jorge enjoys building computers, exercising, designing games, developing software and learning new things.

“When we invest in local students, we are investing in the future well-being of our state,” said Alba Weaver, OG&E Senior Manager of Local and Community Affairs. “Providing financial assistance to well-deserving students opens up doors of opportunities that might otherwise remain closed. This impactful initiative is one of many ways that OG&E energizes education in the communities it serves.”

Established in 2019, the OGE Positive Energy Scholarship empowers academically strong students to pursue a degree in a STEM-related major by providing critical financial need. Eligible students must meet specific criteria to be considered, including:

• Be a graduating high school senior from the OG&E service area.
• Attend a college in the states of Oklahoma or Arkansas.
• Have an unweighted grade point average greater than or equal to 3.25.
• Achieve an ACT score of greater than or equal to 25 and/or SAT score greater than or equal to 1200.

Since 2012, OG&E and the OGE Energy Corp. have provided more than $2 million in scholarships for more than 300 students in the OG&E service area. Since launching the Positive Energy Scholarship program, OGE Energy Corp. Foundation has awarded 15 Positive Energy Scholarships – totaling $720,000 – to high school seniors.

OG&E’s dedication to education investment is evident in the company’s continuous support to deserving students, teachers and schools. In addition to scholarships, the company also funds teacher projects, offers energy efficiency grants, provides classrooms with energy education materials and partners with educational institutions to cultivate a pipeline of strong industry professionals. To learn more about how OG&E invests in education across its service area, visit oge.com/education.