$60,000 OGE scholarship awarded to Southeast High School student Tuesday

Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman
·2 min read

Students, faculty, lawmakers and officials with Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. gathered at Southeast High School to celebrate a student's surprise scholarship late Tuesday morning.

Jorge Merino, a Southeast High School senior, received a $60,000 scholarship from the OGE Energy Corp. Foundation. The scholarship will go toward tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board over the course of four years.

"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," said Sean Trauschke, OG&E CEO, chairman and president. "We are thrilled to play a role in bolstering our state's STEM workforce by empowering tomorrow's leaders and trailblazers."

'There are no words': 3 Oklahoma students receive $60,000 OGE scholarships

Jorge Merino's family, Gabriel Merino, his brother; Raquel Merino, his mother; and Stephanie Escanilla, his sister, react as he thanks them. OG&E surprised Southeast High School senior Jorge Merino Tuesday with a Positive Energy scholarship to pursue higher education in Oklahoma.
Jorge Merino's family, Gabriel Merino, his brother; Raquel Merino, his mother; and Stephanie Escanilla, his sister, react as he thanks them. OG&E surprised Southeast High School senior Jorge Merino Tuesday with a Positive Energy scholarship to pursue higher education in Oklahoma.

Merino plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in computer science and programming. He was selected out of a pool of more than 200 applicants and is the first student from Oklahoma City Public Schools to win the scholarship, OG&E representatives said.

Merino is an active member of the Technology Student Association, where he led a team for three consecutive years in the annual Video Game Design Competition, placing second in the statewide competition in 2021 and eighth at a national competition in 2022. Merino also said he cares deeply about food insecurity and volunteers often for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. In his spare time, Merino builds computers, designs games, develops software and exercises regularly.

Merino's combined passion for academic excellence, community service and extracurricular activities impressed the 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 also nominated him for the scholarship. "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 Merino reacts to as he is told about the Positive Energy Scholar award. The scholarship, provided by OGE Energy Corp. Foundation, will provide $60,000 over the course of four years to help cover tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board.
Jorge Merino reacts to as he is told about the Positive Energy Scholar award. The scholarship, provided by OGE Energy Corp. Foundation, will provide $60,000 over the course of four years to help cover tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Southeast High School student awarded $60,000 scholarship Tuesday