BBB names two more local students as scholarship recipients

The Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast Texas and the BBB Consumer Education Foundation (CEF) are happy to announce that with the success of our Torch Awards held on June 10 at the Beaumont Civic Center, its sponsors and supporters, the organization was able to add two additional scholarships to our Student of Integrity program in 2021.

In the first year, BBB Southeast Texas awarded six individual $2,500 scholarships. However, with the lack of live fundraising events in 2020 only two scholarships were provided.

With the uncertainties of 2021, BBB Southeast Texas previously named only four local students as recipients: Brynn Baker, Lumberton High School; Lauren Eaves, West Brook High School; Kent Liu, West Brook High School; and Ashley Milentz, Liberty High School.

The additional two students to receive the 2021 Student of Integrity scholarships are: Grant Boudreaux of Bridge City High School and Hannah Peacock of Newton High School.

The honorees were selected by a team of independent judges from candidates representing an eight-and-a-half county region. The designees will receive a one-time, $2,500 scholarship payable to the college or university they will be attending in Fall 2021.

“One of the most rewarding activities of the BBB CEF is to help our local students as they pursue careers and continue to build their leadership skills through character ethics,” said Liz Fredrichs, BBB SETX CEO.  “We are grateful for the SETX business community that so generously supports our efforts to recognize these students.”

Grant will be attending Baylor University in the Fall and is interested in pursuing a degree in business, medicine or law. He would like to play basketball, participate in student government and complete a study abroad program. Grant plans to work hard to not only have a successful career but also to be able to give back to the community. Grant was named Mr. Bridge City High School by his classmates.

Hannah will be attending Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches for her first year while pursuing her Bachelor’s in Nursing. She plans to complete her core classes and prerequisites at SFA and then transferring to Baylor University to complete her BSN. Hannah has been a nurse’s aide since the Spring of 2020, assisting in a nursing home during the height of the pandemic. Hannah served as the 2021 Valedictorian for Newton High School.

"We are so excited and grateful for the generosity and support from Southeast Texas of our 2021 Torch Awards, said Leslie Harrison, BBB CEF Chair. “Honoring these students and being able to add two additional scholarship recipients is exactly what we hope for.”

BBB’s Student of Integrity scholarship program is funded by the BBB Consumer Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit of BBB Serving Southeast Texas. BBB offers special thanks to the 2021 Torch Sponsors: Ashley Furniture, Classic Southeast Texas Auto Group, Function4/Star Graphics, Howell Furniture and Newtron. In addition, thanks to those that donated and participated in our online and live auctions.