The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc.

02/01/2025

Our scholarship submission period starts February 1, 2025. All submissions are due by March 14, 2025 5pm CST. This is a great time to review and start preparing the required documents. Check the website for all the details at https://seef.org/apply-for-a-scholarship

08/29/2024

AVERY G. ALEXANDER is a graduate of the home school educational system with an exemplary 4.0 GPA, and scoring 33 on her ACT Composite, while maintaining dual enrollment through a local community college receiving A+ in those classes. She was a recipient of OMTA State Achievement Audition 2024Clarence Burg Award and ranked 1+ at Oklahoma Music Teachers Association State Piano Competition for four consecutive years. Additionally, Avery was V.P. of her chapter of National Home school Honor Society.

She states, “… responsibility is something I highly prioritize. Balancing schoolwork, dual enrollment, household chores, and my part-time jobs has taught me time management. Earning a college degree is a big endeavor, but I am confident that I have the skills needed to be successful.”

“All my life, I have loved science and everything about it.” declares Avery. She will pursue a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering toward the fulfillment of her dream to work for NASA one day.

08/29/2024

SOFIA M. FERMO graduated from Edison High School maintaining Honor Roll status for all four years. She lists her “Interests & Activities” as volunteering, leadership and philanthropy as evidenced by her participation in Youth Leadership Council, Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, Tulsa Community College City Lab, and Business Professionals of America. As Co-Facilitator of Youth Philanthropy Initiative she provided opportunities for her peers to build leadership skills, engage creatively, and develop STEM practices, showcasing her commitment to community engagement.

Sofia expressed, “I know that there is a lot of stigma around being unable to afford things that seem basic to others so I hope to tear down that stigma and make people feel more confident in their future and habits. So, I plan to build my knowledge throughout my college experience by attending informative community events and investment classes to educate others about investing.”

In the advancement of this pursuit, Sofia will major in Finance in university.

08/29/2024

NAIDELIN L. OROZCO is a graduate of Nathan Hale High School where she earned a notable 3.59 GPA and became a member of the National Technical Honor Society. Additionally, she was selected for the highly competitive Pharmacy Technician program at Tulsa Technology Center and invited to join The Health Occupations Students of America organization – all while working over thirty-five hours a week.

Living independently, her motivations were, “God, my family, and my teachers who had faith in me.” One recommendation letter is quoted saying, “Naidelin is a has lofty aspirations as she prepares to enter college. Her caring and compassionate nature will serve her well in her chosen profession. I am confident that there is nothing that will deter her from achieving her goals.”

Naidelin plans to pursue her desire to become a Registered Nurse.

08/29/2024

MIA VERA graduated from Nathan Hale High School with a 3.7 GPA, ranking in the top tier of her senior class. She concurrently completed Drafting coursework at Tulsa Technology Center, was a member of the National Honor Society, and participated in internship programs at two prestigious architectural firms who both offer high praise for her overall work ethic, dedication, and dependability.

Mia declares, “Having a dream is something important for everyone to have no matter how big or small. A dream will lead you in the future and will help you push through hard moments in your life.”

“Reducing the use of carbon and increasing the use of renewable energy to prevent more damage to the environment.” are career goals of Mia’s. She states, “I am eager to become an architect because only 1% of Latinas are in the field and only 23.3% are women.”

Mia will be pursuing her dream of becoming an Architectural Engineer while in college. ...Please click link below. https://seef.org/mia-vera/

12/13/2023

Our scholarship submission period starts February 1, 2024. All submissions are due by March 15, 2024 5pm CST. This is a great time to review and start preparing the required documents. Check the website for all the details at https://seef.org/apply-for-a-scholarship

12/01/2023

2023 Aspire Higher Event Join us on Wednesday December 6th, 2023, 5-7PM CST at Tulsa Downtown Central Library for an event by Young People of the Next Generation and The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc. to offer access to meet college recruiters, and learn about scholarships and grants. LEARN MORE at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aspire-higher-college-prep-scholarship-opportunities-tickets-758026677197?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl ...Please click link below.

Young People of the Next Generation and The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc., Tulsa Public Schools Parent Resource Center, and Street Schools have joined forces to host the “Aspire Higher” event on Wednesday, December 6 · 5 – 7pm CST at Downtown Central Library. A free event for Tulsa...

11/28/2023

Today is Giving Tuesday and your gift could change the life of a Tulsa-area student! The Simon Estes Educational Foundation provides scholarships to students with demonstrated financial need, and we rely on your generosity to make that financial support possible. We know that higher education is a metric by which to gauge future financial stability. Be a part of making college accessible to the next generation. Give Now!

https://seef.org/donations/

11/24/2023

Co-founder Jayne Reed

In addition to her roles as Co-Founder, CEO, Chairwoman, and long-standing Adopt-A-Scholar sponsor of The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc., Ms. Reed has served her community as a board volunteer of the Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Urban League, YWCA, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, At Risk Child Abuse Prevention Program, and Operation Aware of Oklahoma. She is an alumna of Leadership Tulsa and former recipient of the Harwelden Award and Community Service Award from Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Society.
“I graduated from high school at age15 and went on to pursue a nursing degree and earned my Registered Nurse license in St. Louis, Missouri. After marrying I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and upon becoming a parent, I was often struck by the myriad of difficulties experienced by high school students in their desire to attend college. Over the years, their struggles provoked a yearning in my heart to help ease some of the limitations brought on by those financial constraints.
In 1983, I met Simon Estes and asked for his celebrity status in the formation of an organization to assist local graduating seniors to attain their dreams of higher education. Armed with Simon’s immediate willingness to join me in this effort, we organized a student assembly at McLain High School where students were invited to speak freely about the barriers preventing their prospects for attending college.
This encounter prompted me to convene a meeting of community leaders who shared my belief in the importance of education. Together we formed The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc., which comprised an all-volunteer, cross-strata Board of Directors to guide the operation of the organization.”
...Please click link below.

Young People of the Next Generation and The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc., Tulsa Public Schools Parent Resource Center, and Street Schools have joined forces to host the “Aspire Higher” event on Wednesday, December 6 · 5 – 7pm CST at Downtown Central Library. A free event for Tulsa...

11/24/2023

CEO The Rev. Glenna J. Huber

“I joined The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc. as its Chief Executive Officer to further the mission of the co-founders and to help ensure that their commitment to educational opportunities, especially for historically under-represented students in the Tulsa-area, continues.”
Utilizing her wide-ranging experience in a variety of neighborhoods, from affluent suburban to underserved and economically depressed, The Rev. Huber serves as a consultant for urban congregations on issues concerning the efficacy of community organizing in congregational development. She is a sought-out lecturer addressing such topics as Leadership in the Church and Community; Faith, Justice, and Systemic Injustice; Urban Poverty and Its Interrelated Effects on Education, Housing; Redlining; Race; and Reconciliation.
The Rev. Huber is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including Holland Hall School (Tulsa, Ok) Distinguished Alumni Award, Baltimore Police Department’s Community Service Award, Marylander of the Year, and honorable mention by The Baltimore Sun.
...Please click link below.

Young People of the Next Generation and The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc., Tulsa Public Schools Parent Resource Center, and Street Schools have joined forces to host the “Aspire Higher” event on Wednesday, December 6 · 5 – 7pm CST at Downtown Central Library. A free event for Tulsa...

11/24/2023

Board member Judith Blackwell

“I grew up in Tulsa, the daughter of an American Airlines mechanic; my family had no college graduates. I’m a proud product of Tulsa public schools, Nathan Hale High School and the University of Oklahoma Medical school, two medical residencies and a fellowship.
I’ve always been grateful for the tax supported education I received and for the scholarships that contributed to it. Without inspiration from the imaginations of others I could never have made the wonderful unexpected journey I made, nor used my talents so fully.
What a wonderful experience to meet Jayne Reed over 2 decades ago, talk about talents! I have long been grateful for the opportunities she and Simons Estes have created with the Simon Estes Educational Foundation, to help students not dissimilar from me all those decades ago. I contributed financially to this and other organizations in the past but now that I’m retired, still with skills and energy, and finally the time, I’ve committed to being part of the board.
After a year on the board I find it most remarkable that the scholarships have been funded for 40 years. The work involved to fund the scholarships and identify students who can best utilize them is a lot of work, year in and year out, and Jayne Reed and Simon Estes have been the linchpins of the undertaking for 40 years!
I’m grateful and I want to express that gratitude in action, by providing some of the work to continue SEEF’s mission.”
...Please click link below.

Young People of the Next Generation and The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc., Tulsa Public Schools Parent Resource Center, and Street Schools have joined forces to host the “Aspire Higher” event on Wednesday, December 6 · 5 – 7pm CST at Downtown Central Library. A free event for Tulsa...

11/24/2023

Board member Toneille Bent

“I’ve heard of the foundation since my own youth, and was thrilled to know that this work continues to today. As a former educator, a woman of color, and a community member who still serves in education spaces, serving with an organization devoted to supporting and advancing young people in education access and opportunities aligns entirely with my personal values and passions.”
Toneille is the Vice President of New Site Development for City Year, an education nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students and schools succeed.

...Please click link below.

Young People of the Next Generation and The Simon Estes Educational Foundation, Inc., Tulsa Public Schools Parent Resource Center, and Street Schools have joined forces to host the “Aspire Higher” event on Wednesday, December 6 · 5 – 7pm CST at Downtown Central Library. A free event for Tulsa...