CITGO Lemont Refinery Promotes Higher Education through STEM Scholarships

LEMONT, Ill., Oct. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifteen college-bound students from three Lemont area high schools were awarded a CITGO Fueling Education Scholarship for excellence in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The students received their award from Peter Collarelli, Government and Public Affairs Manager and were recognized by their peers during a school assembly.

This year, five students from each of the three schools received a scholarship from CITGO: 

• Misbah Chagpar, Lemont High School
• Colette Kelly, Lemont High School
• Jenna Molaro, Lemont High School
• Sarah O'Donnell, Lemont High School
• Margo Saucedo, Lemont High School
• Jacob Bohde, Lockport High School
• Amber Casas, Lockport High School
• Christopher Sulich, Lockport High School
• Matthew Tague, Lockport High School
• McKinley Timm, Lockport High School
• Ian Irvine, Romeoville High School
• Alameen Kamara, Romeoville High School
• David Lawrence Mancol, Romeoville High School
• Isabel Joyce Ruiz, Romeoville High School
• Nathaniel Zipperich, Romeoville High School

"The CITGO Lemont Refinery has been operating in the state of Illinois for more than 90 years. Being a loyal neighbor means investing in the future of our young people. Our hope is that on day, these students will bring their education and knowledge back to their communities," said General Manager and Vice President of the CITGO Lemont Refinery, Jim Cristman.

CITGO proudly supports higher education opportunities by awarding scholarships to many students who are pursuing STEM degrees. CITGO is also committed to facilitating educational programs that encourage students to explore STEM concepts. In 2015, CITGO brought educators from Illinois, as well as Louisiana and Texas aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus with the Ocean Exploration Trust to give them first-hand deep-sea exploration research and educational experience that they then delivered back to their classrooms. Additionally, CITGO employees at three refineries across the country are actively involved in local schools, enhancing students' STEM education through assistance with hands-on experiences including robotics competitions, technology fairs, presentations and career days.

About the CITGO Lemont Refinery

For over 90 years, CITGO Lemont Refinery has employed more than 750 Chicago area residents on a full-time and contract basis in support of the local economy. In addition to producing high quality fuels for a large portion of the network of nearly 5,500 locally-owned CITGO stations across the country, Lemont Refinery employees also make a major positive impact on the community. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer hours and thousands of dollars are given in support of community programs such as Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way and a variety of environmental and preservation programs. Operations at the Lemont Refinery began in 1925 with a major expansion, doubling the facility, in 1933. Over the years, new units were added to meet the demand for a better quality of gas for automobiles, aviation fuel for WWII, and the production of asphalt. Petróleos de Venezuela, PDVSA, acquired 100% ownership of the refinery in 1997 and began operations as CITGO Lemont Refinery. For more information, visit www.citgorefining.com/Lemont.

About CITGO

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation