MAYOR BILL WHITE, HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICIALS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ANNOUNCE CREATION OF THE NEW PETROLEUM ACADEMY AT MILBY HIGH SCHOOL
August 24, 2007 -- Mayor Bill White joined H.I.S.D officials & IPAA President Barry Russell to announce the establishment of the Academy of Petroleum Exploration & Production Technology at Milby High School. The Academy will begin in the Fall semester of 2008. The Academy is the first of four planned HISD advanced learning environments with a focus on all sectors of the petroleum industry. The Academy is sponsored by IPAA and its member organizations and associations.
IPAA President and Houston native Barry Russell is very enthusiastic about the timeliness and appropriateness of this academy. He states, “The average age in our industry is now 54.So, there has never been a better time for students to enter the energy industry. These schools will provide students the advanced placement math/science core curriculum that is needed to better understand the fundamentals of the energy industry, as well as the vast career opportunities that are now available to them. This program focuses on all sectors of this industry and includes the gifted non-college bound student plus those focusing on a 2 to 4 year degree plan.”
“It’s great to have the energy industry working hands on to build the intellectual capital in our city,” said Mayor White. “Investing in minds is the way Houston will continue to be one of America’s great cities for opportunity and growth, especially in the petroleum industry.
In preparation for the Academy, a beautification project, led by Doris Richardson, Director of Education for IPAA was recently completed on the Milby Campus. Richardson stated, “It was obvious to all 23 organizations who donated their time and expertise that this was more than a cosmetic effort. This was about creating a nurturing environment for our children to learn and to foster a true sense of community and pride.”
The beautification project included power washing Milby High School and landscaping the entire front school yard. Chevron Energy provided funding for the landscaping and many volunteers participated in the work.
IPAA is very appreciative of the support of the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce, Embark Trees & Landscaping, Diamond Pressure Washing, Wulfe & Co., Shell Oil, Open Door Mission, Young Professionals in Energy, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association’s Emerging Leaders, Baker Hughes, BH{ Billiton, Inteq, Subsea 7, Global Industries, Smith Industries, ODM, M-1 Swaco, and the Milby Alumni Association and Milby Student Council who partnered to create a welcoming environment for students returning to school this month.
Milby High School Principal Richard Barajas invites everyone to attend this press conference to meet Barry Russell, Mark Puckett, Chevron Energy Technology Company President and Mayor White and learn about the Independent Petroleum Academy and the powerful impact it will have on Houston area students in the pursuit of careers in the energy industry.
