Star-Studded Virtual Celebration for 2020 Scholarship Recipients

What do Houston’s First Daughter, Paul Wall , and a veteran television host have in common? They were all part of a special virtual celebration awarding $75,000 to Comcast Houston’s 2020 Leaders and Achievers Scholarship recipients.

Comcast, joined by Shannon LaNier, Anchor for  CW39 Morning Dose, recognized 30 Texas Seniors at a unique online event, Thursday, June 18. This event was a way to celebrate and acknowledge the accomplishments of these outstanding scholars for being winners of the 2020-21 Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program.

The event kicked off with a message from Cyndy Garza Roberts, Community Impact Director of Comcast’s Houston Region, welcoming the students and parents to the online event.

We are honored to recognize the amazing achievements of our Leaders and Achievers scholarship winners,” shared Cyndy Garza Roberts, Community Impact Director, Comcast Houston Region. “Each of them is the top in their class, and leaders in the community and among their peers. They represent our future, and we at Comcast NBCUniversal are proud to support them.”

Host of the celebration, Shannon LaNier kept the online attendees engaged and entertained, while parents, students, and Comcast employees flooded the chat box with words of encouragement and celebratory banter. As the program progressed, the students were encouraged to get social, using items they had received in a celebration box, which consisted of a sash, mug and yard signage announcing them as recipients of the award.

Little did the students know, they were in for a special treat. Houston’s First Daughter, Ashley Turner joined the conversation and shared her experiences and encouraging words for the students. Students and parents were actively engaged, as Ashley shared her nuggets of wisdom.

There may be a lot going on in the world around you, but now is the perfect time to look at your perspective,” shared Turner. “The world is waiting on you, overcoming is your decision, you have the power to not only write the map, but you get to write the instructions as well.”

The surprises did not end there! Houston based rapper, Paul Wall, affectionately known as “The People’s Champ” sent in his well wishes for the scholars as well. Adorned in his $40k grill and standing in front of his candy painted Cadillac, he wished the Leaders and Achievers scholars and the class of 2020 – “Much success” – the cheers and elation of the online experience jolted.

Following Paul Wall, Debra Messing, best known for her role on NBC’s Will and Grace shared a heartwarming video message with advice. After a few school shout-outs, and a brief Q&A, the celebration wrapped with cheers and elation.

To keep the celebration going, KKBQ, KODA and KRBE will salute the scholars on air the week of June 29^th.

Students are selected for their outstanding community service, academic performance, and leadership skills. The award, funded by the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, is a one-time, $2,500 scholarship to be used toward undergraduate education-related expenses. Since 2001, about $33 million has been awarded to about 30,000 high school seniors across the country as part of the Leaders and Achievers program.

To Learn More about the program visit: HERE