Second Annual DiversityFIRST™ Scholarship Awards Dinner

 Richland Collegiate High School

Plano

University of Miami

“Diversity is refreshing.  It is what makes this world turn, and what makes it interesting as it does….Diversity thrives in inclusion, and subsequently dies in exclusion.”

 Wagner High School

San Antonio

Texas A&M University

Not Applicable

 Atascocita High School

Humble

Georgetown University

“Diversity is the basis of our society.  It has helped shape who we are as people and what we have become.  America, for example, was built on its diversity…I believe, that if everyone interacts with diverse people, they will become more informed, thus making our whole world more aware of each other.”

 M.B. Lamar High School

Missouri City

University of Southern California

Not Applicable

 Sandra Day O'Connor High School

San Antonio

The University of Houston

“Both diversity and inclusion form the backbone in maintaining society’s internal balance.  The compassion and respect within each gesture, conversation or any form of human interaction results in diversity and inclusion’s guidance toward an ethical realm of acceptance.”

 Stephen F. Austin High School

Austin

Texas State University

“A successful relationship, whether it be with friends, family, or people we just met requires a feeling of acceptance or inclusion.  Conversation starts off with the ‘get to know’ questions [,] which instantly displays differences among people.  Society functions on these differences, ideas are never the same so people are always able to learn from each other.”

 Stephen F. Austin High School

Austin

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institue

“The primary benefit I have witnessed of diversity is the openness it creates in those exposed to it.  It breaks down the stereotypes and grudges that people might instinctively have had before they can be reinforced.”

 Saint Agnes Academy

Houston

Boston University

 “At this time in the world, the embracing of diversity is vital because as more and more people are coming in contact with each other, accepting the cultural diversity of peoples is vital in being able to share ideas, offering our talents and skills to one another, and creating a more pluralistic identity for the world.”

 James Bowie High School

Austin

The University of Texas at Austin

 Lehman High School

Kyle

Tarleton State University