PWP High School Scholarship Winners Announced



Pasadena’s Water and Power Department (PWP) tapped into the power of creativity this spring, awarding $6,000 as part of its first PWP Educational Scholarships to high school seniors Ashley Storms and William O’Keeffe. The winners were announced at the Pasadena Earth & Arts Festival Saturday, May 3 at Memorial Park.

Storms earned the top prize of $5,000 for her essay advocating the use of solar, wind and water power to meet the country’s energy needs and curb global warming. A Pasadena native and senior at Marshall Fundamental High School, she is a member of the school Color Guard and Key Club, and a student representative for Marshall’s Black Student Union.

Her busy school schedule includes several Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and she is known among the Marshall faculty as a talented writer; a smart, dedicated, tenacious student and a delightful individual. Storms has selected Humboldt State University for its focus on sustainability. She plans to major in Wildlife Management and Conservation, with dreams of becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist.

O’Keeffe earned the second-place award of $1,000 with his essay on using social media and a statewide “Water Fast” campaign to promote water conservation. A senior at Blair High School and captain of the varsity basketball team, O’Keeffe has impressed teachers with his creativity, big personality, love of learning and strong scores on tough AP exams in American History and Politics.

With a passion for reading, learning about different cultures and world history, O’Keeffe plans to study history at Gonzaga University this fall, with hopes of becoming a history professor.

“Our sincere congratulations go to these outstanding Pasadena students,” PWP General Manager Phyllis E. Currie said. “PWP is committed to supporting our city’s youth and preparing the next generation for higher education and the workforce. We are especially proud to help send these two very talented students out into the world to represent the City of Pasadena.”

Open to all Pasadena Unified School District high school seniors, the scholarship competition challenged students to devise new ways to create a sustainable future. Applicants were required to write a 300-500 word essay on the topic of water conservation or renewable energy.

The next PWP Educational Scholarship competition will be announced in early 2015.

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