Northside High School student surprised with $60,000 scholarship
by April 16, 2026 5:26 pm 881 views
Fort Smith Northside High School senior Anthony Mendez received a $60,000 scholarship from the Oklahoma City-based OG&E Positive Energy Scholarship program.
Fort Smith Northside High School senior Anthony Mendez received a $60,000 scholarship surprise Thursday (April 16) during a school assembly event. The scholarship is from Oklahoma City-based OG&E and its Positive Energy Scholarship program.
Mendez, a first-generation college student, plans to attend the University of Arkansas this fall to study mechanical engineering with a focus on energy systems and power-related applications, according to the OG&E press release. He hopes to pursue a career developing technologies that improve the reliability and efficiency of energy systems for communities.
Mendez has been involved in Northside’s Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC), the school bank, and National Honor Society. As a battalion executive officer, Mendez work with more than 400 cadets in the school’s JROTC program and attends community service and ceremonial events with the JROTC.
“Anthony’s passion for engineering and his perseverance in the face of challenges stood out to our selection committee,” Kelli Hayward Walsh, manager of community outreach and engagement at OG&E, said in a statement. “Students like Anthony are the future of the energy industry and the communities we serve. We are proud to support his journey as he pursues mechanical engineering and works toward building systems that power and strengthen communities.”
Mendez said the scholarship will allow him to focus on his studies and pursue career and leadership opportunities.
“Mechanical engineering gives me the chance to design, improve and maintain systems that communities rely on every day,” Mendez said. “Knowing that this financial support comes from a company dedicated to powering communities motivates me to work harder and give back through my future career in the energy field.”
The OG&E Positive Energy Scholarship, administered by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation on behalf of the OGE Energy Corp. Foundation, recognizes three high school seniors annually from OG&E’s service area who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and a commitment to their communities, and plan to pursue a degree in a STEM field.
The scholars receive $15,000 per year for up to four years — a total of $60,000 — to help cover tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board while attending college in Oklahoma or Arkansas. Mendez is one of three students selected as a 2026 OG&E Positive Energy Scholar from a pool of applicants who live in Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
OG&E, a subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp., has approximately 913,000 customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The company in 2025 had net income of $470.7 million, up 6.6% compared with $441.5 million in 2024.