From the Classroom to the Field: Reliant and Houston Texans Award $60,000 in Scholarships to Six Exceptional Student-Athletes

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This week, Reliant and the Houston Texans teamed up to surprise six high school seniors with a head start on their collegiate journeys through Reliant’s Scholarships for Champions program. In recognition of the student-athletes’ hard work – both on and off the field – the electricity provider and Texans surprised the student-athletes with $10,000 scholarships and a unique “player for a day” experience.

Over nearly two decades, 140 Houston-area student athletes have been awarded more than $780,000 in scholarships. These champions have gone on to excel in a diverse range of careers, including at NASA, physicians in training at leading hospital systems, directors of IT, public service, military service members, occupational therapists, data scientists and more.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate the Reliant and Houston Texans’ Scholarships for Champions program and to recognize the remarkable support the scholarships have provided to deserving Houston-area high school seniors,” said Mark Parsons, senior vice president, Reliant. “Their stories highlight the power of education and athletic excellence, and we’re honored to play a small part in their journey to becoming leaders in their communities and beyond.”

Scholarships for Champions honors students who demonstrate excellence in athletics, academics, and community involvement through their leadership, academic performance and volunteer efforts. Nominated by their teachers, coaches and mentors, these student-athletes consistently demonstrate exceptional dedication and resilience.

Meet the 2025 Class

The 2025 scholarship recipients come from Houston, Sealy and Tomball ISDs and St. Agnes Academy, showcasing their talents in a wide range of sports, including golf, baseball, water polo, football, swimming, softball, girls flag football, and soccer. Following the surprise check presentations, the students and their supporters had the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive tour of the Houston Texans’ facilities and an inspirational Q&A session with Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and Texans Legend Cecil Shorts, before enjoying dinner in NRG Stadium.

The 2025 Scholarship for Champions recipients are:

• Hannah Cole, senior at Westside High School, is in the top 3% of her class and holds a 4-year letterman in softball and swimming and a 3-year letterman in water polo. As captain of all three teams, she leads with a strong work ethic and positive attitude. She continues to excel in both academics and sports, showing incredible resilience and leadership.
• Laila Holloway, senior at St. Agnes Academy, is a standout student-athlete, earning honors like USA Water Polo Academic All-American and AP Scholar with Honor. She even led her club team to a bronze medal at the 2024 USA Water Polo Junior Olympics and was named MVP. Laila is a strong leader in Jack and Jill of America, a leadership organization supporting African American mothers and their children, serving as Teen Vice President and holding other key roles throughout her tenure.
• Aiden Martin, senior at Tomball Memorial High School, is a dedicated student-athlete who has earned multiple honors in football including Academic All-District, All-District Offensive MVP and First Team All-District Quarterback in 2023 and 2024. Aiden has been recognized as the TMHS Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and Team MVP in 2024. Beyond athletics, he has completed over 200 hours of community service.
• Jonathan Martinez, senior at Energized for STEM Academy, is the captain of the varsity soccer team, leading them to the semifinals, and is involved in student council, TAME (Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering) and ROTC. Outside of the classroom, he helps his parents with their business, further demonstrating his impressive work ethic. He is ranked at the top of his class and aims to pursue a career in finance.
• Colby Nedd, senior at Sealy High School, is in the top 10% of his graduating class and excels both academically and athletically. He has been a key player on the varsity golf and baseball teams, earning the Superlative Fighting Heart Award for his perseverance. Colby maintains all “A’s” and is enrolled in dual credit and AP courses through Blinn College and the University of Texas.
• Jeyssa Rodriguez, senior at Sam Houston Math, Science & Technology Center, is a dedicated leader, serving as Vice President of the Campus Culture Committee and participating in organizations like National Honor Society. She is the captain of her flag football team and competes in track, cross country, dance, and cheer. She is determined to become a first-generation college graduate and serve others as a nurse.

For more information about the program, visit Reliant.com/SFC.

About Reliant, an NRG company
Reliant makes power personal - that's why homes and businesses trust Reliant not only as a provider of electricity, but also as a pillar of support in the communities we serve. From a best-in-class app to breakthrough innovations, Reliant is recognized nationally for outstanding customer service and as the leader in the evolving energy space with offerings that span from EV solutions to solar insights to smart home experiences. As part of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 energy and home services company, our purpose is to power a brighter future together, one that is safe, smart and sustainable. For more information about Reliant, visit reliant.com and connect with Reliant on Facebook at facebook.com/reliantenergy and X or Instagram @reliantenergy. PUCT Certificate #10007.