News Briefs

Thanks to employee donations and strong corporate and educational partnerships, the Stars on the Rise scholarship program raised $2.39 million to distribute to deserving area high school graduates. Rick Ortiz, president/CEO of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC), said that in the 34 years of the program, 4,100 students have benefited from $34.5 million in scholarships. “Most of the scholars come from here. This has been a longstanding partnership that we’re very proud of,” Ortiz said of Dallas ISD. “We couldn’t have done it without our sponsors and donors.” Don Pérez. chairman of the GDHCC board, said that the numbers…

The Dallas ISD Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Department is offering more than 40 free summer camps over the next month. The camps range from forensics and environmental engineering to 3D printing and video game programming. The camps will be held at schools across the district. Go here to see a full list of the free STEM summer camps. Families can contact the summer camp campus coordinator to determine availability.

Volunteers from advertising agency Publicis Hawkeye teamed up with Frederick Douglass Elementary School to celebrate Superhero Field Day during the last week of school. The idea was to encourage students to form healthy habits through integrating physical fitness and nutrition into their daily lives. Publicis Hawkeye had more than 25 volunteers for the event and donated T-shirts, water bottles and materials for a cape-making station.

The United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point will provide sessions at select Dallas ISD Leadership Cadet Corps summer camps. Space is limited for USMA’s STEM Camps, with 35-40 spots available at each site. West Point’s sessions will be at the following locations: • June 5, Billy Earl Dade Middle School, 972-799-3800 • June 6, E.D. Walker Middle School, 972-502-6100 • June 7, Seagoville Middle School, 972-892-7100 • June 8, Henry W. Longfellow Middle School, 972-749-5400 For information on the camps, call the specific campus.