Howard Hughes, the developer of the award-winning master planned community The Woodlands, has awarded two scholarships of $2,500 each to high school graduates in The Woodlands to pursue their college aspirations on behalf of the Howard Hughes Executive Club. The two scholarships are among more than 30 awarded this year, continuing an education tradition that the developer has funded since the 1980s.
The Howard Hughes Executive Club was established in 2019 in partnership with Howard Hughes and its largest office tenants to help support tomorrow’s leaders from our community. It recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit of two high school seniors in The Woodlands with scholarship opportunities. Entry criteria included an essay on developing a business in The Woodlands, which is judged by educational staff.
Nora Hiemer of The Woodlands High School and Kiersten Andino Garcia of The Woodlands College Park High School were the 2024 Howard Hughes Executive Club college scholarships winners.
Nora’s business idea is to create a café that employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The café would provide an opportunity to learn skills, feel accomplished and proud, and earn income for workers. By supporting individuals with disabilities and promoting acceptance and respect for our differences, the café would also create a more diverse and inclusive space for The Woodlands community.
Kiersten’s business idea is to create a self-serve smoothie bowl restaurant in The Woodlands. It would operate similarly to a frozen yogurt place but would offer a variety of smoothie blends and toppings, including dairy-free and sugar-free options. This restaurant would revolutionize smoothie bowls in The Woodlands and eventually expand with chains worldwide.
Nora plans to attend Texas Tech University, and Kiersten plans to attend Baylor University. Howard Hughes extends a huge congratulations to these young ladies and wishes them all the best as they pursue their goals of higher education.
