Tenaris Media Relations
Tenaris recognized 15 graduating seniors from Matagorda County high schools with Roberto Rocca scholarships totaling $204,000, celebrating the 13th year of the program in Texas.
The ceremony took place Wednesday, May 20, at Tenaris’s Bay City facility, where one Student of the Year received $60,000 scholarship.
In addition, six students earned Merit Awards of $20,000 each, and eight runners up were each awarded $3,000 scholarships.
“We hope these scholarships not only help you pursue your degree but also encourage you to return and help us strengthen Matagorda County,” said Guillermo Moreno, Tenaris U.S. President.
“There is a space for you here at Tenaris or one of the other industries in the area. We’re working to define the future of manufacturing, something we hope to pass on to smart, motivated young professionals like you.”
Makayla Alford from Van Vleck High School was honored with the Student of the Year Award.
Alford plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, crediting her father as the inspiration behind her passion for the outdoors and the environment.
“He used to always take us hunting, fishing, and teach us everything about the outdoors,” said Alford, “I love learning about how everything is interconnected and hope to make a real difference bettering the environment.”
The six Merit Award winners were recognized for their outstanding academic performance and for their
pursuit of careers in a STEM-related field: Grant Friesenhahn and Adelynn Tidwell from Bay City High
School; Pamela Lule and Paola Lule from Palacios Junior Senior High School; Jaxon Talbert from
Tidehaven High School; and Haylee Creager from Van Vleck High School.
“Along with our visionary partners like Tenaris, it is incumbent upon all of us here in Matagorda
County to create an educational environment for our youth that will empower rather than enable,”
Matagorda County Judge Bobby Seiferman said.
“Our economic growth will be the return on that investment.”
Supporting education for students in Matagorda County continues to be a key focus for Tenaris.
Since beginning construction on its seamless pipe mill in 2013, the company has contributed more than $4 million to educational initiatives in the county, including funding 193 scholarships.
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Tenaris is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of steel pipe products and related services for the world’s energy industry and other industrial applications.
Our customers include most of the world’s leading oil and gas companies and our revenues amounted to US $12 billion in 2025. Employing around 25,000 people worldwide, we operate an integrated network of steel pipe manufacturing,
research, finishing and service facilities with industrial operations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa and a direct presence in most major oil and gas markets.