TPGA Awards Nearly $20,000 in Scholarships for 2021

For nearly 25 years, the TPGA Scholarship Foundation has assisted parents who work in the propane industry with tuition assistance, awarding over $150,000 in scholarships over the years. Through the association scholarship program, TPGA members’ children and grandchildren continue to get relief from the high costs of seeking a higher education, whether it be trade school, community college or a university.

Meet Our Scholarship Winners

Chloe Tang is the daughter of Sandy Tang, of TPGA member AmeriGas in Houston. Houston is where Chloe attended Langham Creek High School and graduated as Valedictorian in May 2020. In high school, she was president of the National Honor Society and selected to be on the Superintendent’s Student Leadership Advisory Council. Chloe is following in sister Desiree’s footsteps in winning a TPGA scholarship. Chloe is also attending her sister’s alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, where she will be entering her sophomore year and majoring in electrical engineering. Chloe wants to immerse herself in a career where she feels encouraged to think critically and innovatively. With engineering, she truly believes she can check all those boxes as the combination of math and science is a realm that she is passionate, yet tested, in.

Chloe Tang was also awarded AmeriGas David Lugar Memorial Scholarship from the National Propane Gas Association Scholarship Foundation.

Sarah Pavlas is the daughter of Jennifer and Kevin Pavlas of TPGA member Colorado County Propane, LLC of Sheridan, Texas.

Sarah graduated top of her class from El Campo High School, where she earned the prestigious honor of being named Valedictorian in May 2021. Sarah was a member of the National Honor Society. All four years of high school, she was also very active in UIL, winning first place in both team and individual competitions. In addition to academics, Sarah was devoted to the community. She has worked for her local food pantry for over 10 years and was recently promoted to office assistant, in addition to working with multiple other community and service organizations.

In high school Sarah fell in love with coding, and this fall she will attend the University of Texas of Austin where she is majoring in computer science with a focus in cybersecurity. She hopes to one day protect NASA from cyberattacks.

EmmaLee Smallwood is the granddaughter of Max Eubanks of TPGA member Bishop Energy.

EmmaLee balanced school, extracurriculars and work throughout high school at the same time finding time to volunteer for multiple causes. In May 2021, EmmaLee graduated from Farwell High School. While in high school, she was elected by her peers all four years to serve on Student Council. EmmaLee served in FFA for all four years of high school and during her senior served as vice president of the organization. This fall she is headed to West Texas A&M University to pursue a degree in Agricultural Communications.

“Agriculture is the foundation of our economy and affects all of us on a daily basis. The world should understand agriculture better in order to reach the economic- ecological-social balance so badly needed in this world,” explains EmmaLee on her passion to pursue a career in agriculture.

Ellenore “Ella” Dorris is the daughter of Todd Dorris, who serves as the Operations Manager for Roadrunner Energy of Uvalde, Texas, where Ellenore is also part-time employee. This past May 2021, Ellenore graduated from Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UECHS) where she was involved a number of extracurriculars including National Honor Society and Student Council. She additionally served on the UECHS Advisory Committee throughout high school. Ellenore also competed in UIL competitions in journalism and theater arts.

For her entire high school career, Ellenore was active in the Drama Club, in which she served as its Publicity Director and performed in numerous UHS Theatre Department Productions.

This fall, Ellenore will attend Angelo State University where she will pursue a degree in Theater Arts Education.

In addition to winning a TPGA scholarship, Ellenore “Ella” Dorris also was a recipient of the National Propane Gas Foundation Naomi Cordill Scholarship.

Cassidy Rollins is the daughter of Angie and Larry Rollins, who both work for TPGA member Buster Brown Propane, in New Caney, Texas. During this 2021-2022 college school year, Cassidy will be a junior at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where she is majoring in Business. Cassidy hopes to one day own a cheer gym with her business degree, a love she