Reliant Energy™ announced that eight Houston-area high school student athletes will each receive a $1,000 scholarship as part of the company's "Scholarship for Champions -- Powering Strong Minds and Bodies" program.

"The scholarship winners have each demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in academics and athletics," said Tracy Carmen-Jones, vice president, Reliant Energy™ Community Marketing. "We are thrilled to recognize these eight deserving student athletes and to help them achieve the goals they have set out to accomplish on and off the field."

Each recipient is required to maintain good academic standing and display ethics and leadership qualities to be eligible for the program. The eight students were selected by Reliant™ and the Houston Texans, and will receive a surprise visit by a Texans player at their school to present the award. They will also have the opportunity to participate in a pre-game ceremony during the Texans' season, and as honorees at the Houston Texans Draft Luncheon.

Reliant Energy™, based in Houston, provides electricity and energy services to retail and wholesale customers in the United States. In Texas, the company provides service to approximately 1.9 million retail electricity customers, including residential and small business customers and large commercial, industrial, governmental and institutional customers.

For a list of the scholarship recipients and their accomplishments, please see the Reliant Energy™ press release.