Cy-Fair Educational Foundation Awards Over $979,000 in Scholarships to Cy-Fair ISD Students at 2025 Reception
The Cy-Fair Educational Foundation (CFEF) marked another milestone in its storied history on June 3, 2025, with its annual Scholarship Reception held at The Berry Center. The evening brought together a joyful crowd of scholarship recipients, families, community leaders, donors, and trustees to celebrate the awarding of over $979,000 in scholarships to 162 outstanding Cypress-Fairbanks ISD students.
The atmosphere inside the venue was filled with energy and emotion as each student was individually called to the stage to receive their scholarship—a powerful moment for many who will be the first in their families to attend college. The formal recognition ceremony was followed by a vibrant reception, giving students and their families the opportunity to connect with the donors and trustees whose generosity made the evening possible.
“On behalf of the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation, we extend our gratitude to everyone who attended and supported the event, making it a memorable evening for all,” said Rebecca Howren, a longtime trustee and member of the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee. “We are already looking forward to next year’s reception and the opportunity to help even more Cypress-Fairbanks ISD students.”
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Founded in 1970, the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation is a cornerstone of educational support in the community. The organization has awarded more than $13.4 million in scholarships to CFISD graduates and contributed over $4 million toward staff development initiatives within the district. Through these efforts, CFEF continues its mission to empower today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders through higher education.
The roots of the Foundation trace back to a small group of visionary leaders, including Dr. Karl Bleyl and then-deputy superintendent Allen Labay, who sought to establish a scholarship fund that would help lift local students into brighter futures. Their work, alongside Reverend F.J. Aragon, Jim Blackman, and attorney Herman Mead, culminated in the creation of what is now one of the most impactful non-profit education foundations in the region.
Today, the Foundation operates with the dedication of 61 trustees, including one of its most enduring champions—Robert Adam. A trustee since the early 1970s, Adam’s commitment has helped shape the organization into what it is today.
“I think the thing that has impressed me most in over 53 years is that I have never met a trustee who had a selfish reason for serving on the board,” said Adam. “Everyone who I have served with has been involved in the cause and dedicated to helping the students of Cy-Fair ISD.”
Adam’s legacy of service has extended through his family, with two of his daughters—Leigh Ann Thompson, a past board chairman, and Rebecca Howren—actively serving as trustees. Their shared commitment highlights how the Foundation’s mission of service is being passed from one generation to the next.
The Cy-Fair Educational Foundation remains entirely community-funded. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CFEF receives no tax dollars from the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD or any public funding source. The Foundation depends on contributions from donors, endowment programs, and special events to sustain its scholarship and staff development programs.
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Community members and local businesses interested in making a difference can support CFEF by donating online or getting involved in its many fundraising and sponsorship opportunities.
As the Class of 2025 prepares to embark on their college journeys, the impact of the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation’s decades-long commitment is more evident than ever. In a world where access to higher education can transform lives, CFEF continues to stand as a pillar of opportunity, equity, and community spirit in Cy-Fair ISD.
For more information on how to support or get involved with the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation, visit thecfef.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
