Aug. 25, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Rivers High School in Texas will be opening the doors this fall to a new on-campus agricultural facility thanks to a large donation from the Valero Three Rivers Refinery.
Honoring its commitment to excellence in the community, the Three Rivers Refinery donated $200,000 to construct the building. On April 23, officials gathered to break ground for the new Valero Vocational Agricultural Science Building.
While at the ceremony, Caleb Orsak, President of the Three Rivers Chapter of the Future Farmers of America, told reporters that the building is the result of two years of planning and hard work.
“Today is a special day for our school, a day in which we break ground on improved opportunities for the students of this district,” Orsak told reporters. “Almost two years of planning were finally made real.”
“The high school had been using a facility that was 48 years old,” said Mac Johanson, Superintendent of the Three Rivers Independent School District. “Due to the financial demands for a safer and technologically advanced building, we decided to partner with the Valero plant and Harry Wright, Three Rivers Vice President & General Manager.”
“The plant consistently helps all of the schools and its students, be it an emergency or everyday activity. We have a very good relationship with the plant, and this new agricultural center will be a benefit to both the plant and the school District,” Johanson said.
“The building is expected to be complete by Aug. 15 and students have already begun registering to be part of the ag program and its beautiful new facility.”
“The students are all really excited,” Johanson said. “They’ll drive through the parking lot just to see the progress and what’s going on.“
The state-of-the-art facility will contain two classrooms for lecture, as well as a food lab, walk-in cooler, a large shop area for projects and a covered outdoor area for welding.
“The refinery has been a presence in the city of Three Rivers for many decades, and we at Valero Three Rivers Refinery recognize and are committed to our community,” Ann Janson, Manager Refinery HR, said. “It is extremely meaningful to Valero to be a part of the new Agriculture facility, as this structure and its programs will aid in the development of students in our community,” Janson said.
“Several graduates of the Agriculture program have gone on to be refinery employees in the past, present, and will be a part of our future. We are excited to be a part of this important event at the Three Rivers High School,” Janson said.