The Astros Foundation and Daikin Announce Winners of $100,000 Steam Scholarship Program

HOUSTON, Texas—June 17, 2025— Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. (Daikin) and the Astros Foundation have proudly announced that ten Houston-area high school seniors have each been awarded a $10,000 scholarship to support their STEAM education, an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the arts into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

"Daikin believes that one of the most meaningful ways we can support our community is by investing in the education of its future leaders,” said Satoru Akama, CEO, Daikin Comfort Technologies, North America, Inc. “The Most Valuable STEAM Scholarship not only recognizes the academic achievements of these exceptional individuals but also celebrates their creativity and leadership. We proudly support these students as they continue their education and pursue their dreams."

Presented in collaboration with the Astros Foundation, the "Most Valuable STEAM Scholarship" program is focused on encouraging young innovators to think outside of the box and incorporate the arts into their traditional STEM curriculum. By recognizing the value of creativity and arts alongside STEM learning, Daikin aims to invest in Houston’s future leaders as they pursue higher education.

Recipients of the 2025 Most Valuable STEAM Scholarship include:

• Madisyn Byars – Waller High School: Madisyn ranked fifth in her graduating class and was active in her school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. She also played three years of varsity volleyball and is passionate about giving back to her community. She will attend Texas A&M University in the fall and pursue an animal science major.
• Noah Byars – Dawson High School: Throughout his high school career, Noah has participated in the internship program at NASA and robotics competitions and is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers Junior Chapter. He also volunteered at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research Foundation and Space Center Houston. He will attend Purdue University and pursue a planetary science and geology major.
• Josue Eden Cardona – Caney Creek High School: Josue holds an AG Mechanics Welding Certificate and was an active member of his school’s FFA chapter. He also excelled in athletics, playing for the water polo and swimming teams and running for the cross-country team. Josue is attending Sam Houston State University and will pursue a degree in mechanical design technology.
• Jayden Frimpong – Travis High School: Jayden played for three years on the varsity soccer team and held active roles in FFA, the Engineering Club, and Breakthrough Houston. He has completed nationally recognized AP Engineering courses, reflecting his passion for innovation and academic excellence. He is planning to attend the University of Houston and will major in mechanical engineering.
• Iliana Medina – Sconzo Early College High School: Iliana has competed in Science UIL, served as an AVID tutor, and is actively involved in her church community. She also enjoys playing the piano, combining her academic strengths with creative and spiritual pursuits. Iliana will attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
• Anna Nguyen – Austin High School: Anna is a passionate STEM advocate who participated in Girls Who Code, the Computer Science Honor Society, Science Olympiad, and a NASA internship, while also conducting food systems research with the Smithsonian Science Education Center. She held marketing internships with Testbook and Taskformer and is actively involved in her church community. She is planning to attend Texas A&M University and will pursue a degree in electrical engineering.
• Lemuel Pacheco – East Early College High School: Lemuel ranked fifth in his class earned first place for the U- STEM UIL Website BEST Robotics 2023. He was also a member of the Biology Club and completed four AP classes, demonstrating both academic rigor and a passion for science and technology. Lemuel will attend Oberlin University in the fall and is planning to pursue a biology degree.
• Derek Rodriguez – Dobie High School: Derek is a dedicated student-athlete with four years on the varsity baseball team, a decade of experience with the Astros Youth Academy, and a passion for giving back through coaching at the Pearland Parks & Recreation Miracle League. He completed AP math courses throughout high school and aspires to pursue a career in extracting oil and natural gas to support America’s energy needs. He will attend Texas Tech University and major in petroleum engineering.
• Carlos Sanchez – Hastings High School: Carlos was a four-year band member and a Pharmacy Technician Trainee at CVS Health. He also completed AP OnRamps Physics 1 & 2 through the University of Texas at Austin, showcasing his commitment to academic excellence in STEM. Carlos is attending the University of Houston and pursue a degree in chemical engineering.
• Hailey Sherrard – Summer Creek High School: Hailey was an active participant in the National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society and served for four years in her high school band. Through a clinicals program that she participated in, she gained hands-on experience by traveling to healthcare facilities and shadowing nurses and doctors. Hailey will attend the University of Oklahoma and major in biomedical sciences.

"These students represent the best of what Greater Houston has to offer- talent, drive, and a passion for making a difference," said Emelda Douglas, Senior Vice President, Community Affairs for the Astros, and Executive Director of the Astros Foundation. "We're proud to stand alongside Daikin in recognizing these outstanding scholars. Together, we're helping to build a stronger and more innovative Houston, one student at a time."

The recipients were determined based on their success in STEAM education, as well as their work both inside and outside the classroom. With the combined support of Daikin and the Astros Foundation, these talented students are encouraged to take a new approach to their technical education, developing into outside-the-box thinkers and innovative leaders right here in the city of Houston.

The program is one of Daikin signature community initiatives aimed at giving back to the Houston area. In addition to the Most Valuable STEAM Scholarship program, Daikin will launch the Cooling Communities initiative, focusing on directly giving back to those in our community who need it most. Daikin is committed to making a positive impact on Houston and the people who call the city home.

About Daikin

Daikin Industries, Ltd. (DIL) is a Fortune 1,000 company with more than 100,000 employees worldwide and a leading indoor comfort solutions provider. Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. (DNA) is a subsidiary of DIL, providing Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex brand products. DNA and its affiliates manufacture heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial and industrial use that are sold via independent HVAC contractors. DNA engineering and manufacturing is located at Daikin Texas Technology Park near Houston, TX. For additional information, visit www.daikincomfort.com.

Amana® is a registered trademark of Maytag Corporation or its related companies and is used under license. All rights reserved.

About Daikin Park

On January 1, 2025, the Houston Astros and Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. (Daikin) entered into a 15- year, exclusive naming-rights partnership that brands the home of the Astros as Daikin Park. The agreement runs through the 2039 season, and includes official naming rights, partnership benefits, and giving back to the Greater Houston community through educational programming and youth sports development in underserved communities.

Overall, Daikin has invested more than $1 billion in the Houston area, including more than $500 million in building Daikin Texas Technology Park. Also, in August 2024, Daikin launched an initiative with the City of Houston to equip low-to- moderate income homes with advanced air conditioning and heating solutions, providing more comfort and energy efficiency for homeowners. Daikin is always looking for new ways to support their community and to create innovative technologies, with an unwavering commitment to making sustainable and responsible choices. For more information on Daikin Park, visit https://daikincomfort.com/about-daikin/daikin-park.

About Houston Astros:

The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. Established as the Houston Colt .45s, the Astros entered the National League as an expansion team in 1962. The current name, Houston Astros, reflecting Houston’s role as the host of the Johnson Space Center and space exploration, was adopted three years later, when they moved into the Astrodome. The Astros moved to their current home ballpark in downtown Houston in 2000. The Astros have had great success on the diamond, having won two World Series (2017 and 2022), five league pennants, and advanced to a record-setting seven-straight American League Championship Series, winning four of the last seven American League pennants.

A tenant of the organization is to give back to the greater Houston community, and that is done through the Astros Foundation, the official 501(c)(3) team charity of the Houston Astros. The foundation seeks to harness the passion of baseball fans to support youth baseball and softball programs, the recognition and honor of our nation’s military, childhood cancer awareness, domestic violence awareness and efforts to reduce homelessness. The cornerstone initiatives include the Community Leaders program, the Astros Youth Academy and the Astros RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Program. For more information on the Astros Foundation, please visit www.astros.com/foundation.