Poker tournament raises $2.2M to support YES Prep students

(HOUSTON) -- Poker players at YES Prep Public Schools' 19th Annual Oil & Gas Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament went all in to raise a record $2.2 million to support YES Prep’s 18,500 students at 23 campuses across Houston.

YES Prep — one of the fastest-growing and highest-performing public school systems in the nation — welcomed more than 600 energy sector leaders from Houston and across the country for the event at Corinthian Houston, made possible this year in part by the support of Vitol, Alta Resources, Colona Heavy Industries, Kirby Marine, KiwiEnergy Ltd., PQM, Quantum Capital Group, Sidney Austin LLP and White & Caseis.

Nearly 90 corporate, foundation and individual sponsors and their guests were there. The Oil & Gas Texas Hold 'Em Tournament was made popular by Houston’s energy industry. Since the first tournament in 2006, the event has raised over $22 million toward providing YES Prep students with the high-quality education they need and deserve.

“The energy industry is essential to the strength of the Houston economy. And we know that when students have access to college-ready education, regardless of their background, our economy wins. It's an easy decision to support YES Prep and the Texas Hold' Em Tournament; we’re investing in our future economy one student at a time,” Steve Mohtashami, YES Prep Texas Hold’ Em Steering Committee member, said.

Tournament emcee Bill Heuer of iHostPoker crowned Kenley Steeg, seated at the Alta Resources table, the winner of the 2024 tournament.

Vitol, a long-time partner in the tournament, played an instrumental role in the success of the event, serving as the VIP Reception underwriter. The Vitol Foundation capped off the night by matching every Vitol player’s night-of donations, resulting in an additional $125,000.

The steering committee that organized the high-energy event included Mohtashami, Aaron Byrd, Marisa Chavarria, Brian Colona, Michol Ecklund, Austin Elam, Mike Miller, Jeffrey Millstein and Bill Nelson.

Celebrating 25 years of impact, YES Prep is open to and tuition-free for all children. The rapidly growing public charter school system is expanding, opening a record three new elementary schools this August to students as young as pre-K, and it just announced another two elementary campuses opening in Fall 2025. To learn more, visit yesprep.org.