Citgo Lemont Refinery supports local STEM events

LEMONT - The Citgo Lemont Refinery recently participated in four STEM-related events for area youth.

Lemont Refinery volunteers attended the STEM night at Ira Jones Middle School in Plainfield and a STEM Night at John J. Lukancic Middle School in Romeoville. At both events, the team hosted a learning station and facilitated STEM demonstrations with the students. Citgo engineers served as judges for the Valley View School District STEM Night at Romeoville High School, evaluating middle school students' science projects.

The refinery also sponsored its first STEM Fest at the Romeoville branch of the White Oak Library District. The event attracted over 500 people from the Lockport, Romeoville and Crest Hill communities, including Lockport Mayor Steve Streit and U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski.

"As a company, we are committed to investing in the next generation of STEM leaders. Partnering with area schools is just one example of how we are encouraging STEM education," said Jim Cristman, vice president and general manager of the Citgo Lemont Refinery.

The Citgo STEM Talent Pipeline program partners with educational organizations near the company's operational areas. The program promotes the importance of STEM education in the socioeconomic development of our communities and highlights the numerous pathways to rewarding careers, including those in the energy industry. It provides grants to schools and educational organizations to support programs that increase student interest, retention and graduation rates -

particularly at the high school and postsecondary levels - and those that prepare students for STEM technical and university level curriculum.