News Story

On Thursday, March 3, 2022, YES Prep Public Schools welcomed Houston’s leaders in the oil and gas industry, business and philanthropic community for the 17th Annual Oil & Gas Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. For the first time since 2020, the event was held in person at The Corinthian in Downtown Houston.

More than 550 guests attended the record-breaking event that raised $2 million to support YES Prep’s 23 campuses across Houston, which serve over 16,400 students in grades pre-K-3 and 6-12.

Over 82 corporate, foundation, and individual sponsors and their guests attended the event, raising $950,000 through sponsorships and an additional $1,050,000 through night-of giving at the tournament. In a thrilling final round, tournament emcee Bill Heuer of iHostPoker crowned Jean-Marc Monrad, seated at the Vitol table, the winner of the 2022 tournament.   

Vitol was instrumental in the overall success of the event. Serving as the VIP reception sponsor, top sponsors and their guests were invited to the reception prior to the event in the Corinthian’s newly opened underground reception area known as “The Vault”. The Vitol Foundation capped off the night by matching every Vitol player’s night of donations resulting in an additional $150,000.  

Veteran educator and YES Prep CEO, Mark DiBella, was thrilled with the success of the Poker tournament to further YES Prep’s mission to support college readiness for every student. DiBella said, “At YES Prep, a record number of families are turning to our dedicated teachers and staff for the kind of education and care that can change students’ lives, helping them achieve at the highest levels on their path to college and careers of their choice.”