Hope High School Principal Bill Hoglund, left, got an “aha” moment Tuesday from Blackmon Oil Co. President and Owner David Blackmon, of Glenwood, with the presentation of a $500 ExxonMobil Educational Alliance grant through Tiger Mart of Hope. Blackmon Oil Co. has provided such grants to Hope and Hempstead County schools for some two decades. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools

HOPE – A Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) grant of $500 was presented to Hope High School here Tuesday in support of the HHS Robotics Team.

David Blackmon, president and third generation owner of Blackmon Oil Co., of Glenwood, made the presentation to HHS Principal Bill Hoglund.

HHS Robotics sponsor Kathy Knight thanked Blackmon on behalf of her students and said the funds will be put to use quickly.

“We will use it for equipment purchases and things we need for FIRST Robotics Competition,” Knight said.

She said robotics design and other specifications for the competition have not been outlined.

“We will not know what we need until January,” Knight said.

The grant is part of a Blackmon Oil Co. initiative of the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance and was presented through the Exxon Tiger Mart on North Hazel Street in Hope. The ExxonMobil Alliance Program allows local ExxonMobil owners to support public education in their respective communities and business areas.

Blackmon Oil has been active in such educational grants through ExxonMobil for some two decades in support of initiatives at HHS, Yerger Middle School and Clinton Primary School. Blackmon said his company also provides similar grants to rural schools in Hempstead County.

The company, established in 1932, operates throughout Southwest Arkansas with over the road fuel supply, lubricants, farm fuel delivery services and commercial Exxon branded stores which have been ranked No. 1 in Arkansas by Exxon and also provide popular brands such as BaskinRobbins Ice Cream, Pizza Inn and Sunday Skillet Chicken.