Twenty-one students earn A. O. Smith Merit scholarships
Twenty-one children of A. O. Smith Corporation employees earned an A. O. Smith Merit Scholarship for 2009.
Scholarships are awarded annually to the sons and daughters of A. O. Smith Corporation employees in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and China. Recipients are selected based on their academic record, participation in school and community activities, work experience, and honors.
James Akkala of Cedarburg, Wis., will be a freshman this fall at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, majoring in engineering. He is a graduate of Cedarburg High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society. Akkala was a four-year varsity letter winner and a four-year scholar-athlete award winner. In addition, he was a state qualifier in two swimming events. James is the son of Marc and Chris Akkala. Marc Akkala is an employee at A. O. Smith Corporate Technology Center in Milwaukee, Wis.
Carolyn Branecky of Oconomowoc, Wis., is a graduate of Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee, where she was a National Merit Scholarship finalist. She was a top five finalist at the Wisconsin Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and qualified for the National Symposium. Branecky was a coordinator of a “Baby Shower for Moms” served by the Pregnancy Help Center in Milwaukee. She will attend Rice University in Houston, Texas, majoring in philosophy and biology. Branecky is the daughter of Brian and Debora Branecky. Brian Branecky is also an employee at A. O. Smith Corporate Technology Center.
Xiang Cheng of Tipp City, Ohio, is a graduate of Tippecanoe High School, where he was salutatorian and a member of the National Honor Roll. Cheng served as executive treasure of the Student Senate and treasurer of National Honor Society. He participated in varsity cross-country and was a Central Buckeye Conference Scholar Athlete. Cheng was a cast member of “Footloose” musical, a clubhouse student helper and a member of Quiz Bowl team. He will be a freshman this fall at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, majoring in accounting. Cheng is the son of Biao Cheng and Weihong Zhu. Weihong Zhu is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Tipp City.
Xuejing Chen of Nanjing, China, will be entering her second year at South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China, majoring in computer science. She is a graduate of Middle School affiliated with Nanjing Normal University, where she received Excellent Student, Excellent Student Leader, Youth Athlete, Creative Thinking, and Calligraphy awards. Chen also received Researching Study Excellent Paper Answering second award. Her outside interests include painting, calligraphy and playing the violin. She has received Violin 8-grade certificate. Chen is the daughter of Liang Xue and Shaohua Chen. Liang Xue is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Nanjing.
Amy Cline of Scottsville, Ky., is a graduate of Allen County Scottsville High School, where she was a member of the golf and swim teams. Cline was Allen County’s 2009 Junior Miss. She will be a freshman this fall at Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, Ky., majoring in a health field. Cline is the daughter of Eva and Carl Cline Jr. Eva and Carl Cline Jr. were employees of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Scottsville.
Natalie Deidiker of Pleasant View, Tenn., will be a sophomore this fall at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tenn., majoring in business. She is an inductee of Gamma Beta Phi and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies. Deidiker is the historian of Rotaract, a community service organization. She is a graduate of Sycamore High School in Pleasant View and the daughter of Clifford and Judy Deidiker. Clifford Deidiker is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Ashland City, Tenn.
Sheree Fann of Woodbury, Tenn., graduated fourth in her class from Cannon County High School. She received the French Award and was the Veteran’s Day Writing Contest winner. Fann served as Student Council president and Lioness president. She was a district and region tennis champion and a four-year varsity cheerleader. Fann plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tenn., majoring in chemistry. She is the daughter of Fred and Melanie Fann. Fred Fann is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Franklin, Tenn.
Chad Fink of Rostock, Ontario, Canada, is a graduate of Northwestern Secondary School, Stratford, Ontario. He was awarded the 2008/2009 Northwestern High School Hockey Team Most Valuable Player. In addition, Team North West Territories picked Fink to pitch fastball at World Under 19 Fastball Championship in P.E.I. (Prince Edward Island). Fink was the winner of the Peter Hallman Award given by The North Waterloo Fastball League to the player in the league who demonstrates continuous ability, sportsmanship and community service involvement. In the fall, he plans to attend the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, majoring in kinesiology. He is the son of Barbara and Randall Fink. Randall Fink is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products in Stratford.
Kristyna Gleghorn of Hot Springs, Ark., graduated with high honors this spring from Lake Hamilton High School, Pearcy, Ark. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. Gleghorn received the President’s Excellence Education Award and Academic Excellence Award. She also received the Lake Hamilton Optimist Club Scholarship and the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship at Arkansas State University Honors College.
Gleghorn’s extracurricular activities included participation as a drum major in the Lake Hamilton High School band, which awarded her Most Supportive Musician. She was selected to the Four States Honor Band and All Region First Band. Gleghorn was a member of the Beta Club, Tri-M Music Association and Leadership Hot Springs Partnership with Youth. Her community activities included Toys for Tots and Alzheimer’s Youth Awareness Group, where she was creator, president and manager. She received the Hot Springs National Park Rotary Student Award.
Gleghorn was selected as a 2009 summer intern at Celgene Cellular Therapeutics in Warren, New Jersey. She plans to attend Arkansas State University Honors College this fall, majoring in biology/pre-medicine. Gleghorn is the daughter of R. Linn Gleghorn and David and Belinda Henley. R. Linn Gleghorn is a sales representative for A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company.
Cortney Hochstettler of Del Rio, Texas, will be entering her sophomore year at Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., majoring in business. She is a graduate of Hickory West Home School. Hochstettler, a member of the Val Verde County Texas 4-H Club, participated in shooting sports and equestrian programs. She placed tenth in the 2009 Texas State 4-H 3-Position Small-bore Rifle Match and sixth in the 2009 USA Junior Olympics Texas State 3-Position Rifle Championship. Hochstettler participated in the 2009 4-H District VI Horseshow receiving the English All-Around Buckle after placing first in the Equitation, Showmanship and Hunter Under Saddle classes. In addition, she placed first in Western Showmanship, first in Western Horsemanship and Reserve Champion–Halter Class. Hochstettler works part time at Del Rio Feed & Supply. She is the daughter of Marsha and Bruce Hochstettler. Bruce is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products in Acuna, Mexico.
Nancy Lundin of La Grange, Ill., will be a freshman this fall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in English/secondary education. She is a graduate of Lyons Township High School and is an Illinois State Scholar. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Lundin was awarded Thespian Membership, and she received the Theatre Best Newcomer Award. Her extracurricular activities included participation in cross-country and membership in the Recycling Club and Social Action Club. Lundin is the daughter of Molly and Gary Lundin. Gary Lundin is a Sales Representative for A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company.
Ana Georgina Meza Galeazzi of Juarez, Mexico, plans to attend the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, majoring in interior design. Her outside activities included working as a children’s summer club helper. In addition, she was a teenagers summer camp helper and was video editor and production assistant for a presentation to help teenagers who are suffering from depression. Meza is the daughter of Jorge Meza Chavez and Virginia Galeazzi de Meza. Jorge Meza Chavez is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Juarez.
Mark Meek Jr. of Clarksville, Tenn., will be entering his sophomore year at Austin Peay State University, where he will be majoring in math. He was on the fall and spring Dean’s list and is an Alpha Tau Omega Charter founding father. He is a graduate of Rassview High School in Clarksville and the son of Mark and Tammy Meek. Mark Meek is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products in Ashland City, Tenn.
Chiante Mumford of Hartsville, S.C., will be entering her senior year at Claflin University, Orangeburg, S.C., where she will be majoring in accounting. She is a member of the Dean’s List and received the Dean’s Scholarship and the Life Scholarship. Her outside interests include writing, reading the bible and accounting. Chiante is a graduate of Hartsville High School and the daughter of Gerald and Jeanette Mumford. Gerald Mumford is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in McBee, S.C.
Michelle Noonan of Elora, Ontario, Canada, is a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School, Guelph, Ontario, where she was an Honour Roll student. In February 2009, she received the Award of Excellence in Accounting, Award of Achievement in Functions and Award of Excellence in English. Noonan will be entering her first year at The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, majoring in biological and medical science. She is the daughter of Frank and Barb Noonan. Barb Noonan is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Fergus.
Mayra Alejandra Samaniego of Juarez, Mexico, will be entering her second year this fall at Universidad del Desarrollo Profesional, Juarez, majoring in education. She participates in school volleyball tournaments and is a member of folklore dance group. Samaniego’s plans include obtaining a master degree in psychology, working as a schoolteacher and opening her own daycare agency. She is a graduate of Bachilleres # 5 high school in Juarez and the daughter of Maria Elena Rubio B. and Jose Manuel Samaniego. Maria Elena Rubio B. is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Juarez.
Xiao Xiao Su of Tai Cang, China, is entering her second year at the Jiangsu Police Officer College, Nanjing, China. She received a Police scholarship and College scholarship. Su is a member of the shooting and judo clubs and was an actress in college “New Year Party.” She is a graduate of Tai Cang Senior High School. Su is the daughter of Jian Su and Jin Zhu. Jin Zhu is an A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company employee in Tai Cang.
Nicole Uiterwyk of Elora, Ontario, Canada, will begin her third year this fall at Georgian College, Orillia, Ontario, where she will major in the field of child and youth worker. She was on the Dean’s list and received school placement at Salem Public School. Uiterwyk is a graduate of Centre Wellington District High School, Fergus, Ontario. She is the daughter of Laurie and Henk Uiterwyk. Henk Uiterwyk is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Fergus.
Megan Wall of Palmyra, Tenn., graduated with a distinguished honors diploma from Montgomery Central High School in Cunningham, Tenn. She was a member of the National Honors Society, the yearbook editor and a student government representative. Wall plans to attend Maryville College, Maryville, Tenn., this fall, majoring in biochemistry. She is the daughter of Allen and Debra Wall Lindsey. Allen Lindsey is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Ashland City, Tenn.
Yizhou Yang of Changzhou, China, will be entering her third year at Nanjing Normal University, majoring in English trade. She received the First Prize Scholarship award and Excellent League Member honors. Her interests include reading and playing classical guitar. Yang is a graduate of Changzhou No. 1 Middle School. She is the daughter of Chaomei Peng and Changqing Yang. Chaomei Peng is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company at the Changzhou branch office.
Yun Zhang of Changzhou, China, is entering his second year at Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, China, where he is majoring in computer science. In June of 2009, he participated in an electronic match and received second prize. Zhang was also a participant in a college basketball match and math competition. He is a graduate of Liu Guojun Vocational School in Changzhou. Zhang is the son of Changjun Zhang and Hongmei Zhu. Hongmei Zhu is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Changzhou.
The A. O. Smith Merit Scholarship program is open to the children of employees in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe and China. To be considered, the student must be a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled in an undergraduate college or vocational school degree program. Scholarships cover tuition at an accredited two-year or four-year college or vocational technical school of the student's choice.
The company awards scholarships annually which may be renewed for up to three additional years or until the recipient earns a bachelor's degree. The A. O. Smith Scholarship program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a program of ScholarshipAmerica ® of St. Peter, Minn.