Twenty-four students earn A. O. Smith Scholarships
Milwaukee, Wis.—Twenty-four students of A. O. Smith Corporation employees earned an A. O. Smith Merit Scholarship for 2010.
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.
Luyao Bai of Nanjing, China, will be entering her third year at Tianjin University of Commerce, Baode College, majoring in English. She participated in English Salon, debate "Knowledge Innovation vs. Knowledge Accumulation,” and English Star Speech. Bai is a volunteer at the college library. She is a graduate of Middle School affiliated to Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and is the daughter of Hua Bai and Qinyan Zhu. Qinyan Zhu is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Nanjing.
Mengting Bian of Changzhou, China, is a graduate of Qian Huang Senior High School. She will be entering her first year at Shanghai Tongji University, where she will major in environmental science. Bian is the daughter of Jiankang Bian and Hefang Zou. Hefang Zou is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Changzhou.
Katrina Branecky of Oconomowoc, Wis., will be entering her freshman year at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., majoring in neuroscience. She is a graduate of Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, Milwaukee, Wis., where she received the Salvatorian Service Award. Branecky’s extracurricular activities included participation in varsity track and field and the Medical Explorers Program. She is a volunteer at the Avalon Therapeutic Equestrian Center.
Melanie Branecky of Oconomowoc, Wis., will be entering her freshman year at Creighton University, Omaha, Neb., majoring in nursing. She is also a graduate of Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. Branecky was a National Honors Society member and recipient of the Salvatorian Service Award. She also was a participant in Medical Explorers Program. Branecky is a volunteer at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital and a teacher in the Special Needs Program at St. Jerome Parish.
Katrina and Melanie Branecky are the daughters of Brian and Debbie Branecky. Brian Branecky is an employee at A. O. Smith Corporate Technology Center in Milwaukee.
Lydia Deakin of Beavercreek, Ohio, will be entering her junior year at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, where she is pursuing a bachelors in visual communication, majoring in photojournalism, as well as minoring in French. She is also working towards a certificate to teach English as a second language. Deakin is a recipient of the Ohio University Gateway Award and Dean’s Scholars Award for academic achievement.
Outside of the classroom, Deakin works for various publications and is photo editor of Speakeasy Magazine and staff photographer for The Essay Magazine, both online student-run publications. She is also a freelance photographer for local newspaper, The Athens News. Deakin interns as the art director of a student-run non-profit organization, the Empower Campaign, which works with a women’s cooperative in Uganda to raise money to help educate underprivileged children. The group is currently raising funds to rebuild the Bigodi School, which was destroyed two years ago in a windstorm. She also works as a student manager at Jefferson Dining Hall on Ohio University’s campus and formerly worked for the university’s Department of Residential Housing as a resident assistant.
Deakin is a graduate of Beavercreek High School and the daughter of David and Sue Deakin. David Deakin is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Tipp City, Ohio.
Kenneth Dick of Kingsport, Tenn., will be a senior this fall at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, majoring in biology with a concentration in biochemistry. He has been invited to present his data on genetic research in Portland, Ore., and he awaits news on the publication of two of his research papers. Dick is a graduate of Sullivan South High School and is the son of Kenny and Jill Dick. Kenny Dick is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Johnson City.
Sandra Galaviz of Juarez, Mexico, is entering her third year at the Universidad Technological de Ciudad Juarez, majoring in production processes. She is a graduate of Telebachillerato “Siglo XXI.” Galaviz plays in the local minor league soccer team, teaches catechism and participates in neighborhood community social programs. She is the daughter of Aurora Flores and Inocencio Galaviz. Inocencio Galaviz is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Juarez.
Tarah Heath of Sidney, Ohio, is a June graduate of Sidney High School. She was valedictorian of her class, a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) and served as president of the NHS during her senior year. She received Academic High Honors each of her four years at Sidney and was named to the All Conference Academic Team in her junior and senior years for achieving 4.0 grade point average. Heath also received the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA) Academic Excellence award in both her junior and senior years.
Other awards presented to Heath included Most Valuable Player, varsity track and varsity soccer; Offensive Player of the Year, varsity soccer; First and Second Team All Great Western Ohio Conference, varsity soccer; All Conference Team, varsity soccer; First, Second and Third Team All Miami Valley Varsity Soccer; four-year varsity soccer; and Rookie of the Year, varsity soccer. She was named Female Athlete of the Year for Sidney High School and Rae Burick Female Athlete Honoree.
Heath’s extracurricular activities included serving as Student Government President during her senior year, Students Serving Sidney member, Student Aide, Sidney city schools elementary school tutor, Big Buddies mentor, Wilma Valentine Children’s Learning Center mentor, Pioneer Day mentor, soup kitchen volunteer, Charity League assistant, Sidney High School Blood Drive volunteer, Sidney High School Hall of Honor volunteer and Salvation Army volunteer. She participated in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, MOVE for Alzheimer Disease, and Bowl for Kids Sake events.
Heath, who will be entering her freshman year at the University of Findlay, Ohio, majoring in occupational therapy, is the daughter of Wes and Shelley Heath. Wes Heath is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Tipp City, Ohio.
Aubrey Hord of Franklin, Tenn., is a graduate of Franklin High School, where she graduated as a Top Ten Student and received an International Baccalaureate Diploma, which allows her entrance into any major university in the world. She is an AP (Advance Placement) Scholar and Haslam Scholar finalist. Hord was selected as student of the year in Honors Biology. She was the winner of Tennessee’s statewide E-Tales Video Contest and received the Le Grand Concours Certicat de Reussite in Honors French. As an active member in student government, she was an officer of the student body, the student liaison for the Parent Association and a member of the Tennessee Student Legislature.
Hord’s interests include art, dance, and reading and she spent the summer studying with the Kansas City Ballet. This fall she will attend Rhodes College, Memphis, Tenn., majoring in psychology/neuroscience. She is the daughter of Randy and Karen Hord. Randy Hord is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Ashland City, Tenn.
Huijuan Li of Nanjing, China, will be entering her fourth year this fall at Southeast University, Nanjing, where she will major in clinical medicine. She was awarded College English Test -4 and -6 and was a volunteer for International Diabetes Day. Li is a graduate of Jinling High school, Nanjing, and her outside interests include reading and photography. She is the daughter of Rong Li and Yihua Zhong. Yihua Zhong is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Nanjing.
Robert Daniel MacKenzie of Fergus, Ontario, Canada, is a graduate of Centre Wellington District High School, Fergus, where he was a member of the Honour Roll. While attending Centre Wellington, he received the Co-op Certificate of Achievement in 2009; Jacob Vosburgh Award: Best all around student award in 2006; and Certificate of Distinction Gauss Math in 2005. MacKenzie received the Business Person of the Future award in 2007, 2008, and 2009. He was also named Most Academically Impressive Student Grade 10 math and received Highest Combined Mark for Grade 9 and 10 business. In addition, he received top marks in computer engineering in 2009; Grade 10 science, business and computer studies, and computer and information science in 2008; and geography of Canada in 2007. He graduated having achieved honours in all the subjects he studied during his high school career.
MacKenzie was a member of the Programming Team, Robotics Club, CW Connections Board, and Trivia Team and was a math tutor. His extracurricular activities also included curling and paintballing. He received a first place and second place curling trophy.
Moreover, MacKenzie has created the D-M Design web-site business and in 2009, he was nominated for Youth Entrepreneur of the Year.
MacKenzie will enter his first year this fall at the University of Waterloo, where he will major in computer science. He is the son of Rob and Jayne MacKenzie. Jayne MacKenzie is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Fergus.
Paula Virginia Meza Galeazzi of Juarez, Mexico, will be entering her first year at the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, majoring in interior design. She teaches Sunday school and participates in young hosts meetings and Generation 10. Her outside activities also include Acro-Jazz and making stained glass. Meza is the daughter of Jorge Meza Chavez and Virginia Galeazzi Merlo. Jorge Meza Chavez is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Juarez.
David Moreno of Juarez, Mexico, will be entering his first year this fall at the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, majoring in dentistry career. He recently received a diploma for his achievements in computer science. Moreno is the son of Jose Moreno Pantaleon and Janeth Quijuda. Jose Moreno Pantaleon is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Juarez.
Megan Richardson of Limestone, Tenn., is entering her sophomore year this fall at East Tennessee State University, majoring in education. She is also currently working on an FFA (Future Farmers of America) American Degree. Richardson is a graduate of David Crockett High School and is the daughter of Robert and Cheryl Richardson. Robert Richardson is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Johnson City, Tenn.
Dontrice Savage of Clarksville, Tenn., is a graduate of Kenwood High School. She graduated with a Distinguished Honors diploma, was a member of the National Honor Society and senior class vice president. Savage was a 2009 – 2010 Tennessee Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America state officer. She will be a freshman this fall at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, majoring in art/design. Savage is the daughter of Sheila and Donald Savage. Donald Savage is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Ashland City.
Chen Shen of Nanjing, China, will be entering his third year at Jilin University, Zhuhai College, majoring in environment art design. Shen received Zhuhai College second prize scholarship. He participated in the college Music Association and received the Contribution Award from the association. He is a graduate of Ninghai Middle School, Nanjing, and is interested in computer game designing. Shen is the son of Huining Shen and Mingyue Li. Huining Shen is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Nanjing.
Stephen Soderholm of Donelson, Tenn., will be entering his junior year at Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn., majoring in music business. He was on the Dean’s List and a recipient of the Presidential Service Award his freshman year. Soderholm’s interests include playing the drums. He is a graduate of Champlin Park High School, Champlin, Minn., and the son of Michael and Danielle Soderholm. Michael Soderholm is a regional sales manager for A. O. Smith Water Products Company.
Kaitlin Styer of Burns, Tenn., will be entering her sophomore year at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Murfreesboro, Tenn., majoring in entrepreneurship. She was an MTSU Honors Student and achieved a 4.0 grade point average her freshman year. Styer was on the Dean’s List and was nominated for membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She attended the 2010 Summer Study Abroad program in Normandy, France. Styer was home schooled under Gateway Christian Schools and is the daughter of Michael and Cathy Styer. Michael Styer is an employee of APCOM, Inc. in Franklin, Tenn., an A. O. Smith subsidiary.
Lele Tao, of Nanjing, China, will enter her third year at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (NUPT) this fall, majoring in English. She helped organize English Speech Contest and participated in NUPT Foreign Culture Festival. Tao is a Student Union staff member. She is a graduate of Nanjing No. 9 Middle School and the daughter of Maojun Tao and Jing Chen. Jing Chen is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Nanjing.
Virginia (Brianna) Tidwell of Burns, Tenn., will be entering her sophomore year at the University of Memphis, majoring in business/economics. She was on the Dean’s List and a member of Alpha Gamma Delta her freshman year. Tidwell was a member of Student Government Association Frosh Council. She participated in the Emerging Leaders program and Campus Outreach. She was also a 4-H Camp Counselor. Tidwell graduated from Dickson County High School and is the daughter of Ronnie and Andrea Tidwell. Ronnie Tidwell is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Ashland City, Tenn.
Jaimy van Hout of Veldhoven, The Netherlands, will be entering her first year at Pabo de Kempel in Helmond, N Brabant, The Netherlands, this fall. She works in the cantine of the local football club and as a babysitter. She has received her first aid diploma. Van Hout is the daughter of Ad and Susan van Hout. Ad van Hout is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Veldhoven.
Patrick Wells of Greeneville, Tenn., is a graduate of Greeneville High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He was named a Tennessee Scholar and accepted into the Honors Program at the University of Tennessee. He was an all-state defender and a captain on the men’s soccer team. Wells was section leader of Greeneville High School chorus. He will be entering his freshman year at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Wells is the son of D. Cole and LuAnne Wells. D. Cole Wells is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Johnson City, Tenn.
Sarah Wilczynski of Florence, Ky., will be entering her sophomore year at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., where she is double majoring in neuroscience and Asian studies. She is on the Dean’s List and is a member of the Vanderbilt Pre-Pharmacy Society. Wilczynski is a graduate of Boone County High School, where she was valedictorian. She is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and is the daughter of Michael and Catherine Wilczynski. Michael Wilczynski is an employee of A. O. Smith Water Products Company in Florence.
Jose Eduardo Zuniga Pardo of Juarez, Mexico, will be entering his third year at Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, majoring in engineering/physics. He participated in Academic Contest at state level in 2008 and 2009. Zuniga participated in Physics National Congress in 2009 and was invited to participate in August 2010. He is the son of Manuel Zuniga Monreal and Fernanda Pardo Lozano. Manuel Zuniga Monreal is an employee of A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company in Juarez.
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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.
A. O. Smith Corporation is a leading manufacturer of electric motors for residential, commercial, and industrial applications as well as water heating equipment for residential and commercial uses. The company employs approximately 16,000 people at facilities in the U. S., Mexico, Canada, England, the Netherlands, India, and China.