Nineteen students earn A. O. Smith scholarships
Milwaukee, Wis.—Nineteen children of A. O. Smith Corporation employees earned an A. O. Smith Merit Scholarship for 2012.
Scholarships are awarded annually to the sons and daughters of A. O. Smith Corporation employees in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, China and India. Recipients are selected based on their academic record, participation in school and community activities, work experience, and honors.
Erin Bandle will be a junior at Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tenn., majoring in music performance. She was on the Dean’s list in the fall of 2011. Bandle was a camp counselor at Lighthouse Christian Camp in June. She is a graduate of Cheatham County Central High School. Bandle is the daughter of Tim and Bambi Bandle. Tim Bandle is an employee of Lochinvar, LLC, in Lebanon, Tenn.
Amy Bartos will be a freshman this fall at the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities, majoring in journalism. She was a graduate of Menomonee Falls High School, Menomonee Falls, Wisc., where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honors Society and a senior class officer. She was a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and a National Center for Women Information Technology (NCWIT) runner up. Bartos is the daughter of Ron and Anne Bartos. Ron Bartos is an employee of the A. O. Smith Corporate Technology Center in Milwaukee, Wisc.
Lauren Bone will be a freshman this fall at Union University, Jackson, Tenn., majoring in biology. She is a graduate of Montgomery Central High School, Cunningham, Tenn., where she was salutatorian of her graduating class. Bone received an Advanced Placement Statistics award, Advanced Placement English award, an Economics award, Academic Hall of Fame award, Journalism Award and Scholar of Excellence award. She finished sixth in the State 800 Meter Run and was also a camp counselor. Bone is the daughter of Kevin and Michelle Bone. Kevin Bone is an employee of A. O. Smith in Ashland City, Tenn.
Sarah Buchanan will be in her first year at Conestoga College, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, this fall, majoring in architecture. She is a graduate of Centre Wellington District High School, Fergus, Ontario, Canada, where she was a member of the honor roll. Buchanan recently received gold interpretive in figure skating and is working on two other gold levels. She works full time at Tim Hortons' Bakery. She is the daughter of Rose and Alan Buchanan. Rose Buchanan is an employee of A. O. Smith in Fergus.
Emily Dean will enter her first year at the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga this fall. She is a graduate of Columbia Central High School, where she ranked 11th in her class. She was a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society and was voted Most Helpful. Dean is the daughter of Chuck and Tracy Dean. Chuck Dean is an employee of A. O. Smith in Ashland City, Tenn.
Lauren Fink will begin her first year at Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, this fall, majoring in nursing. She is a graduate of Stratford Northwestern Secondary School, where she received an honour roll certificate. She enjoys playing baseball and hockey and won Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and most proficient player award as a member of her hockey team. Her interests include cooking and fashion. She is the daughter of Randy and Barb Fink. Randy Fink is an employee of A. O. Smith in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.
Braden Green will be in his second year at Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario, studying to be an aviation mechanic. He was on the Dean’s Honor List in the fall 2011 and winter 2012 semesters. He is a graduate of Centre Wellington District High School. Green enjoys playing hockey and dirt bike riding. He is the son of Laurie Kells and Steve Mulder. Laurie Kells is an employee of A. O. Smith in Fergus, Ontario.
Caitlin Isgett will be a sophomore at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C., majoring in elementary education. She was on the Dean’s List this past year. She is a graduate of McBee High School, where she was a member of the Senior Beta Club, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). She received All Region and All State in softball and All Region in volleyball. Isgett enjoys spending time with family and friends and participating in church activities. Isgett is the daughter of Paul and Valerie Isgett. Paul Isgett is an employee of A. O. Smith in McBee, S.C.
Jennifer Knoeppel will be a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in biochemistry. In her freshman year she was a delegate for the University of Wisconsin -Stevens Point Residence Hall Association (RHA) and received an award for delegate of the month. She was also a member of the RHA Policies and Facilities Committee. Knoeppel is a volunteer at the Waukesha Humane Society and a member of the Center Oak 4-H Club. Her interests include horseback riding, biking and hiking. She is a graduate of Arrowhead High School, Hartland, Wisc. Knoeppel is the daughter of Ray and Kathleen Knoeppel. Ray Knoeppel is an employee of the A. O. Smith Corporate Technology Center in Milwaukee, Wisc.
Yibo Li will be entering his senior year at Shanghai Finance University, Shanghai, China, majoring in information management. This past year he obtained a First-Class and Third-Class Scholarship and the honor of 3A Student. Li is a graduate of Shanghai Datong High School. Li’s interests include playing the guitar and painting. He is the son of Guanyao Li and Yafang Li. Guanyao Li is an employee of A. O. Smith in Nanjing, China.
Madison Nyikes will be entering her freshman year this fall at Saint Louis University, majoring in physical therapy. She is a graduate of Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak, Mich. Nyikes received four year scholastic honors, a Saint Louis University Dean Scholarship and Michigan Competitive Scholarship. She was on the Principal’s List her senior year and received a Phi Beta Kappa Certificate. Nyikes participated in varsity tennis. She is the daughter of Scott and Dawn Nyikes. Scott Nyikes is a field service technician for Lochinvar, LLC, in Michigan.
Lisa Rye will be a freshman at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tenn., this fall, majoring in early childhood education. She graduated from Montgomery Central High School. Rye was a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, and Future Teachers of America. She graduated in the top 10 percent of her class and received a Distinguished Honors Diploma. Rye is the daughter of Jeffrey and Jeanette Rye. Jeffrey Rye is an employee of A. O. Smith in Ashland City, Tenn.
Cecilia Salinas will be entering her second year of college, attending the Universidad Pedagogica Nacional in Juarez, Mexico. Her outside interests include dance performance and dance classes. She is the daughter of Arturo Chavez Cantellano and Olga Lidia Salinas Ulloa. Arturo Chavez Cantellano is an employee of A. O. Smith in Juarez, Mexico.
Morgan Thompson will be a sophomore at Bryan College, Dayton, Tenn., this fall, majoring in pre-physical therapy. She played varsity soccer for Bryan College in 2011. Thompson has an interest in doing mission work. She is a graduate of Oakland High School, Murfreesboro, and is the daughter of Bret and Robyn Thompson. Bret Thompson is an employee of Lochinvar, LLC, in Lebanon, Tenn.
Mina Vedut will be in her second year at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, majoring in architecture. She received the Elizabeth Alarie Architecture award in 2011 and Excellent Academic Standing award. Vedut’s extracurricular activities include layout designing for the University of Waterloo’s architecture school newspaper and volunteering for student orientation and the Oasis Soup Kitchen. She is the daughter of Turhan and May Vedut. Turhan Vedut is an employee of A. O. Smith in Fergus, Ontario, Canada.
Juan Carlos Vera Martinez will be entering his second year at the Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro, majoring in scenic arts. He is a graduate of Escuela Preparatoria “El Chamizal in Juarez.” His extracurricular activities include dance performances at the Cinema Theatre and participation in the presentation of “The Attic” in the theater Esperanza Cabrera of Queretaro City. Vera Martinez is the son of Juan Carlos Vera and Alma Rosa Martinez. Juan Carlos Vera is an employee of A. O. Smith in Juarez, Mexico.
Song Wang will be a senior this fall at Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China, majoring in electronic packaging technology. He received the honorary title of excellent league cadre this past spring. He is a graduate of Songzi No. 1 Middle School. Wang is the son of Changjun Wang and Hong Yin. Hong Yin is an employee of A. O. Smith in Beijing.
Martha Wells will be entering her freshman year this fall at Milligan College, Milligan, Tenn., majoring in education. She is a graduate of Greeneville High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Wells was president of First Priority and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), tennis team captain, advanced chorus section leader, the Community of Promise School representative and a member of Greene County Youth Leadership. She is the daughter of David Cole and LuAnne Wells. David Cole Wells is an employee of A. O. Smith in Johnson City, Tenn.
Yucheng Yang will be entering his third year at Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China, majoring in welding science/engineering. He is a graduate of Lishui High School in Nanjing, China. Yang has been a volunteer at the Zhenjiang Museum for two years and received the title of volunteer forerunner individual. Yang takes part in league football matches organized by Zhenjiang Football Union. His interests include football and music. Yang is the son of Xinmin Yang and Xiaohong Dai. Xinmin Yang is an employee of A. O. Smith (Shanghai) Water Treatment in Nanjing.
The A. O. Smith Merit Scholarship program is open to the children of employees in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, China and India. 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 help cover a portion of the tuition costs 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 one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, offering a comprehensive line featuring the best-known brands in North America and China, as well as water purification products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., employs approximately 10,500 people at operations in the U. S., Canada, Mexico, India, China, and the Netherlands.