AK Steel Announces Company's 2013 Sons and Daughters Scholarship Recipients
05/13/2013 - AK Steel is continuing a longstanding tradition this year by awarding college scholarships to sons and daughters of company employees. The awards recognize outstanding academic achievement, leadership and community involvement.
AK Steel is continuing a longstanding tradition this year by awarding college scholarships to sons and daughters of company employees. The awards recognize outstanding academic achievement, leadership and community involvement.
“Earning an AK Steel scholarship speaks volumes about the students and families associated with our company,” said James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO of AK Steel. “We congratulate all of our recipients for their achievements, and applaud them for demonstrating the values that help make AK Steel a successful company.”
The Sons and Daughters scholarships are funded by the AK Steel Foundation and are worth a maximum $20,000 each. The Middletown, Ohio Community Foundation independently selects each recipient.
2013 Scholarship Recipients:
- Cody Campbell, son of Doug and Julie Campbell of Ashland, Ky.
Cody attends Fair View High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Hugh O’Brian Leadership Award. He was named to Who’s Who Among America’s High School Students and is a Wendy’s High School Heisman Award winner. Cody participates in football, track, tennis and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also a member of Future Business Leaders of America. He is a United Way and American Red Cross volunteer, a youth tutor and vacation Bible school helper. His father, Doug Campbell, works in the steelmaking department at the company’s Ashland Works.
- Haley Culler, daughter of Jeff and Cherie Culler of Butler, Ohio.
Haley attends Clear Fork High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Principal’s Academic Award. She is a Buckeye Girls State delegate and a member of the Ohio Cardinal Conference leadership team. Haley is captain of the track and cross country teams. She participates in science, art and Spanish club, and is a member of the debate, tech and speech teams. She is also a member of the academic challenge spirit squad. Haley is a blood drive, Sunday school and soup kitchen volunteer. Her mother, Cherie Culler, works in the melt shop at the company’s Mansfield Works.
- Dakota Johnson, son of James and Sonya Johnson of Germantown, Ohio.
Dakota attends Valley View High School where he is valedictorian, a member of the National Honor Society, a scholar athlete and a Buckeye Boys State delegate. He is captain of the soccer team and a member of the baseball, basketball and track teams. He is student council treasurer and a member of both the sportsmanship and float committees. He also participates in school musicals, project Charlie, muse machine and Spanish club. Dakota is a church volunteer and a youth baseball, basketball and soccer coach. His father, James Johnson, works in the electrical maintenance and control department at the company’s Middletown Works.
- Garrett Jones, son of Todd and Susan Jones of Butler, Pa.
Garret attends Slippery Rock Area High School where he is an Eagle Scout, a National Merit Scholarship qualifier and a member of the National Honor Society. He participates in academic games, mock trial, model United Nations and the student alliance for green efforts. He is editor of the school literary magazine and a member of the robotics team, Spanish club and choir. Garrett also participates in Race for the Cure, Adopt a Highway and fire hall fundraising events. He is also a church food cupboard and library book sale volunteer. His father, Todd Jones, works in the mobile maintenance department at the company’s Butler Works.
- Brandon Lewis, son of Darrell and Marjorie Lewis of Middletown, Ohio.
Brandon attends Madison Junior / Senior High School where he is a scholar athlete, a recipient of the Honda-Ohio State University math medal and a member of the National Honor Society. He is co-captain of the cross country team, a member of the tennis team, section leader of the marching and concert bands and a member of the yearbook staff. Brandon participates in Spanish, art and 4-H club, as well as the Youth Alive program. He is a Big Brothers, Big Sisters, animal shelter and Atrium Medial Center volunteer. His father, Darrell Lewis, works in the steelmaking department at the company’s Middletown Works.
- Emily McGuire, daughter of William and Beth McGuire of Middletown, Ohio.
Emily attends Madison Junior / Senior High School where she is a scholar athlete and a member of the National Honor Society. She is a recipient of the Top 20 Academic Award, the President’s Outstanding Academic Excellence Award and the VIP Award. Emily is captain of the cheer squad and the competition hip hop dance team, and she participates in pep band, color guard and Spanish club. She is chair of her local food pantry, as well as an altar server, church volunteer and youth cheer camp group leader. Her father, William McGuire, works in the ironmaking department at the company’s Middletown Works.
- Sydney McGuire, daughter of James and Jackie McGuire of Middletown, Ohio.
- Sydney McGuire, daughter of James and Jackie McGuire of Middletown, Ohio.
Sydney attends Madison Junior / Senior High School where she is treasurer of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Top 20 Academic Award, the President’s Education Award and the Southwestern Buckeye League Principal’s Scholar Athlete Award. She is secretary of Youth Alive, and she participates in cheerleading, softball, German Club, German Honor Society, concert band, pep band and student council. Sydney is a Big Brothers, Big Sisters, senior center and Wounded Warrior volunteer. Her father, James McGuire, works in the mobile maintenance department at the company’s Middletown Works.
- Justine Moran, daughter of Brian and Karin Moran of Coshocton, Ohio.
Justine attends River View High School where she is vice president of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the 4.0 Award and the Ohio High School Soccer Coaches Association’s Scholar Athlete Award. She is captain of the soccer and basketball teams, as well as president of student council and math club. She also participates in German club, chess club, spirit club and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Justine is a 4-H camp counselor, church helper and a United Way, Red Cross and Salvation Army volunteer. Her father, Brian Moran, works in the cold rolling department at the company’s Coshocton Works.
- Gregory Newman, son of Gregory and Annett Newman of Sarver, Pa.
Gregory attends Freeport Area Senior High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the StrongLand Math League First Place Award and the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League Academic All Star Award. He is captain of the hockey team and a member of the golf, baseball and track teams. He also participates in key club, chess club and personal training club. Gregory is a peer math tutor and foodbank volunteer, and he received the Gold Star Member Award for his community involvement. His father, Gregory Newman, works in the quality department at the company’s Butler Works.
- Elizabeth Nix, daughter of Dan and Nancy Nix of Middletown, Ohio.
Elizabeth attends Bishop Fenwick High School where she is an honor student, student council treasurer and a member of the National Honor Society. She is a member of the dance team and the Academy of Dance Arts were she excels in ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. Elizabeth also participates in Spanish club and is a member of the ambassadors leadership team. She is a peer math and history tutor, as well as a volunteer dance instructor. She is also an emergency room volunteer at Bethesda North Hospital and a Kairos team leader. Her father, Dan Nix, works at the company’s research facility in Middletown.
- Jordan Peltier, son of Stan and Cindi Peltier of Germantown, Ohio.
Jordan attends Madison Junior / Senior High School where he is an Eagle Scout, scholar athlete and a member of the National Honor Society. He is a recipient of the Top 20 Academic Award, the President’s Outstanding Academic Excellence Award and the VIP Award. He is a member of the varsity soccer and track teams, and he participates in marching, concert , jazz and pep band. Jordan is a church helper and a Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and blood drive volunteer. He also participates in the Great Miami River Clean Sweep. His mother, Cindi Peltier, works in the finance department at AK Steel’s corporate headquarters in West Chester.
- Conner Phillippi, son of David Phillippi of Wyoming, Ohio and Julie Whitney of Cincinnati, Ohio – stepson of Daniel Whitney.
Conner attends St. Xavier High School where he is a First Honors student and a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. He is a student ambassador of excellence and a member of the football, lacrosse and core leadership teams. He also participates in ski club and is the founder of his school’s fair trade club. Conner is a youth art tutor and a Meals on Wheels and soup kitchen volunteer. He also participates in food drives and urban redevelopment projects in downtown Cincinnati. His stepfather, Daniel Whitney, works in AK Steel’s aviation department in Hamilton, Ohio.
- Keaton Reed, son of Maurice ("Mo") and Shelly Reed of Mason, Ohio.
Keaton attends William Mason High School where he is a high honors student and a member of the National Honor Society. He is a recipient of the Principal’s Award, the Academic Achievement Award, the Outstanding Achievement Award in world history and the track and field Scholar Athlete Award. He participates in cross country, track, basketball, MYO baseball, the Sibs program and Youth Group. Keaton is a peer tutor, as well as a blood drive, Fleet Feet and church volunteer. His father, Mo Reed, works in the engineering, raw materials and energy department at AK Steel’s corporate headquarters in West Chester.
- Rebecca Rohr, daughter of Christopher and Jody Rohr of Millersburg, Ohio.
Rebecca attends West Holmes High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the perfect attendance award. She lettered in academics, band and choir, and is an Ad Discovery winner and Holmes County Prevention Coalition billboard contest winner. She participates in marching band, pep band, the all-Ohio state fair band, chamber choir, honors choir, school musicals and Science Olympiad. Rebecca is a Salvation Army, Project Linus, shoe drive and church camp volunteer. Her father, Christopher Rohr, works in the quality department at the company’s Coshocton Works.
- Katherine Sturgis, daughter of Gary and Barbara Sturgis of Middletown, Ohio.
Katherine attends Madison Junior / Senior High School where she is a high honors student and a member of both the National Honor Society and the German Honor Society. She is a recipient of the Presidential Academic Excellence Award and the Southwestern Buckeye League Principal’s Scholar Athlete Award. She participates in softball, cheerleading, concert band, pep band, color guard and German club. Katherine also participates in 4-H community outreach projects and is a Wounded Warrior and blood drive volunteer. Her father, Gary Sturgis, works in the steelmaking department at the company’s Middletown Works.
- John Tedrick, son of James and Janetta Tedrick of Kimbolton, Ohio.
John attends Buckeye Trail High School where he is an Eagle Scout and a member of the National Honor Society. He lettered in academics and choir and is a recipient of the Choraliers Outstanding Leadership Award and the U.S. Achievement Academy Award. He also received Outstanding Student Awards in art, history and English. John is president of the drama club and a member of student council, general choir and the choraliers. He is an assistant scoutmaster and a road maintenance and cemetery restoration volunteer. His father, James Tedrick, works in the engineering department at the company’s Coshocton Works.
- Holly Thieman, daughter of Mark and Theresa Thieman of Newburgh, Ind.
Holly attends Reitz Memorial High School where she is an honor student, a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of academic awards in geometry, German, English and U.S. history. She is a member of the marching, concert, pep and jazz bands, and she participates in Girl Scouts, Teens for Life, Tri-M, spiritual life committee, German club and school musicals. She is also secretary of the cover-to-cover book club. Holly is a peer music tutor and a Sunday school, vacation Bible school and church retreat volunteer. Her father, Mark Thieman, works in the contract administration department at the company’s Rockport Works.
- Lance Weber, son of David and ClyDean Weber of West Chester, Ohio.
Lance attends Lakota East High School where he is a Boy Scout, a high honors student and a member of the National Honor Society. He is the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award in world studies and the National Latin Examination Silver Medal. He is co-captain of the academic quiz team and a member of the Latin club. He also participates in the vocal music program, advanced mixed choir and show choir. Lance volunteers for Tender Mercies, Kids against Hunger and church community outreach programs. His father, David Weber, works in the human resources department at the company’s Middletown Works.
- Rachael Wigton, daughter of David and Jeanine Wigton of Butler, Pa.
Rachael attends Butler Senior High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, marching band, concert band, big band and symphonic band. She is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Shotokan Karate-Do, and is a member of the LINGuistics, equations and knowledge master open teams. She also participates in jazz club, strolling strings and orchestra. Rachael is treasurer of the Caring Angels fundraiser and a bake sale, book drive and church volunteer. She is also a youth karate instructor. Her father, David Wigton, works in the power, environmental controls and maintenance department at the company’s Butler Works.
- Paige Williams, daughter of John Williams and Renee Filiatraut of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Paige attends Saint Ursula Academy where she is an honor student and a member of the National Honor Society. She is co-president of student council and a member of the world affairs club and Earth club. She participates in students for advancement, the ambassadors program, field hockey and the CSTAT community service club. Paige is a founding member of Charitable Innovations, as well as a youth tutor and Vision Day Care volunteer. She also participates in urban redevelopment projects in downtown Cincinnati. Her mother, Renee Filiatraut, works in the legal department at AK Steel’s corporate headquarters in West Chester.
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. The company employs about 6,100 men and women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pa.; Ashland, Kentucky; Rockport, Ind.; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio.
