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 scholars, and we wish them great success as they take the next step in their academic journeys."
 
The Sons and Daughters scholarships are funded by the AK Steel Foundation and are worth a maximum US$20,000 each.  The Middletown, Ohio Community Foundation independently selects each recipient.
 
2014 Scholarship Recipients:
 

• Kara Addis, daughter of Scott and Diana Addis of Pedro, Ohio.

Kara attends Saint Joseph Central Catholic High School where she is class president and a member of the National Honor Society.  She is a Buckeye Girls State delegate and a four year high school honor roll member.  Kara is a member of the volleyball and bowling teams.  She participates in church choir and lector, homecoming / prom committee and received an excellent rating at her local science fair.  Kara volunteers to help at the local canned food drive, coat drive, community charity fair and Clean-Up Ironton Day.  Her father, Scott Addis, works in the iron making department at the company's Ashland Works.
 

• Kaitlyn Barnes, daughter of Bob and Melissa Barnes of Mason, Ohio.

Kaitlyn attends William Mason High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and is a National Merit Commended Scholar.  She is a recipient of the American Legion Government and Citizenship Award and is a Buckeye Girls State delegate.  Kaitlyn participates in academic team, concert band, Student Ambassadors and TUSK (tutoring science for kids.)  She is also an AP Scholar with Distinction and member of the Spanish National Honor Society.  She interns at the Warren County Historical Society and tutors English as a second language.  Her father, Bob Barnes, works in the research department at the company's Middletown Works.
 

• Aaron Barrett, son of Henry and Kathy Barrett of Ashland, Ky.

Aaron attends Boyd County High School where he is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and a recipient of the Boyd County High School Distinguished Leader Award.  He also received the National Social Studies Award and is a National Youth Leadership Forum participant.  Aaron is a member of the varsity swim team, vice president of the Beta Club and secretary of the Boyd County Kentucky Youth Council and Volunteer Services.  He is a Special Olympics, Salvation Army, Veteran's Hospital and Summer Motion volunteer.  His father, Henry Barrett, works in the transportation department at the company's Ashland Works.
 

• Daniel Braun, son of Eric and Nancy Jo Braun of Butler, Pa.

Daniel attends Butler Senior High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar and Certificate of Merit recipient for his SAT and ACT test scores.  He is treasurer of the Junior Classical League and a member of the National Junior Classical League Honor Society.  He participates in model United Nations, track and field and is a percussionist in the Butler High School Marching Band.  Daniel is a volunteer at the K9 Unit dinner, Empty Bowls charity event, Dunbar Community Center and Butler ARC.  His father, Eric Braun, works in the hot mill maintenance department at the company's Butler Works.
 

• Sarah Byrd, daughter of Roger and Natalie Byrd of Middletown, Ohio.

Sarah attends Madison Junior / Senior High School where she is a scholar athlete, a recipient of the Presidential Award of Excellence and a member of the National Honor Society.  She is a member of the soccer, cross country, basketball and track teams.  Sarah participates in Spanish club and art club, and is a member of the marching, concert, pep and jazz bands.  She is a volunteer at First Christian Church, Madison Local Schools, Future Leaders of America and the Atrium Family and Middletown Area YMCAs.  Her father, Roger Byrd, works in the sales and customer service department at AK Steel's corporate headquarters in West Chester.
 

• Alexis Conley, daughter of Stephen Conley of Rush, Kentucky and Louticia Malone of Kitts Hill, Ohio.

Alexis attends Dawson-Bryant High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Dawson-Bryant Top Student Award in each of her classes.  She is president of the history club, secretary of the Christian Youth Association and editor of the school yearbook.  Alexis is captain of the varsity cheerleading squad and a member of Mu Alpha Theta, P.R.I.D.E. team and the Leo club.  She is a long-time volunteer at Sunset Nursing Center and also at Hoods Creek Freewill Baptist Church.  Her father, Stephen Conley, works in the steelmaking department at the company's Ashland Works.
 

• Devin Dickson, son of James and Jodi Dickson of Nashport, Ohio.

Devin attends Tri-Valley High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and is recognized by the United States Achievement Academy.  He is a member of the German club, Family Career / Community Leaders of America, Ruriteen and is a Buckeye Boys State delegate.  Devin plays in the jazz, marching, pep and symphonic band.  He is a three-time recipient of the Tri-Valley High School "All A" end of school year award.  He is a Big Brother, Genesis Charity Fund and Camp-Read-A lot volunteer, as well as a peer mentor and math tutor.  His father, James Dickson, works in the labor relations department at the company's Zanesville Works. 
 

• Bashir Emlemdi, son of Hasan and Fatima Emlemdi of Hamilton, Ohio.

Bashir attends Lakota West High School where he is a recipient of the Firebird Character Award and the All Conference Academic Award.  He is a four-year member of the High Honor Roll and was named Outstanding Participant in the PSAT National Achievers Scholarship Program.  He is a member of the varsity football team and is a recipient of the West Pride Award.  Bashir is chair of the INTERalliance Leadership Council and was selected to attend the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Ranch.  He is a Volley for the Cure, Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and RASKALS volunteer.  His father, Hasan Emlemdi, works in the company's research facility in Middletown.
 

• Daniel George, son of Thomas and Ronda George of Ashland, Ky.

Daniel attends Russell High School where he is a member of the National Society for High School Scholars and the National Beta Club.  He participates in Latin club, Lift club, concert chorale as well as concert, jazz, marching and pep band.  Daniel was nominated for the Lead America High School Career and Leadership Program and for the Kentucky Ambassadors of Music.  He volunteers to help students with special needs and is an Anthem youth worship team leader and a King's Way Church praise team member.  His father, Thomas George, works in the iron making department at the company's Ashland Works.  
 

• Rachel Green, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca Green of Butler, Pa.

Rachel attends Vincentian Academy where she is a high honor student.  She is a member of the Vincentian Academy spring musical crew, art/photography club, hula club and chess club.  Rachel also participated in varsity cheerleading and varsity lacrosse.  An accomplished pianist, Rachel provides lessons to other students.  She is a volunteer at Second Grace Shoppe, Elliot Acres Therapeutic Riding Lessons and World Vision.  She also provides childcare at her church for adults pursuing their GED.  Her father, Daniel Green, works in the central maintenance department at the company's Butler Works.
 

• Kiana Green, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Green of Butler, Pennsylvania.

Kiana attends Butler Senior High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Distinguished Young Woman of Butler County Scholastic Award.  She is a National Junior Classical League member and has received the State Latin Convention's Creative Arts Award.  Kiana is a member of the orchestra, student council and volleyball team.  She volunteers serving meals to those in need, as an altar server and violinist at her church.  At her school she volunteers timing swim meets, ushering events and working at concession stands.  Her mother, Elizabeth Green, works in the metallurgy department at the company's Butler Works.
 

• Kurtis McIntosh, son of David and Angie McIntosh of Middletown, Ohio.

Kurtis attends Madison Junior / Senior High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and a three time recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence.  He is captain of both the varsity basketball and soccer teams, and he participates in concert and pep band.  He is also a recipient of the Honda OSU Math Medal and has been honored as a VIP student.  Kurtis is a coat and blood drive volunteer, and he works the election polls and concession stands for special events.  His father, David McIntosh, works in the electronic repair department at the company's Middletown Works. 
 

• Megan Muhleman, daughter of Scott and Tammy Muhleman of Coshocton, Ohio.

Megan attends River View High School where she is secretary of the National Honor Society, vice president of the student council and a National Society of High School Scholars member.  She is a recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, United States Achievement Academy Award and the Chris Spielman McDonald's Scholar Athlete Award.  Megan is captain of the cheerleading squad and a member of the softball and cross-country teams.  She is a volunteer for Windsorwood Assisted Living and Project Linus.  Her father, Scott Muhleman, works in the engineering department at the company's Coshocton Works. 
 

• Hunter Music, son of Ronald and Jill Music of Crestline, Ohio.

Hunter attends Crestline High School where he is president of the National Honor Society and a senior representative of student council.  He was also selected as a Supreme Court of Ohio student representative and guest speaker.  Hunter is captain of the varsity basketball and football teams and editor of Key Club.  He participates as percussion section leader in marching band and pep band, and is president of FCCLA Regional Executive Council.  Hunter is a community food, coat and Christmas drive volunteer as well as a camp counselor and teacher’s aide.  His father, Ronald Music, works in the melt shop department at the company's Mansfield Works.
 

• Adam Pohlabel, son of James and Mary Kay Pohlabel of Hamilton, Ohio.

Adam attends Fairfield High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and a GMC All Academic Award recipient.  He is a student speaker for Rotary club and the Youth Advisory School Board.  He is a member of the varsity cross-country team and serves as academic team captain.  Adam is also a recipient of the Centre Fellow Program Award and the 4.0 Golden Achievement Award.  He volunteers at Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio and the St. Maximillian Kolbe Church Festival.  His father, James Pohlabel, works in the sales and customer service department at AK Steel's corporate headquarters in West Chester.
 

• Erin Sexton, daughter of Jason and Melissa Sexton of Webbville, Ky.

Erin attends East Carter High School where she is a Distinguished Scholar and a recipient of the American Legion Auxiliary Academic Excellence Gold Medal.  She participates in JROTC drill team, honor guard and color guard.  She received the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal and JROTC Superior Cadet Plaque.  Erin is a member of the American Sign Language club, Educational Talent Search and LMC work study.  She is a volunteer at several veterans' events, as well as Project Merry Christmas and the Greyson Homecoming Parade.  Her father, Jason Sexton, works in the transportation department at the company's Ashland Works.
 

• Levi Stewart, son of Timothy and Tracy Stewart of Ironton, Ohio.

Levi attends Rock Hill Senior High School where he is president of the National Honor Society and captain of the quiz bowl team.  He participates in baseball, bowling, football and track.  In addition, he participates in the engineering, science and Spanish clubs, and has served as a People to People Student Ambassador.  He is a Red Cross blood drive, Salvation Army, YMCA and food pantry volunteer.  He also serves as a volunteer for parent-teacher conferences, Volley for the Cure and local clothing drives.  His father, Timothy Stewart, works in the finishing department at the company's Ashland Works.
 

• Maddilyn Thoma, daughter of Bruce and Laura Thoma of Butler, Pa.

Maddilyn attends Knoch High School where she is president of the Future Business Leaders of America and a member of the National Honor Society.  She is the recipient of the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair Biology and Ecology Awards and STEM Award.  She participates in volleyball, student council and class cabinet.  Maddilyn is president of the robotics and programming clubs, as well as secretary of the Spanish club.  She is a Special Olympics, Shriners Hospital, Children's Hospital and Lighthouse Foundation volunteer.  Her father, Bruce Thoma, works in the silicon maintenance department at the company's Butler Works.
 

• Mary Zellhart, daughter of Michael and Beth Zellhart of Butler, Pa.

Mary attends Knoch Senior High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and is a four time high honor recipient.  She is captain of both the volleyball and track teams, and was named first team all section and second team all WPIAL.  Mary is the president of the German club and participates in lacrosse, student council and chemistry club.  She is a vacation bible school, Cabot Food Bank, Concordia Lutheran Ministries and Knoch High School office volunteer.  Her father, Michael Zellhart, works in the cold mill department at the company's Butler Works.
 

• Alexi Zika, daughter of Richard and Theodora Zika of Valencia, Pa.

Alexi attends Mars Area High School where she is a high honor student and a member of the National Honor Society.  She is captain of the volleyball team and was selected as a second team all section player.  Alexi also participates in Pitt Elite Volleyball, Cincinnati Volleyball Academy and Cincy Classics.  She serves as vice president of the Greek Orthodox Youth Association and is a member of the Spanish and INTERACT clubs.  She is a volunteer youth dance and volleyball instructor and has led several local food, toy and backpack lunch drives.  Her father, Richard Zika, works in the cold mill department at the company's Butler Works.