American Water Board of Directors Honors Nine Students Nationwide for Scholastic Achievement
American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation's largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, today announced recipients of the 21st annual James V. LaFrankie Scholarship Awards. The awards were distributed nationwide to nine college-bound children of full-time American Water employees, who demonstrate an interest in water-related industry occupational fields.
Out of 57 applicants, American Water selected nine high school seniors based on their outstanding high school records, academic honors, participation in extracurricular activities and teacher recommendations. The scholarships are awarded for a term of one year in individual awards of $1,000. Scholarship renewal is contingent upon the student's academic progress and may be renewed up to three years.
The scholarship award recipients are as follows:
- Laken Adkins of Salt Rock, W.Va., daughter of David Burns, Field Service Representative in Salt Rock, W.Va.
- Sara Bommarito of Saint Louis, Mo., daughter of Gaetano (Tom) Bommarito, Operations Supervisor in Saint Louis, Mo.
- Leah Brooks of Peoria, Ill, daughter of D. Todd Brooks, Service Man in Peoria, Ill.
- Carolyn Chelius of Haddon Township, N.J., daughter of James Chelius, Engineering Director in Mt. Laurel, N.J.
- Daniel Crow of Salt Rock, W.Va., son of Charles Crow, Network Supervisor in Voorhees, N.J.
- Matthew McMahon of Robbinville, N.J., son of Kevin McMahon, Risk Management Director in Voorhees, N.J.
- Lauren Mesaros of Crawfordsville, Ind., daughter of Rich Mesaros, Plant Operator in Crawfordsville, Ind.
- Michael Necky of Voorhees, N.J., son of Carrie Necky, Executive Assistant in Voorhees, N.J.
- Paige Yungermann of St. Charles, Mo., daughter of Dave Yungermann, Operations Manager in St. Louis, Mo.
American Water President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Sterba, who sends a personal letter to each recipient, said, "American Water congratulates these students for their academic excellence and overall achievement. The students selected for this award each have an interest in water-related industry occupational fields, and American Water is proud to help them advance their education by supporting their academic and future career endeavors."
The American Water Board of Directors established the scholarship program in 1991 in honor of former American Water president, James LaFrankie. LaFrankie demonstrated the value he placed on college education by earning a degree at Georgetown University night school while working days at the Alexandria Virginia Water Company, now known as Virginia American Water. After that, LaFrankie excelled, climbing the ladder to increasingly responsible positions over his 44-year career with American Water, retiring as the company's president in 1991.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in more than 30 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.
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Contacts:
American Water
Denise Venuti Free
External Communications
Manager
856-309-4690
denise.free@amwater.com
