AK Steel Names Scholarship Winners
26 May 2000
AK Steel Names 20 Sons and Daughters Scholarship Winners for 2000
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio, May 24 The sons and daughters of 20 AK
Steel employees have been selected to receive the company's 2000 college
scholarship awards. The scholarships, worth $16,000, are awarded annually
based solely on academic merit, school activities, after-school work and
community involvement. An independent academic panel selects the student
scholars.
"The announcement of these scholarships is truly one of the highlights of
my job," said Richard M. Wardrop, chairman and chief executive officer of AK
Steel. "There is nothing to compare to rejuvenation of the spirit that comes
from presenting these terrific rewards to the newest class of graduating AK
Steel sons and daughters."
Receiving AK Steel Sons and Daughters Scholarships for 2000 are:
* Carl T. Arthur, son of Frank, Jr. and Cindy Arthur of Flatwoods,
Kentucky. Carl graduates from Russell High School in Russell, Kentucky, where
he has been student government president, a governor's scholar and a United
Way student representative. Frank Arthur, Jr. works in the ironmaking
department at AK Steel's Ashland, Kentucky, Works.
* Joshua Beblo, son of Brian and Karen Beblo of Cabot, Pennsylvania.
Joshua graduates from Knoch High School in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania where he
has been involved in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, tutoring,
track and a member of the National Honor Society. Brian Beblo works in the
shipping department of AK Steel's Butler, Pennsylvania, Works.
* Sara Marie Becker, daughter of John and Linda Becker of Ashland,
Kentucky. Sara graduates from Boyd County High School in Ashland where she
has been Key Club president, a member of the student council and a Governor's
Scholar. She also works with Special Olympics and the Salvation Army. John
Becker works in the steelmaking department at the Ashland Works.
* Rebecca Lee Blistan, daughter of Gerald and Karen Blistan of Middletown,
Ohio. Rebecca graduates from Middletown High School where she has been a
member of The National Honor Society as well as being involved in student
government, orchestra and theater. Rebecca teaches dance and violin and is a
childcare provider. Gerald Blistan works in customer technical services at
the company's corporate headquarters in Middletown.
* Jayme L. Cygan, daughter of Debbie and Larry Cygan of Butler,
Pennsylvania. Jayme graduates from Butler High School where she has been a
member of the National Honor Society, student council and yearbook staff. She
has also participated in track and field and French club. Jayme is a hospital
candystriper and a church volunteer. Debbie Cygan is an executive assistant
at the company's sales office in Wexford, Pennsylvania office and Larry Cygan
is a technical repairman at the company's Butler Works.
* Kylee Ann DeNome, daughter of Lou and Sandy DeNome of New Wilmington,
Pennsylvania. Kylee graduates from Wilmington Area High School where she has
participated in track and field, dance, student council and theater arts.
Kylee has also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Salivation Army and has
assisted disabled children. Lou DeNome works in human resources for AK
Steel's Sawhill Tubular Division in Sharon, Pennsylvania.
* Michelle Dineen, daughter of Joseph and Barbara Dineen of Monroe, Ohio.
Michelle graduates from Lemon-Monroe High School where she has been a member
of the National Honor Society, student council and has participated in soccer
and basketball. In her community, Michelle volunteers for Habitat for
Humanity, church Christmas drives and youth sports. Joe Dineen works in AK
Steel's order planning department at the corporate office in Middletown.
* Dan Ellerbrock, son of David and Mary Ann Ellerbrock of Indian Springs,
Ohio. Dan graduates from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati where he has
taken numerous advanced placement courses and has been involved in various
school bands, was a tutor and math club co-captain. Dan performs a number of
volunteer services at Sacred Heart Church in Fairfield, Ohio. David
Ellerbrock works in AK Steel's corporate research department in Middletown.
* Dana Beth Frishkorn, daughter of Kenneth and Vicki Frishkorn of
Zelienople, Pennsylvania. Dana graduates from Seneca Valley High School in
Harmony, Pennsylvania, where she has been a member of the National Honor
Society, scholastic award recipient, student council president and a member of
several musical and theater groups. In her community, Dana volunteers for
several church outreach programs and a community health center. Kenneth
Frishkorn works in the roll shop at the company's Butler, Pennsylvania, Works.
* William Alexander Gaeth, son of Richard and Pamela Gaeth of
Damariscotta, Maine. William graduates from Lincoln Academy in Newcastle,
Maine, where he has been a member of the National Honor Society, president of
his senior class, an honors Spanish student and a member of the golf team.
William volunteers for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, the American Red
Cross and church food drives. Richard Gaeth works for Douglas Dynamics
Company, a subsidiary of AK Steel which manufacturers snow plows and ice
control products.
* Jennifer Lynn Lange, daughter of Thomas and Peggy Lange of Trenton,
Ohio. Jennifer graduates from Edgewood High School where she has been a
member of The National Honor Society, student council, German Honor Society
and captain of the softball team. She has been a volunteer for Habitat for
Humanity, community soup kitchens, humane associations and the Juvenile
Diabetes Foundation. Thomas Lange works in the electronic repair department
of AK Steel's Middletown Works.
* William Andrew Lewis, son of William P. and Andrea Lewis of Grayson,
Kentucky. William graduates from East Carter County High School where he has
been a National Merit scholar, Governor's Scholar, academic team captain as
well as a band member and French competition winner. William volunteers for
the March of Dimes and community Christmas programs. The senior William Lewis
works in the finishing department of AK Steel's Ashland, Kentucky, Works.
* Jennifer Lynn Miller, daughter of Donald and Angelina Miller of
Newburgh, Indiana. Jennifer graduates from Castle High School where she has
been a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, student
council, music and sports. She volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, community
food drives and the Evansville (IN) Rescue Mission. Donald Miller works in
the rolling mill department of AK Steel's Rockport Works.
* Megan Pate, daughter of Sandra and Richard Pate of Trenton, Ohio. Megan
graduates from Edgewood High School where she has been a member of the
National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, varsity sports captain and
serves as a teacher's aide. In her community, Megan volunteers for Habitat
for Humanity, Feed the Hungry and vacation bible school. Sandra Pate works in
the payroll department at AK Steel's corporate office in Middletown.
* Shawn E. Steiner, son of William and Audrey Steiner of Sharon,
Pennsylvania. Shawn graduates from Sharon High School where he has been a
member of the National Honor Society, Spanish club and volleyball team
captain. In his community Shawn is a Sunday school teacher and volunteers for
community shelters and outreach programs. William Steiner works in the
shipping department of AK Steel's Sawhill Tubular Division in Sharon.
* Emily Suzanne Thompson, daughter of Charles and Debra Thompson of
Parker, Pennsylvania. Emily graduates from Allegheny-Clarion Valley High
School in Foxburg, Pennsylvania, where she has been a member of the National
Honor Society, class president and a member of several musical groups and
sports teams. Emily volunteers at nursing homes, as a peer mentor and for
community youth groups. Charles Thompson works in the maintenance department
at AK Steel's Butler Works.
* Eric M. Tichansky, son of Gary and Mary Tichansky of Chicora,
Pennsylvania. Eric graduates from Karns City High School where he has been a
member of the National Honor Society, president of the Robotics Club and
president of the amateur radio club. In his community, Eric volunteers for
the American Red Cross and numerous amateur radio emergency drills. Gary
Tichansky works in the steelmaking department at AK Steel's Butler Works.
* Andrew D. Updegraff, son of Calvin and Lynne Updegraff of Butler,
Pennsylvania. Andrew graduates from Knoch High School in Saxonburg,
Pennsylvania, where he has been a member of the National Honor Society,
several musical groups, captain of the tennis team and a National Merit
Scholar. In his community Andrew volunteers by playing music for nursing
homes and other community events. Calvin Updegraff works in the information
systems department at AK Steel's Butler Works.
* Erin Michelle Wallace, daughter of James, Jr. and Carmon Wallace of
Middletown, Ohio. Erin graduates from Middletown High School where she has
been a member of the National Honor Society, French National Honor Society,
student government and yearbook staff. In her community, Erin volunteers for
Middfest International, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and
All-America Weekend. James Wallace, Jr. works in manufacturing planning at
the company's Middletown Works.
* Amanda Young, daughter of Russel and Carolyn Young of West Chester,
Ohio. Amanda graduates from Lakota East High School where she has been a
member of the National Honor Society, numerous musical groups and has been
involved in student journalism activities. In her community Amanda has
volunteered for community outreach programs, political candidates and
professional sporting events. Russel Young works in electrical maintenance
and control at the company's Middletown Works.
The AK Steel Sons and Daughters scholarships are funded by the AK Steel
Foundation, which has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to 120
students since 1989. The scholars and their parents will be honored in a
ceremony in Middletown next month.
The AK Steel Foundation also contributes significantly to cultural and
charitable organizations in communities where the company has significant
operations. AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical
steel products for automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing
markets, as well as standard pipe and tubular steel products. AK Steel is
headquartered in Middletown, Ohio. It employs about 11,000 men and women in
steel plants and offices in Middletown, Coshocton, Mansfield, Warren and
Zanesville, Ohio; Ashland, Kentucky; Rockport, Indiana; and Butler, Sharon and
Wheatland, Pennsylvania. AK Steel also produces snow and ice control
products, and operates a major industrial park on the Houston, Texas ship
channel.