American Water, a publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, announced recipients of the 25th 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.
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:
- Jennifer Caggiano of Springfield, Pa., daughter of Frank Caggiano, Senior Data Analyst in Cherry Hill, N.J.
- Taylor Harris of St. Louis, Mo., daughter of Pamela Hoskins-Harris, former Business Analyst in O’Fallon, Mo.
- Earl Heim III. of Somers Points, N.J., son of Earl Richard Heim Jr., Operations Supervisor in Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
- Elizabeth Macko of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., daughter of Theresa Macko, Operations Support Specialist in Scranton, Pa.
- Cristopher Mezzina of Jackson, N.J., son of Sergio Mezzina, Production Supervisor in Colts Neck, N.J.
- Michael Paranich Jr. and Nicole Paranich of Mountain Top, Pa., children of Michael Paranich, Engineering Manager in Scranton, Pa.
- Meredith Quinn of Doylestown, Pa., daughter of Robert Quinn, Sr. Director of Process Excellence in Voorhees, N.J.
- Wren Woodburn of Pontiac, Ill., son of Kent Woodburn, Operations Supervisor in Pontiac, Ill.
“We are proud to award these scholarships to such extraordinary students who not only achieved the highest academic standards but also have an interest in water-related industry occupational fields,” said Brenda Holdnak, senior vice president of Human Resources. “It is important to us that we give students the opportunity to advance their education and support their academic and future career endeavors. We congratulate all of our winners and wish them the best of luck in their academic careers.”
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.
Source: American Water
