AK Steel Announces Company's 2011 Sons and Daughters Scholarship Recipients

WEST CHESTER, OH--May 6, 2011: 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.

2011 Scholarship Recipients:

• Tyler Alan , son of Gregory and Bonnie Alan of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania.

Tyler attends Pine-Richland High School where he is an honor student, a member of the National Honor Society and an AP scholar.  He participates in the National Financial Literacy Challenge and is a state finalist in Future Business Leaders of America.  Tyler is captain of the varsity soccer team and a track team competitor.  He is also active in jazz ensemble, marching band, concert band, musical pit orchestra and student council.  Tyler is an Eagle Scout and volunteer musician at several senior citizen retirement homes in his community.  His mother, Bonnie Alan, works in the quality department at Butler Works.

• Michael Clouse , son of William and Heidi Clouse of Wexford, Pennsylvania.

Michael attends Pine-Richland High School where he is an AP scholar, a National Merit Commended Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society.  He participates in the Gifted and Talented Education Program and the American Legion Oratorical Competition.  Michael is a member of the cross country and track teams, wind ensemble, marching band, symphonic band and the Allegheny Valley honors band.  He is also an Eagle Scout, a volunteer camp counselor and a member of his church music ministry.  Michael's father, William Clouse, works in the quality department at Butler Works.

• Joel Collins , son of Stephen and Marlene Collins of Lebanon, Ohio.

Joel attends Lebanon High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Greater Western Ohio Scholar Athlete Award and the Harmon Civic Trust Award.  He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a four-year lettering member of the varsity swim team.  Joel participates in fundraising activities that benefit the YMCA's Caring for Families Scholarship Program.  He also helps raise money for the development of clean water sources in Nigeria.  Joel's father, Stephen Collins, works in the North processing department at Middletown Works.

• Alaynee Fink, daughter of Terrence and Jennifer Fink of Middletown, Ohio.

Alaynee attends Madison Junior / Senior High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the Presidential Award of Excellence, the Top Twenty Award and the Scholar Athlete Award.  She is also a Girl Scout and Buckeye Girls State delegate.  Alaynee participates in soccer, track, cross country, color guard, pep band, steel drum band, Youth Alive, art club and student council.  She is also a Big Brothers Big Sisters and Middletown Senior Center volunteer.  Alaynee's father, Terrence Fink, works in the North processing department at Middletown Works.

• Taylor Fox , daughter of Michael and Amy Fox of Warsaw, Ohio.

Taylor attends River View High School where she is president of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Student Athlete Academic Achievement Award and National Science Merit Award.  She is class president and a lettering member of the soccer, cross country, track and swim teams.  Taylor participates in math club, letterman's club, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Global Society.  She is also a member of the newspaper staff.  Taylor is a "Connect with Your Community" volunteer and a peer math tutor.  Her father, Michael Fox, works in the cold rolling department at Coshocton Works.

• Paige Hammerl , daughter of Mark and Heather Hammerl of Orion, Michigan.

Paige attends Lake Orion High School where she is an honor student and member of the National Honor Society.  She is a recipient of the Lamp of Learning Academic Award and several scholar athlete awards.  Paige is a lettering member of the varsity Lacrosse team, as well as a volleyball and soccer athlete.  She participates in student council, Earth club and the cultural outreach club.  Paige is a Relay for Life and food bank volunteer.  She also supports Bully Busters and church outreach programs in her community.  Her father, Mark Hammerl, works in product development and applications engineering at AK Steel's Detroit sales office.

• Meredith Harbison , daughter of Dan and Bonnie Harbison of Butler, Pennsylvania.

Meredith attends Butler Area Senior High School where she is an honor student, a member of the National Honor Society and an AP scholar.  She is a lettering member and state qualifier on the diving team, as well as a gymnastics, track and golf competitor.  She is also student council treasurer, Junior Classical League vice president, outdoor club co-president and a member of the art club. Meredith is a Caring Angels and Special Olympics volunteer, a vacation Bible school teacher and a youth diving instructor.  Her mother, Bonnie Harbison, works in the melting, casting and refractory services department at Butler Works.

• William McGuire , son of William and Beth McGuire of Middletown, Ohio.

William attends Madison Junior / Senior High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the YMCA Celebration of Character Award, the VIP Award and several scholar athlete awards.  He is also a Wendy's High School Heisman Award winner.   William is co-captain of the varsity football, basketball and track teams, as well as a state qualifier in the long jump.  He also participates in concert band and pep band.  He is an altar server for his church, as well as a volunteer fundraiser and youth sports leader.  William's father, William McGuire, works in the ironmaking department at Middletown Works.

• Sarah Miller , daughter of Keith and Joloyn Miller of West Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

Sarah attends Moniteau Junior / Senior High School where she is vice president of her class and a member of the National Honor Society.  She is a recipient of the Principal Honors Award, as well as an American Legion essay contest winner and Academic Decathlon medalist.  Sarah is a lettering member of the cross country and track teams, and captain of the dance and drill team.   She also participates in musicals, student council, concert band and Extreme Leadership.  Sarah is a Special Olympics, Valentines for Veterans and vacation Bible school volunteer.  Her father, Keith Miller, works in the North processing department at Butler Works.

• Christina Monnie , daughter of Mark and Ann Marie Monnie of Renfrew, Pennsylvania.

Christina attends Butler Area Senior High School where she is an AP scholar, member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the academic Gold Award.  She is a member of the varsity cross county, track and soccer teams, and is active in Latin club, Spanish club and student council.  She is also a member of the yearbook staff.  Christina is a Meals on Wheels, Relay for Life and Special Olympics volunteer.  She also participates in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk and has been recognized by "Who's Who" for leadership and service.  Her father, Mark Monnie, works in the central maintenance department at Butler Works.  

• Brianna Moran , daughter of Brian and Karin Moran of Coshocton, Ohio.

Brianna attends River View High School where she is an honor student, member of the National Honor Society and recipient of several scholar athlete awards.  She participates in varsity soccer and track, student council, math club, German club, letterman's club, light club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, 4-H and the Coshocton County Leadership Program.  Brianna is an American Red Cross, Relay for Life, Christmas Castle Project and Coshocton County Memorial Hospital volunteer.  She is also a 4-H camp counselor and junior church helper.  Brianna's father, Brian Moran, works in the cold rolling department at Coshocton Works.          

• Alex Newport , son of Roger and Barbara Newport of Mason, Ohio.

Alex attends Mason High School where he is an honor student, AP scholar, member of the National Honor Society and recipient of several academic achievement awards.  He is captain of the varsity soccer team and a member of the futsal club.  Alex participates in the TopSoccer program, helping young athletes with disabilities.  He is a Mathew 25: Ministries and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society volunteer, as well as an elementary school tutor.  He also participates in the Mason book drive and Kensie's Closest clothes drive.  Alex's father, Roger Newport, works in the business planning and development department at AK Steel's corporate headquarters.

• Bryce Pepper , son of Donald and Julie Pepper of Coshocton, Ohio.

Bryce attends River View High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society, a Wendy's High School Heisman Award winner and recipient of the AMC math award.  He is also a full-time student at Kent State University at Tuscarawas, where he is on the Dean's list and will receive his Associate's degree this spring.  Bryce was voted "Most Responsible" at the Northeast Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine Senior Leadership Program.  He is captain of the varsity soccer team, a member of the varsity baseball team and a Hope Clinic volunteer.  His father, Donald Pepper, works in the finishing and shipping department at Coshocton Works.

• Eric Pirollo , son of Robert and Linda Pirollo of Allison Park, Pennsylvania.

Eric attends Hampton High School where he is an honor student and member of the National Honor Society.  He participates in Future Business Leaders of America, and has received awards for leadership in business math, sports management, entrepreneurship, banking and financial systems.  Eric is active in student council, Spanish club, Rotary Interact, Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week and CYO basketball.  He also participates in several church and community outreach programs, and is a hospital and food pantry volunteer.  Eric's mother, Linda Pirollo, works in the melting, casting and refractory services department at Butler Works.

• Ashton Porter , daughter of David and Shelia Porter of Grayson, Kentucky.

Ashton attends East Carter High School where she is an honor student, Carter County distinguished scholar and recipient of the National Science Award and President's Educational Award.  She was selected to attend the Pikeville College of Osteopathic Medicine Educational Prep Program.  Ashton is a member of the varsity softball team.  She is also active in student council and several clubs, including French club, 4-H club and Beta club.  Ashton participates in several church and community outreach programs, and is a Salvation Army and little league softball volunteer.  Her father, David Porter, works at the Ashland Works coke plant.

• Jessica Rohr , daughter of Christopher and Jody Rohr of Millersburg, Ohio.

Jessica attends West Holmes High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, senior class treasurer and a Hugh O'Brian Leadership Award winner.  She was also nominated for Buckeye Girls State.  Jessica is a member of the All-Ohio State Fair Band, Tri-County Honors Band and OMEA District 10 Honors Band.  She also participates in marching band, chamber choir and school musicals.  Jessica is a Salvation Army, Project Linus and Mountain View shoe drive volunteer.  She also participates in church mission trips.  Her father, Christopher Rohr, works in the quality department at Coshocton Works.

• Katie Sampsel , daughter of James and Kandy Sampsel of Fresno, Ohio.

Katie attends River View High School where she is a class officer, scholar athlete, member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the 4.0 Award.  She also attends Kent State University at Tuscarawas, where she is on the Dean's list.  Katie is a lettering member, and captain, of the varsity soccer team.  She participates in math club, letterman's club, German club, Students Against Destructive Decisions and FCCLA.  Katie organized the first "Shoot for the Cure" event at her high school.  She is also a Relay for Life and Salvation Army volunteer.  Katie's father, James Sampsel, works in the cold rolling department at Coshocton Works.

• Savannah Smith , daughter of Bryan and Judith Smith of Grayson, Kentucky.

Savannah attends East Carter High School where she was named to Who's Who among America's high school students.  She is an honor student, distinguished scholar and recipient of the FCCLA National Gold Medal Award for public speaking.  Savannah is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, vice president of Future Business Leaders of America, treasurer of Future Educators of America and secretary of the National French Honors Society.  She is a youth cheerleading coach, Relay for Life, March of Dimes, Salvation Army and Sunday school volunteer.  Her father, Bryan Smith, works in the finishing department at Ashland Works.

• Derek Wilbert , son of Richard and Carol Wilbert of Butler, Pennsylvania.

Derek attends Butler Area Senior High School where he is an honor student, member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the President's Award.  He also received an academic award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Derek is a member of the varsity volleyball team, as well as a sand volleyball competitor.  He is editor of the Butler Literary Magazine and participates in Future Business Leaders of America, where he is a state qualifier.  Derek is a high school orientation and youth volleyball tournament volunteer.  His father, Richard Wilbert, works in the electrical finishing department at Butler Works.

• James Zellhart , son of Michael and Beth Zellhart of Butler, Pennsylvania.

James attends Knoch High School where he is an AP scholar, member of the academic challenge team and recipient of the University of Rochester's Bausch and Lomb Science Award.  He is captain of the football team and was named first team all conference, a Valley News Dispatch All-Star and a member of the Butler Eagle's Sweet 16.  He is also captain of the track team and a member of the wrestling team.  James participates in math club, debate, student council, concert band and school musicals.  He is also a food bank and church volunteer.  His father, Michael Zellhart, works in the cold mill / roll grinding department at Butler Works.

About AK Steel

AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, appliance, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets.  The company employs about 6,200 men and women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pennsylvania; Ashland, Kentucky; Rockport, Indiana; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio.  Additional information about AK Steel is available on the company's web site at www.aksteel.com.

AK Tube LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 300 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio and Columbus, Indiana.  AK Tube produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive and other markets.