The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) celebrated 13 consecutive years of furthering the careers and education of students pursuing a degree related to the building products industry by awarding seven scholarships to children of employees of AAMA member companies. The scholarship award winners were announced during the 2013 AAMA Summer Conference, held June 9-12, in Rosemont, Ill.

“AAMA is pleased to acknowledge the outstanding students who have dedicated themselves to academic and extracurricular endeavors in order to pursue a career in architecture, engineering and related fields,” says Rich Walker, AAMA’s president and CEO. “By supporting these students on their journey to further develop their knowledge and passion, we are hopeful they will make valuable contributions in the building products industry upon completing their education.”

The AAMA Scholarship is a one-time award of $2,000. All children of employees of AAMA member companies are eligible to obtain this financial aid for higher education in pursuit of a degree in an engineering or technical field relating to the building products industry. Applicants are judged on grade point average, college entrance exam scores and a 500-word essay. Eligible candidates must be high school seniors or college students who are children of employees of AAMA member companies in good standing.

“Each year, AAMA awards a minimum of three scholarships. This year, seven scholarships were awarded due to the generous contributions of AAMA members,” says Janice Yglesias, AAMA’s association services director.

Each year, one of the AAMA-funded scholarships commemorates a significant milestone or achievement for the association. The commemorative award, known this year as the AAMA Certification Gold Label 50th Anniversary Scholarship Award, is given to the top-ranking scholarship applicant.

The recipient of the AAMA Certification Gold Label 50th Anniversary Scholarship Award is Sonja Postak, a sophomore at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she is currently majoring in materials engineering. Postak graduated from Laurel High School in 2011 with a 3.9 GPA, where she was a member of the cross country, debate and cycling teams, as well as a member of student government. Postak is also an active volunteer, where she spends her time helping children in poverty. Among her accomplishments, Postak is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including National Forensics League All American Award, Outstanding Distinction by the National Forensics League and the City Award for chemistry. Her mother, Lori Postak, is an employee of Quanex Building Products in Solon, Ohio.

The first 2013 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Ryan Sievers, a soon-to-be freshman at Iowa State University, where he will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Sievers graduated from Pella High School in May with a 4.0 GPA, where he was a member of the cross country, track and debate teams, as well as participated in the Physics Olympics, Science Bowl and Pella Explore Near Space program. In high school, Sievers’ favorite classes were engineering and design and digital electronics. His father, Bruce Sievers, is an employee of Pella Corporation in Pella, Iowa.

The second 2013 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Melissa Hereida, a soon-to-be freshman at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, where she will pursue a degree in engineering. Hereida graduated from Pella High School in May with a 4.1 GPA, where she participated in extracurricular activities such as Battle of the Books, National Honors Society and the high school orchestra.  Hereida’s interest in engineering began when she took a principles of engineering class and learned about the impact engineering has on the world. Her mother, Sheila Heredia, is an employee of Pella Corporation in Pella, Iowa.

The third 2013 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Michelle Hereida, Melissa’s twin sister and a soon-to-be freshman at Washington University in St. Louis, where she will be studying chemical engineering. Hereida graduated from Pella High School in May with a 4.1 GPA. During high school, Hereida was a member of the National Honors Society, as well as was a National Merit Finalist. Additionally, Hereida is an active volunteer, giving her time to the Pella Regional Health Center for more than 250 hours since 2011.

The fourth 2013 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Dominic Nickel, a soon-to-be freshman at University of the Fraser Valley, where he will be studying engineering mathematics. Nickel graduated from D.W. Poppy Secondary School in June with a 4.0 GPA, where he was a member of the volleyball team and was on the honor roll for four years. Nickel’s interest in the building industry started at the age of 13, when he began working a part-time job installing windows and doors. His father, Georg Nickel, is an employee of Innotech Windows + Doors Inc. in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

The fifth 2013 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Ben Sharp, a soon-to-be freshman at Butler University, where he will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Sharp graduated from Franklin Central High School in May with a 4.1 GPA, where he was ranked eighth in his class out of nearly 600 students. While in high school, Sharp was a member of the National Honors Society, an AP Scholar and has been on the honor roll for more than eight years. He also has been an active volunteer, with more than 100 hours of service for various organizations since 2011. His father, Stephen Sharp, is an employee of Sherwin-Williams Co., in Hamilton, Ohio.

The sixth 2013 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Jenna Seaser, a sophomore at Michigan Technological University, where she is studying mechanical engineering. Seaser graduated from Owatonna Senior High School in June with a 3.8 GPA, where she was a member of the Pep Band, Math League, Society of Women Engineers and American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Seaser plans to use her degree in mechanical engineering to help people in Third World countries. Her father, Jim Seaser, is an employee of Truth Hardware Corporation in Owatonna, Minn.

“In addition to these national awards, AAMA member companies have the opportunity to participate in the Scholarship Partner Program to provide a scholarship opportunity for children of their own employees,” says Yglesias.

Quanex Building Products and Graham Architectural Products have been AAMA Scholarship Partners since the program’s inception in 2003 with Milgard Manufacturing joining the Partner Program in 2008. In 2013, Simonton Windows and Architectural Testing joined as Partners.

Paige Waskow, an upcoming junior at Texas A&M University, is the recipient of the Henry and Carole Taylor Family Scholarship from Architectural Testing, Inc. Milgard Manufacturing awarded two scholarships: Kyle Dupuy, a soon-to-be freshman at California Polytechnic State University, and Lauren Saunders, a soon-to-be freshman at Gonzaga University. Additionally, Quanex Building Products awarded two Ron Sandwith Scholarships to Alixandre Carman, a junior at Eastern Washington University, and Ryne Peterson, a soon-to-be freshman at Columbia Basin College. Caden Brooker, a soon-to-be freshman at the University of Akron, is the recipient of the Simonton Windows Scholarship.

For more information, visit the AAMA Scholarship Program web page or contact Jannine Klemencic, AAMA’s association services assistant. Videos of the AAMA Scholarship Award winners accepting their awards can be found on our YouTube Channel.

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