Meet PSI's 2024 Scholarship Winners! | |
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Before moving on to the 2025 scholarship program, the ReMA PSI Chapter wants to recognize the 2024 scholarship winners once again for their academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
This year, 19 students—all dependents of employees in the recycling divisions of PSI member companies—received PSI scholarships to pay for certificate or degree programs at technical, trade, and vocational schools as well as two-year or four-year post-secondary institutions. PSI awarded $50,000 in scholarships, including one $5,000 grand-prize scholarship and 18 $2,500 merit scholarships.
This year’s winners, along with their sponsoring ReMA/PSI Chapter member company/location, are as follows:
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$5,000 Grand-Prize
Scholarship Winner
■ Maximus Krasinski, WestRock (Marietta, Ga.).
Max’s teachers applauded his “superior intellectual aptitude” and “great mathematical insight,” which he displayed throughout his demanding class schedule. In addition to excelling in his school’s AP classes in government, calculus, and economics, he enrolled in additional AP courses through the Georgia Virtual School in calculus, physics, economics, and statistics. Max’s hard academic work earned him an unweighted 4.2 GPA. Beyond the classroom, he was director of football operations for his school’s team during his sophomore and junior years, president of the Technology Student Association at his school, and a member of the West Georgia Youth Shotgun Team. He also found time to attend Generations Dance Academy and work at a cattle and strawberry farm. Max plans to study mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech. (Photo: Maximus Krasinski (right) with his father Michael.)
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$2,500 Merit Scholarship Winners | |
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■ Matthew Felker, Greif (Columbus, Ohio).
Those who know Matthew say he likes to work and keep busy, which enabled him to carry a heavy load of academic and extracurricular activities throughout high school, including playing soccer and baseball, running cross-country, and earning a place in the National Honor Society. He believes that pain is temporary, and no matter how challenging the present is, the pain will be worth it to achieve his goals. He plans to attend The Citadel and major in civil engineering, which he hopes to use to create processes and improve existing production systems. (Photo: Matthew Felker and father Michael.)
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■ Natalie Hernandez, WestRock (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).
Natalie’s references praised her as a strong, hard-working student who can work both independently and with her peers. She attended McFatter Technical High School, where she learned to work on computer-aided design software programs such as AutoCAD and Revit. In fact, she placed fifth nationally in the use of those programs and will soon be a certified drafter. Beyond her academics, Natalie was active in her school’s Spanish Club and served as treasurer of PAWS, an animal advocacy group. She plans to attend Florida Atlantic University. (Photo: Natalie Hernandez and mother Paula.)
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■ Joshua Johnson, Radius Recycling (Atlanta).
Joshua is a writer, athlete, artist, and multi-instrument musician, with skills playing the bass trombone, French horn, piano, and trumpet. His musical activities have included marching in Disney parades, traveling with his school’s jazz band, and playing in several wind ensembles. In addition, he was a member of his school’s chess club and is a skilled programmer. He plans to attend Kennesaw State University. (Photo: Joshua Johnson and mother LeAnne.)
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■ Bethany King, Greif (Smyrna, Ga.).
In addition to earning a 3.9 GPA and graduating with honors in the top 10% of her class, Bethany received a Scholar Award and a Business Communication Award in the Georgia Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) regional competition. She also was a finalist in the Governor’s Honors Program. In terms of extracurriculars, she played varsity soccer for four years and flag football on the state championship team, and she served as drum major on her school’s marching band. Bethany also was a leader or member of various clubs, including Future Business Leaders of America, Key Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society, National Arts Honor Society, and National French Honor Society. What’s more, she participated in volunteer programs at school and in the community. She plans to attend Kennesaw State University. (Photo: Bethany King and mother Kelley.)
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■ Paige Lowry, International Paper (Memphis, Tenn.).
Paige’s teachers applauded her as an outstanding, well-rounded student who was always ready to help students in need of academic assistance. Beyond being involved at many leadership levels, she sings in several choirs—at church, school, and special ensembles—participates on the dance team, was on the varsity soccer team, and plays alto sax. She also volunteers in her community on mission programs, church preschool, and summer camp. She plans to attend Mississippi State University. (Photo: Paige Lowry (right) with father Richard.)
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Trinity McKithen, WestRock (Atlanta).
Trinity—like other applicants this year—spent many months learning online due to the pandemic, which impacted her academic performance. Determined to achieve, however, she raised her grades, demonstrating resilience and determination. Beyond her coursework, she was a cheerleader, participated in the dance council, served as a student aide athletic trainer, and was a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. At Florida A&M University, Trinity hopes to pursue a career in biology with a pre-med focus. (Photo: Trinity McKithen (center) with mother April Brunson and Brian Fortson, senior manager recovered fiber solutions.)
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Dylan Mordasiewicz, Waste Management (Lombard, Ill.).
Recognized as a hard-working, intelligent student, Dylan took 11 AP classes and another 12 honors classes, and he is a member of the National Honor Society and a state scholar. Even with his heavy academic load, he played soccer for four years and logged more than 100 volunteer hours, including working at Misericordia Heart of Mercy Home. Dylan’s greatest commitment was to his school’s symphonic, marching, and pep bands. He plans to major in engineering at Purdue University. (Photo: Dylan Mordasiewicz (right) with mother Michela Secco Mordasiewicz.)
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Samantha Niewiarowski, The Wilmington Group (Parsippany, N.J.).
Samantha earned a 4.1 GPA, graduated in the top 20% of her class, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Outside the classroom, she was a member of her school’s orchestra for three years and played softball for four years, including serving as team captain. She also held outside jobs during the school year as well as during summers, and she volunteered with the Randolph Township (N.J.) Board of Health. She plans to attend Kean University to study exercise science pre-AT/PT. (Photo: Samantha Niewiarowski (center) with Rick Notar (left), senior logistics manager, and father Chris.)
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Halle Nordt, Waste Management (Houston).
Halle received praise as the ultimate student athlete. Academically, she maintained high grades in advanced classes and earned membership in the National Honor Society. Athletically, Halle distinguished herself on the volleyball court and—in fact—she committed to play volleyball at Hardin-Simmons University, the same school where her sister (a 2023 PSI scholarship recipient) plays volleyball. Beyond her athletic ability, Halle is a talented artist, and she plans to study graphic design in college. (Photo: Halle Nordt and father Ryan.)
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Rose Snodgrass, International Paper (Bloomington, Minn.).
Rose’s references praised her detail focus, organizational abilities, and quick mind, noting that her math skills are excellent and that she could excel at college-level math. Aside from academics, she was involved in gymnastics, volunteered with Junior Optimist International, and held a part-time job. Rose has wanted to be a mechanical engineer since she was 8 years old. She is fascinated with machines and technology and would like to improve safety in the workplace. She plans to pursue those career dreams at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. (Photo: Rose Snodgrass and mother Anita.)
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Joshua Starrett Jr., International Paper (Memphis, Tenn.).
Joshua had a stellar academic record throughout high school, becoming a member of the National Honor Society and achieving an ACT test score of 34 (36 is perfect). Beyond academics, he acted in school theater productions, is a member of the International Thespian Society, was a math tutor, and was a reporter for his school’s magazine. Outside of school, he participated in his church youth group and in Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Joshua is interested in supply chain/data analytics and is considering data science as a major at Lipscomb University. (Photo: Joshua Starrett Jr. (center) with father Joshua Starrett Sr. (left) and Levell Hairston, VP and general manager, recycling.)
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Karan Toor, International Paper (Itasca, Ill.).
Karan’s high school grades were top rank, with at least 12 AP classes in which he received all A’s. Though he particularly loves math, he excelled in all of his courses. Karan is a member of several honor societies and has received a president’s education award as well as recognition as a scholar of distinction and a state scholar. Outside the classroom, he played club and varsity soccer and helped his team to a 20-1-3 record during his senior year. Karan plans to pursue a degree in finance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. (Photo: Karan Toor (right) with father Ravi.)
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Emily Uriostegui, Greif (Smyrna, Ga.).
Emily’s teachers recognized her as a hard worker who was able to prioritize her classwork even during soccer season, when that sport claimed much of her extracurricular time. Beyond school, she assumed a leadership role in the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy and mentored new members with compassion and kindness. Emily plans to study criminal justice at Kennesaw State University. (Photo: Emily Uriostegui and mother Marina Longoria.)
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Zach Von Worley, Greif (Santa Cruz, Calif.).
Zach received praise as an academically diligent student who combined creativity with strong research skills. He scored well in the 12 AP classes he took, and he earned an outstanding 1410 SAT score (with 730 in math). Beyond academics, Zach started the poetry club at his school, competed in the Ethics Bowl, and participated in the Model United Nations. He was honored to serve as a school trustee, sitting on several school committees, including the Principal’s Advisory Committee. At graduation, Zach won the school’s award for lasting impact on school culture. He plans to study computer science at Santa Clara University. (Photo: Zach Von Worley (right) with mother Kara Zahner.)
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Liam Wells, International Paper (Memphis, Tenn.).
Beyond acing 13 AP classes and exams and scoring 35 on the ACT test (36 is perfect), Liam is a problem-solver, computer coder, and computer builder. He built his first computer in 2020 from knowledge acquired in AP computer science class. He is an AP scholar with distinction, a National Honor Society member, and a German National Honor Society member. In addition, he played in his school’s varsity band and had an online internship diagnosing and repairing laptops. Liam plans to study computer science at Michigan State University. (Photo: Liam Wells and father Scott.)
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Anja Westenberg, Van Dyk Recycling Solutions (Norwalk, Conn.).
Anja was praised as a high achiever with a strong GPA from AP and honors classes, which earned her a place in the National Honor Society. Beyond academics, she played trumpet in her school’s marching band, served as a tech worker for the theater program, participated in peer leadership, was involved in the Gay-Straight Alliance, and helped out in the Children’s Leadership Training Institute. Anja plans to study education at Western Connecticut State University. (Photo: Anja Westenberg and father Gerrit.)
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Sean Williams, Greif (Copley, Ohio).
Sean had a glowing academic record and stood out as a leader in his school’s House Community system, serving as a house captain and overseeing 25 students from all grades. In addition to being a member of the National Honor Society, he was a student council member and a member of the Breast Cancer Awareness Club. He also played on his school’s basketball, golf, and baseball teams. In addition, Sean accumulated 249 hours of community service at school, church, and a local animal shelter. He plans to study engineering at Lewis and Clark Community College.(Photo: Sean Williams and father Peter.)
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Fiamma Zion, Bulrushed Books (Moscow, Idaho).
Fiamma is the PSI Chapter’s first home-schooled scholar and high achiever. She studied speech for three years and Latin for four years. She has a great work ethic and an independent, mature style. Fiamma is creative and challenges herself to stay a little out of the box. She plans to attend New Saint Andrews College. (Photo: Fiamma Zion.)
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