It’s always a difficult decision, says All Aboard Foundation Fundraising and Event Coordinator Cassie Bicknell, but scholarship recipients have been chosen for this year.
“We had 20 applicants this year and all were very worthy of receiving a scholarship,” she said. “It was hard to narrow it down.”
Watco created the All Aboard Foundation as a philanthropic arm of the company to provide funding for a better quality of life in the communities we serve.
“We want our team members to be surrounded by communities that are growing and actively involved in the betterment of life and sustainability,” said Foundation President Brad Snow.
To that end, the Foundation established the scholarship program for graduating seniors who are dependents of Watco Team members. Recipients must be in good academic standing and be planning to attend a post-secondary institution within one year of graduating from high school.
This year’s recipients, each receiving $500, are:
Brian Skilling
Brian’s parents are Christopher and Mary Ann Skilling. Mary Ann is an account manager for Watco Supply Chain Services in San Antonio, Texas. Brian will attend Monmouth University in West Long Brand, NJ, where he will major in Communications Public Relations and Sports Broadcasting. Brian’s career hope is to work in the Sports Media and Broadcasting field.
Connor Smith
Connor’s parents are Robert and Elizabeth Smith. Robert is a business solutions analyst in the home office in Pittsburg, Kansas. Connor will be attending Kansas State University in Manhattan this fall. He will be majoring in business, with a possible emphasis in accounting. His plan is to either become an accountant or an FBI agent.
Ethan Burke
Ethan’s parents are Misty and Ryan Burke of Parsons, Kansas. Ryan is a help desk analyst in Information Systems at the home office in Pittsburg, Kansas. Ethan will be attending Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, in the fall, where he will major in pre-pharmacy and biomedical chemistry. He would like to work in research in the pharmaceutical field.
Jacob Wiebelhaus
Jacob’s parents are Sarah and John Wiebelhaus of Victoria, Texas. John is a Terminal Manager in Refugio, Texas. Jacob will be attending Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He will major in kinesiology and minor in business management. He dreams of becoming a coach and a teacher.
Joseph Robinson
Joseph’s parents are Dana and Jerry Robinson of Blaine, Washington. Jerry is a rover/conductor in Ferndale, Washington. Joseph plans to attend the University of Washington. Active in sports, he also has been a member of the band, math team, and drama club.
Taylor Morgan
Taylor’s parents are Steven and Jolene Morgan of LaCrosse, Kansas. Steven is a roadmaster on the KO Railroad. Taylor plans to attend Ft. Hays State University in Ft. Hays, Kansas, and earn an associate’s degree in pre-pharmacy science, then continue her education at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Taylor wants to pursue a career in the medical field.