Scholarship Winners

Tyler Birgy is the son of 798 Welder Steve Birgy, a 30-year member of Local 798. Tyler graduated from Forest Area High School in Fife Lake, Michigan, in 2013. Following graduation, he went to work as a Welder’s Helper, later becoming a member of Local 798. In December of 2013, Tyler enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces member (military police), spending a little over five years in the military. He spent time in San Antonio, Texas, for initial training, then went on to his first base in Adana, Turkey, in the summer of 2014. After a 15-month tour in Turkey, Tyler moved to Germany for two years. He traveled extensively in Europe, and from 2016 to 2017, he was deployed to the Turkish/Syrian border supporting NATO and U.S. Forces in the region. While in Europe, he worked security for the International Paris Air Show in Paris, France, for three weeks during the summer of 2017. This sparked Tyler’s interest in a possible career as a pilot after the military. While in the military, he received two Air Force Achievement medals. Tyler separated from the Air Force in 2019 as a staff sergeant based in Tucson, Arizona. After leaving the military in 2019, he returned to work as a Welder’s Helper and attended college during the winter. In January 2021, Tyler started Northwestern Michigan College’s aviation program full-time. Since then, he earned his private pilot license and his instrument rating, plus he made the dean’s list. Tyler’s future plans are to obtain his commercial pilot license and then start training for his flight instructor rating, where he can teach people to fly while building flight time and experience. He also plans to finish his bachelor’s degree at Davenport University.  Tyler’s dream is to be a commercial airline pilot or pursue a career flying private jets.

Rachel Emrick of Morehead, Kentucky, is the granddaughter of Billy J. Kidd, a Journeyman member of Local 798 for 56 years. Rachel graduated from Rowan County Senior High School (RCSHS) in 2020 as an honor student. During high school, she was a member of the Lady Viking varsity soccer team, the cross country team, Science Club, Spanish Club, SGA, and was the co-founder of the Political Debate Club. She was one of 25 students at RCSHS selected to participate in the first creative writing class for future writers. Rachel attended the STEM camp at the U. S. Naval Academy, the Henry Clay for Statesmanship camp at Transylvania University, and was one of 20 girls to attend the Cybersecurity Camp for Girls at the Citadel Military College of South Carolina. She was also chosen as an alternate for the Governor’s Scholars Program in Kentucky and was invited to attend the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Kentucky Girls State but could not attend. Rachel was also involved in the Military Skills Academy at RCSHS and helped build the program through fundraising and her volunteer work with the local veterans and the community. She was a member of the honor guard, the drill team, the rifle team, and the Alpha Raider Team in the Military Skills Academy program, where she received a “Cadet Proficiency Medal.” Rachel was inducted into the National Honor Society and was on the honor roll for all four high school years. She is currently attending Morehead State University, where she is a member of the ROTC program while maintaining a 3.75 GPA. Rachel was the recipient of the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship and the Kentucky Scholars Award. She is currently applying for a three-year Naval Scholarship and has been accepted to attend the Citadel Military College of South Carolina this fall.

Lane Foret is the grandson of Terry Adams, who has been a Welder member of Local 798 for 22 years. Born and raised in Schriever, Louisiana, Lane graduated from H.L. Bourgeois High School in 2020 as salutatorian with a 4.0 GPA. He served as the senior class vice president and was a member of the Student Council and National Honor Society. Lane now attends the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he has consistently maintained a 3.6 GPA as a political science major. He is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and his future plans include becoming certified as an American government teacher and owning a business.

Madison Gaines, of Dalhart, Texas, is the daughter of Stephanie and Welder Joe W. Gaines, a 22-year member of Local 798, and the granddaughter of the late Joe B. Gaines, a 21-year 798 member. She has two younger siblings, Joseph and Emily. Madison graduated as salutatorian from Dalhart High School in May 2020 with a health/science endorsement. While in high school, Madi participated in varsity tennis, varsity basketball, student council, and was student body vice-president. In June of 2020, Madison graduated summa cum lude from Frank Phillips College with her associate degree in science. She is currently attending the University of Texas in San Antonio (UTSA), majoring in Biology with a graduation date of December 2022. Madison was named to the UTSA dean’s list for the fall of 2020 and the president’s list for the spring and fall of 2021. Madison plans to attend physician assistant school after completing her undergraduate degree. In her spare time, Madison enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and playing video games.

Daylen Gray is the grandson of Journeyman Dennis Schrock, a 56-year member of Local 798. Daylen graduated from Monterey High School in 2021 with a 3.8 GPA. During his four years of high school, he was a member of the National Beta Club and the honor society. He was also a member of his high school basketball team and achieved the All-Academic state award his senior year. Daylen currently attends the University of Louisiana at Monroe, majoring in agribusiness. His future plan is to be a crop consultant.

Brendyn Harris from Kensett, Arkansas, is one of five children and the grandson of Journeyman member Lesley Harris, a 21-year member of Local 798. During high school, he was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, and Future Business Leaders of America. Brendyn was an honor roll student all four years of high school and played varsity basketball. He graduated from Little Rock Christian Academy in May of 2020. Brendyn is currently a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, majoring in political science with a minor in law studies. He has made the chancellor’s list all three semesters of college. Brendyn’s future plans are to graduate at the top of his class and then attend law school to become a defense attorney.

Emily Potts grew up in the small town of Moyers in southeast Oklahoma and is the daughter of Welder Marty Greger, a 14-year member of Local 798. Emily graduated from high school in 2019 as valedictorian of her class, allowing her to receive a Valedictorian Scholarship to her current university, Northeastern State University (NSU) where she is majoring in speech-language pathology (SLP). On July 9, 2021, Emily married her husband, Tucker, whom she met at NSU. She considers being married one of the greatest achievements in life, second to her salvation in Jesus. Since starting college, Emily has maintained an overall 3.9 GPA and a 4.0 in her major. Emily has also been on the president’s honor roll for the last three semesters. One feat she hopes to accomplish soon is her acceptance into grad school due to an accelerated degree program for SLP that would allow her to obtain her master’s degree a year early. Emily was a recipient of one of the General Scholarships awarded by the Pipeliners Voluntary Fund last year and was selected to sing the National Anthem at the 2019 and 2022 Steward School.

Katie Smith is the daughter of 25-year Welder member Clayton Smith and Jamie Smith of Foreman, AR. She was a 2020 graduate of Foreman High School, where she was co-valedictorian. During high school, Katie was inducted into the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She was also a Gator cheerleader for five years and was recognized as an NCA All-American cheerleader twice. Katie was a Foreman FFA horse judging team member, competing successfully at both district and state levels. Katie grew up riding horses and competed in barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying in several local high school rodeo associations. She is currently a pre-vet major pursuing a degree in agriculture science at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) in Magnolia. At SAU, Katie is a member of Sigma Alpha, where she is the chair for scholarship and bylaws, as well as a member of the pre-vet and biology club. Katie’s future plans include attending veterinary school and having her own veterinary practice one day.

Paige Tourangeau is the daughter of 35-year Welder member John Tourangeau and graduated from The Pennington School in 2021. During high school, Paige held multiple leadership positions and was a member of the Science Olympiad team. She is currently enrolled at Michigan State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in statistics. Since starting college, Paige has maintained a GPA of 3.75, which allowed her to qualify for the dean’s list last semester. In the future, Paige plans to pursue a master’s degree in statistics and looks forward to achieving her academic goals and applying this scholarship to her education.

Noralee Townsend, of Rose Bud, Arkansas, is the daughter of Chad, a 35-year Welder member, and Stephanie Townsend, a 23-year Helper member; and the granddaughter of Gary Townsend, a 57-year Welder member, and Marilyn Townsend, a 23-year Helper member; and the great-granddaughter of the late T.L. Townsend, a 58-year Helper member, and the great-great-granddaughter of the late William “Mack” McKay, Helper member. Noralee is attending the University of Arkansas with a 3.6 GPA. She is a double major in agriculture communications and agriculture leadership and is minoring in agricultural business. Noralee is a former Arkansas 4-H state officer, being the 2019-2020 Delta District vice president. She is currently a member of the University of Arkansas REPS Team, Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow, U of A Cattleman’s Association, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Collegiate FFA, and Collegiate 4-H. Noralee plans to graduate in May of 2024. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school.