Scholarship Winners

2018/2019 Pipeliners Voluntary Fund Scholarships Awarded

The Pipeliners Voluntary Fund Scholarship Program is pleased to announce the following winners. These students successfully completed the scholarship program requirements and were selected as the highest-ranking applicants. The recipients were chosen by an independent evaluator that scored the applicants according to factors such as their grade point average, the difficulty level of their academic program, the strength of their recommendation letters, and the overall assessment of their essay.

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients, and to all of our candidates who are expanding their opportunities through the pursuit of higher education. Thanks also go to our contributors to the Voluntary Fund who have made this program possible.

Jacob Bieri-Brintnall resides in a small northern Michigan town with his parents, Kathleen Bieri and Bob Brintnall, both of whom are teachers, and his twin brother.    Jacob’s grandfather, Stanley Bieri, was a Welder member of Pipeliners Local 798 for over 64 years until his passing in 2016.  He will be transferring from Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) to Michigan Technological University this summer where his major is Chemical Engineering.  In the next 3 to 4 years, he plans to gain his bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree.

Jacob has always had a love of science and learning, and that manifested from a young age in school.  He attended a pre-engineering program in high school; as well as, being dual enrolled in college classes at NMC.  He graduated as Valedictorian of his class; was on the Dean’s List; and participated in Varsity Track, the National Honor Society, and the National Technical Honor Society.   While studying at NMC, Jacob was the Vice-President of Scholarship for his chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, made the Dean’s List every semester (4.0 GPA), and worked as a tutor in the math center.

After graduating from Michigan Technological University, Jacob hopes to work in Michigan so he can remain close to his family.

Aidan Dartlon is from Davenport, Oklahoma, and is the son of welder member, David Dartlon.  He is currently a sophomore CEAT student at Oklahoma State University (OSU) studying Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.  He is an unpaid undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Rouser.  He also currently holds two jobs as a tutor at the Mathematics Learning Success Center and works maintenance for a milling company.

Aidan has a passion for science which was first realized while taking AP Calculus and Physics in the OSSM Program at Central Tech in Drumright, Oklahoma.  He continued his studies at OSU where he is currently working on a team responding to NASA’s Micro-g Next EVA camera mount proposal that will be hosted this May at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Texas.  Last spring, Aidan and a friend won 1^st place in the CEAT Automation Day competition.  He has also achieved a General Honors Award from the Honor’s College.

Aidan plans to continue his research and finish his degree with a 4.0 GPA in May of 2021.  He will continue with his education to obtain his master’s degree.  After college, he will pursue a career oriented in spacecraft.  Aidan has always been deeply interested in space travel and believes, “The science developed for space ventures is very practical for use in other areas and can make life better for humanity, which is something I want to be a part of.”

Makenzie Dick is the daughter of Local 798 Welder member, Jimmy R Dick.  She is currently a sophomore at Louisiana State University majoring in Mass Communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in Political Science.  Makenzie is a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  She has also been on the President’s List.  Makenzie has worked as a laborer on the pipeline for the last two summers.  She feels that working in the field during the summers will benefit her future goals of working in the public relations sector of the pipeline industry.

Mckenzi Fisher is the daughter of Joseph Fisher, a Helper Member that has just recently within the past year joined the Local 798 family. She is from Mannington, West Virginia, and graduated from North Marion High School in Farmington, West Virginia, with a 3.8 GPA. In high school, along with excelling in academics, she also participated and excelled in multiple sports, including cheerleading, soccer, and track and field, acquiring three State Championship metals in track.

Upon graduation from high school, Mckenzi was accepted as a freshman into the West Virginia University School of Dentistry Department of Dental Hygiene program, where she plans to graduate in May 2019 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. She has made the Dean’s and President’s List throughout her college experience. She has been involved in West Virginia University’s Student Engagement and Leadership and currently serves as the President of the West Virginia University Student American Dental Hygiene Association.

After graduation, Mckenzi plans to work in a periodontal private practice in West Virginia until she gains working experience and would like to relocate to a practice out of state, as she loves to travel and explore the world.

Shelby Hathorn is the granddaughter of long-time Welder member, James Hathorn.  She was born in Shreveport, LA, but has lived in Spring, TX, since 2007.  Shelby is an Art & Design major with a 4.0 GPA at Harding University where she was awarded a four-year Honors Scholarship based on her GPA and ACT score after attending Klein Oak High School.

Shelby plans on graduating with a bachelor’s degree and training thru an internship during her junior and senior years.  She will also be traveling to England as part of Harding University’s International Study Program in the fall of 2019.  She enjoys reading, playing sports, watching movies, traveling, drawing, and is involved in Northside Christian Church.  She plans to become a teacher and freelance artist.

Sierra Mooney is the daughter of Boucher Mooney who is an 11-year member of Local 798.  She graduated from Archer City High School as Valedictorian and is currently studying Communication and Sports Management at Texas A&M University.  She is an active member of the Freshman Leadership Organization on campus and a member of Freshman Innovative Group which strives to provide a community for first-generation college freshman.  Sierra was recently accepted to be a counselor for the Fish Camp of 2019, where she will help college freshman with a smooth transition into college life this summer.  She is a new member of the Department of Communication Honors Program and finished her fall semester with a 4.0 GPA.  Sierra plans to one day become a Sports Reporter.

Benjamin North is a Helper member of Local 798 and is the third generation of a family of 798 welders and advocates for union labor.  He is currently a Freshman attending the University of Kentucky where he was named to the Dean’s list his first semester.  Before attending college, he was a scholar and athlete at Conner High School where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA and served as student body President his senior year.

While attending the University of Kentucky, he is pursuing a major in Business and Marketing that will advance his career in the pipeline industry.  He works as a team manager for the Wildcat football team which also helps support the cost of his education.

Blake Paulson is the son of 20-year 798 Welder member, David Paulson.  Blake went to high school in Becker, MN, and graduated with a 4.0 GPA and first in his class.  While in high school, he participated in track, football, wrestling, student council, the anti-drug advocacy group, graduation committee, robotics, theater, a musical, and an anchor with the student news.  He is especially proud of getting to serve as the student representative to the school board, sitting on the district’s Activities Committee, passing school district policy, achieving high honors, receiving the AAA Award for accomplishments in the arts, athletics, and academics, and speaking on behalf of his class at graduation.

Blake has maintained a 3.9 GPA and was recently elected as a Student Representative At-Large as one of only twenty representatives serving the entire University of Minnesota undergraduate student population.  In the future, he plans on attending law school, becoming a prosecutor and eventually serving the public as an elected official where he can represent and advocate for hardworking Americans, like his dad who has been an inspiration and model for him.

Chelsea Schneider is the daughter of Patrick and Vickie Schneider, and the granddaughter of Gladys and Billy Bassham, a 57-year Welder member of Local 798.  She graduated from Lexington High School in Lexington, TX.  While in high school, she was involved in several clubs and held many leadership positions such as National Technical Honor Society, the Thespian Society, Secretary of the National Honor Society, Secretary of the local 4-H chapter, President of the Interact Club, Captain of the Varsity Cheer squad, and member of the Varsity Tennis team.  She was also involved in One Act Play where she received Honorable Mention All-Star Cast for two years.

Chelsea is currently attending Texas Woman’s University where she is a part of the Rotaract Club as Secretary of Recruitment and the President’s Leadership Council as the Events/Retreats Coordinator.  She was recently selected to be part of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.  For the fall semester, she earned the honor of being placed on the Chancellor’s List.  For her educational career, Chelsea plans on earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and then attending graduate school to become a Speech Language Pathologist.

Olivia Voss is the daughter of Johnny & Catherine Voss, and the granddaughter of Mark Severn, a 36-year member of Local 798.  Olivia graduated as Valedictorian of her Haworth High School class.  She was involved in Quiz Bowl, Robotics, Show Choir, Key Club, Student Council, Varsity Softball & Basketball, Varsity Cheer,  Haworth Hi-5 Mentoring & Tutoring Program, Oklahoma Honor Society and National Honor Society.

Olivia is attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University working towards her bachelors in English Education.  She plans to teach at the high school level upon graduation.  Olivia has been a member of the 2016-2017 President’s Leadership Class, and an active member of SOSU’s Alumni Legacy Leaders, Cardinal Key Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, Alpha Chi Honor Society, and the Zeta Gamma chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.  She was a recipient of SOSU’s Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship and was one of the Top Ten Freshmen for the 2016-2017 school year.  Olivia also volunteers in the community.

Samantha Weems is the daughter of Welder member Gary Weems, the granddaughter of Welder member Sonny Weems, and the great-granddaughter of Helper member EW (Junior) Weems.  She graduated from West Ouachita High School in West Monroe, LA.  While attending, she maintained a 4.0 GPA and was Valedictorian.  She was also a part of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Spanish Club, Biology Club, Drama Club, and FFA.  Samantha played Varsity soccer for four years and served as captain her senior year.

Samantha is a freshman at Louisiana Tech University where she is on the Dean’s List and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.  She is majoring in Pre-Professional Speech-Language Pathology.  Her plans include attending graduate school to become a Speech Pathologist.

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