AK Steel Announces Sons and Daughters Scholarship Recipients

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio, May 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AK Steel today announced that twenty sons and daughters of AK Steel employees have been selected to receive the company's 2005 college scholarship awards. The scholarships are valued at up to $16,000 each and are funded by the AK Steel Foundation. Winners of the scholarships are selected by an independent academic panel based solely upon academic merit and non-academic achievements.

"AK Steel is once again proud to award its Sons and Daughters college scholarships to an exceptional group of young people," said James L. Wainscott, president and CEO of AK Steel. "We congratulate each of our scholarship recipients for their academic achievements and service to their schools and communities."

Recipients of the 2005 AK Steel Sons and Daughters Scholarships are:

Nicklaus Daley, son of William Daley and Teresa Daley, both of Middletown, Ohio. Nicklaus graduates from Bishop Fenwick High School where he has been a member of National Honor Society and a National Merit Scholars Commended Student and participated in football, track and field and the academic team. He is a member of the Middletown Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council and volunteered with the Big Brother/Big Sisters program. William Daley works in the steelmaking department of Middletown Works.

Shane Dyer, son of Charles Dyer of Catlettsburg, Kentucky and Peggy Wooten of Ashland, Kentucky, and step-son of Earl Wooten of Ashland. Shane graduates from Boyd County High School where he was a National Merit Scholars Commended Student, Kentucky Governor's Scholar and American Association of Teachers of German national award winner. He has been active in student council, Beta club, German club and the academic team. Shane volunteered for the Ashland Alliance Youth Leadership program and at a community kitchen. Earl Wooten works in the steelmaking department at Ashland Works.

Anthony Ferrara, son of Albert and Rita Ferrara of Springboro, Ohio. Anthony is a graduate of Upper St. Clair High School, Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania and is attending the University of Michigan. At Upper St. Clair High School he was captain of the National Engineering Design Competition team, member of National Honor Society and student council, and participated in football, track and baseball. Anthony received the outstanding male scholar athlete award and volunteered for the township library and his church youth group. Al Ferrara works in the finance department at the corporate office.

Michael Gabbard, son of Michael D. and Donna Gabbard of Middletown, Ohio. Michael graduates from Monroe High School where he is president of the National Honor Society, a scholar athlete and a Jesse Mayabb Scholar. He participated in soccer, tennis, Varsity "M" club and the academic quiz team. He volunteered for various community food drives, Hope House, Dream Center and other community service activities. Michael D. Gabbard works in the quality department at Middletown Works.

Charis Gambill, daughter of John and Cheryl Gambill of Ashland, Kentucky. Charis graduates from Paul G. Blazer High School where she is president of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, participated in tennis and is a member of National Honor Society, student council, Key, Spanish, Latin and Art clubs. She was an Elks Lodge Student of the Month, Reflections Essay winner, a mentor, and was active in Big Brothers/Big Sisters and her church youth group. John Gambill works in the finishing department at Ashland Works.

Samantha Gladd, daughter of Carl, Jr. and Sara Gladd of Butler, Pennsylvania. Samantha graduates from Moniteau High School where she received the Principal's Honors award and Scholar Athlete award. She has participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, district honors chorus, mixed choir ensemble, dance and drill team, volleyball and the Drama and Spanish clubs. She has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, highway clean-up and other community service activities. Carl Gladd, Jr. works in the north processing department at Butler Works.

Whitney Graham, daughter of David and Noelle Graham of Franklin, Ohio. Whitney graduates from Franklin High School where she is a member of National Honor Society, won first place honors in VFW and Rotary speech contests and received the student achievement award of the city of Franklin. She participated in cheerleading, Teens for Christ, academic competition team, French club and Thespians. She has been active in her church youth group, mission trips and the Middletown Community Youth Foundation. David Graham works in the transportation and services department at Middletown Works.

Thomas Hopkins, son of Rick Hopkins of Cincinnati, Ohio and Julie Moore of West Chester, Ohio, and step-son of Scott Moore of West Chester. Thomas graduates from Walnut Hills High School where he received academic awards in chemistry, mathematics and Latin. He was editor of the school newspaper and participated in marching band, ultimate frisbee, rugby and Math team. Active in Scouting, he was a Life Scout, member of the Order of the Arrow and completed 100 hours of community service as part of his Eagle Scout project. Scott Moore works in the transportation and services department at Middletown Works.

Kara Horn, daughter of Doug and Rhonda Horn of Franklin, Ohio. Kara graduates from Franklin High School where she is a member of National Honor Society and Art, French and Thespian clubs. She is a National Merit Scholars Commended Student and received the Outstanding Student Achievement award and the Optimist's Student of the Year award. Kara participated in soccer and basketball and she volunteered for Operation Bright Spot, OhioReads, United Way and church activities. Rhonda Horn works in the internal auditing department at the corporate office.

Evan Johnson, son of Mark and Kim Johnson of Middletown, Ohio. Evan graduates from Middletown High School and is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. He received the Student of the Month award as well as All-Academic Greater Miami Conference awards. Evan has participated in basketball, tennis, academic quiz team and Young Life. He has volunteered for Hope House, the Middletown Arboretum and All-American Weekend. Mark Johnson works in the mobiles, shops and maintenance technology department at Middletown Works.

Andrea Jutte, daughter of Ben and Susan Jutte of Franklin, Ohio. Andrea graduates from Franklin High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and has received a number of academic awards. She has been active in tennis, chamber chorus, madrigal choir, Thespians, French club, school musicals and plays and Teens for Christ. Andrea has volunteered to provide meals for the homeless, visit shut-ins and as a Sunday School teacher. Ben Jutte works in the mobiles, shops and maintenance technology department at Middletown Works.

Robert Lehman, son of Michael and Joyce Lehman of Middletown, Ohio. Robert graduates from Middletown High School where he received the Spanish department award and participated in the academic quiz team, orchestra, show choir, school musicals and Social Science and Spanish clubs. Robert has been active in Middletown Youth Symphony and community theater. He has volunteered for the Middletown Youth Commission, Hope House and Habitat for Humanity. Michael Lehman works in the human resources department at Middletown Works.

Stephen Maloney II, son of Steve and Diane Maloney of Springboro, Ohio. Stephen graduates from Springboro High School where he is a member of National Honor Society and has been active in student council, pride committee, S.A.D.D., yearbook and academic challenge team. He is a Miami University (Oxford) Scholar and member of the Principal's Advisory group. Stephen has volunteered for S.A.D.D., Ronald McDonald House and as a science tutor. Steve Maloney works in the north & south annealing department at Middletown Works.

Lindsay McFarland, daughter of Kenneth and Jacqueline McFarland of Butler, Pennsylvania. Lindsay graduates from Butler Area Senior High School where she is a member of National Honor Society and received a Gold Academic Achievement award. She participated in lacrosse, Spanish and Red Cross clubs. Lindsay volunteered as a Spanish tutor and for Caring Angels, the Symphony, Rotary Club and junior high youth group. She participated in a number of church mission trips to the Dominican Republic. Kenneth McFarland works in the shops maintenance planning department at Butler Works.

Kari Noble, daughter of Lawrence and Donna Noble of Franklin, Ohio. Kari graduates from Franklin High School where she has received a number of academic awards, including the Reinartz Award, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She participated in marching, concert, pep and honor bands, academic team, Ohio Math League, Thespians, school musicals and French club. She volunteered for community parades, the Middletown Civic Chorus, Ohio Energy Project and her church's Vacation Bible School. Lawrence Noble works in the south coating department at Middletown Works.

Tanya Nocera, daughter of Kevin and Joni Nocera of Butler, Pennsylvania. Tanya graduates from Butler Area Senior High School where she is a member of National Honor Society and received Presidential and Gold Academic Achievement awards, Outstanding Service and Outstanding Scholar Athlete awards. She participated in symphonic and marching bands, yearbook, basketball and Latin club. Tanya volunteered for Caring Angels, Special Olympics, Dunbar Community Center and church Vacation Bible School. Kevin Nocera works in the electric construction department at Butler Works.

Jessica Porch, daughter of Kent and Lisa Porch of Coshocton, Ohio. Jessica graduates from River View High School where she is a member of National Honor Society and received the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Leadership award and numerous other academic awards. She was captain of the soccer team, a teacher's aide and active in student council, Letterman and Math clubs, Yearbook and S.A.D.D. She volunteered for 4-H, Adopt-A- Highway, Salvation Army and at her church. Kent Porch works in the maintenance department at Coshocton Works.

Brianne Reiss, daughter of Brian and Amy Reiss of Coshocton, Ohio. Brianne graduates from River View High School where she is a member of National Honor Society and received academic awards including the Elk's Club Student of the Month. She participated in marching, symphonic, pep, jazz and honors bands, Ohio Model United Nations and S.A.D.D. She has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude's Research Center, Roscoe Village and her church youth group. Brian Reiss works in the finishing department of Coshocton Works.

Dana Sturtz, daughter of Gerald and Tanya Sturtz of Zanesville, Ohio. Dana graduates from West Muskingum High School where she is a member of National Honor Society and has received a number of academic achievement awards. She has been active in Future Business Leaders of America, soccer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Key club. She has volunteered as a tutor, at her church, at an animal shelter, Salvation Army and for other community organizations. Gerald Sturtz works in the safety department of the Coshocton/Zanesville Works.

Alicia West, daughter of Rick and Jeneane West of Newburgh, Indiana. Alicia graduates from Castle High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and has received a number of academic awards. She participated in cheerleading, Pep club, DECA marketing club, Business Professionals of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as a mentor. Alicia volunteered as a tutor and youth cheerleading coach as well as for cheerleading clinics, Race for the Cure and Relay for Life. Rick West works in the quality, outside processing/slab procurement department of Rockport Works.

Headquartered in Middletown, AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products for automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets, as well as tubular steel products.