National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation awards scholarships

WESTERVILLE, OHIO, March 30, 2015 -- The National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation announced that it has recently awarded $25,000 from its Len Assante Scholarship Fund to 15 students across the country who are entering a field of study that serves, supports or promotes the groundwater professions.

Alexandra Polasko of Scottsdale, Ariz., received the Past President's Award -- the top scholarship presented to the most qualified of the applicants. Polasko, who received $3,500, is studying environmental sciences at the University of California, Berkeley.

Annette Hein of Laramie, Wyo., received the Ora Lyons Award named in honor of a former distinguished National Ground Water Association member. Hein, who also received $3,500, is studying geology at the University of Wyoming.

The other scholarship recipients, their areas of study and schools, are:

Kaitlyn Alrdrich of Urbandale, Iowa, hydrogeology, Iowa State University, $2,000
Maribeth Ault of Peach Bottom, Pa., environmental sciences, Juniata College, $1,000
Hannah Gibbs of London, Ky., environmental sciences, Centre College, $1,000
Erin Gray of Tucson, Ariz., hydrology, University of Arizona, $1,000
Brenden Green of Antelope, Calif., environmental sciences, Humboldt State University, $1,000
Kiloaulani Ka’awa-Gonzales of Kaunakakai, Hawaii, environmental sciences, Colorado State University, $2,000
Dylan Landon of Waterville, Wash., environmental sciences, California Polytechnic State University, $1,000
Katherine Landoni of Sequim, Wash., geology, school undecided, $2,000
Ythalya Ortuno of Houston, Texas, environmental sciences, Texas A&M University, $1,000
Amy Plechacek of Blacksburg, Va., environmental sciences, Virginia Tech, $1,000
Ryan Ronzoni of Goshen, N.Y., environmental sciences, Cornell University, $2,000
Tyler Rush of Black River Falls, Wis., hydrology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, $2,000
Sarah Welsh of Bellingham, Wash., environmental sciences, Harvard University, $1,000