At the November 1st meeting, the Mid-West Fastener Association, for the 24th year, awarded their annual scholarships. This program began as an experiment and grew into a very successful program awarding nearly $400,000.00 over the years. Scott Mackay, Chicago 94.7 radio personality, was the featured guest speaker at this year's event. Scott told great stories of his
experiences in radio but most importantly expressed to attending students to follow their dreams. Scott knew he wanted to be a radio personality since the age of four but had to experience the trials and tribulations of the industry before achieving his goal in a big
city.

For several years, XL Screw has funded a scholarship in memory of one of their employees; Gail Petris. This tradition continues as we remember Gail. Gail was very active in the MWFA as well as serving on the Board of directors, the fastener industry and a valued
employee by XL. She is fondly missed but even more fondly remembered each year as a special student receives the award in Gail's memory. We were fortunate enough to have Gail's parents, Shirley and Don Caplan, and husband-Bob Petris join us to award the scholarship to this year's recipient. The association is very appreciative of XL's generous donation.

We also thank Federal Screw and ND Industries for funding a scholarship this year.

The following students were selected to receive this year's scholarships:

$2,500 Gail Petris Memorial Scholarship Award

Collin Galster, son of Pamela Galster of Brighton-Best. Collin is a freshman at Harvard University. He was on the Honor Roll all through High School. He received numerous awards including: Future Problem Solvers-State & International Qualifier, Mock Trial State Qualifier & Lead Attorney, Umpire of the Year, Pattonville MVP Award, along with many other scholastic and athletic awards. He plans to work for the United States government, perhaps even working with the Pentagon.

$2,000 Federal Screw Scholarship

Mary Mattern, an employee of QSN is continuing her education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is pursuing a medical degree with interests in bioethics, access to health care, those in under-served populations and emergency medicine.

She will be utilizing her graduate education in bioethics with medical school training to better serve patients and engage in the challenges and issues existing in modern medicine.

$2,000 ND Industries Scholarship

Christopher Purtell, son of David Thwaite of Metric & Multistandard. Christopher is a sophomore at Boston College majoring in Biology with a pre-medical/dental concentration. He plans to attend medical school and further his interest in pursuing a medical career.

$1,000 Scholarship Winners

Katherine Andrick, daughter of Stephen Andrick of Abbott-Interfast. Katherine is a senior at Elmhurst College. Katherine is pursuing a degree in music education and music theory composition. She has quite an impressive list of activities, awards and honors throughout high school as well as college. Katherine plans to teach as well as maintain a career as a professional musician.

Wayne Brin, son of Glen Brin-Innovative Components. Wayne is a freshman at Bradley University pursuing his degree in computer graphic design with a minor in business administration. He hopes to open his own computer graphics design business.

Chris Chubb, employee of QSN. Chris is currently attending Kennesaw State University pursuing a double major in Business Management and Accounting. Chris put his college career on hold due to family commitments but after 20 years in the fastener industry is pursuing his degree to expand his career as well as become a long-term valuable asset to his employer.

Gina LoBianco, daughter of Michale LoBianco of Gateway Screw. Gina is a junior at Eastern Illinois University majoring in English literature to become an English major. She plans on obtaining her Ph.D in English and becoming an English professor.

Christina Mims, daughter of Julia Konsella of Clarcorp Industrial Sales. Christina is a freshman at the University of the Arts where she studies dance. Christina plans to pursue a professional career in dance and eventually teach underprivileged children the art of dance.

Sarah Rhanor, daughter of Dorothy Mormann. Sarah has always been motivated and dreamed that she would attend college and have a foundation of good education for a successful career and accomplish her goals she set for herself. The career she has chosen is criminal justice and psychology and is attending Moraine Valley Community college for her first two years and will leave there with her associate's degree. She plans to continue her education at Eastern University where she will earn her Bachelors.

Rachael Ryan, daughter of Jeffrey Ryan Beacon Fasteners. Rachael is a senior at Mundelein High School. Rachael will continue on to college to pursue a major in a field of science/health.

Christopher Watkins, son of Tammy Watkins-Express Fasteners. Christopher is a freshman at Elgin Community college studying business management as well as aviation. He eventually hopes to teach.

Kalli Wirth, Daughter of Helen Wirth of Metric & Multistandard. Kalli is a freshman at Siena College majoring in Bio-Chemistry with hopes of becoming a field agent with the FBI specializing in evidence recovery.

Sarah Urhausen, daughter of Steve Urhausen of All American Systems. Sarah is a junior at St. Mary's of Notre Dame. Sarah is currently working towards her nursing degree and plans to continue on to earn
her masters in nursing.

Courtney Wishnew, daughter of Wayne Wishnew XL Screw. Courtney is a sophomore at Butler University. Courtney is majoring in Elementary Education with plans to teach 3rd grade. She is also pursuing her interest in Spanish with plans of studying abroad in Spain.

Katie Wishnew, daughter of Wayne Wishnew XL Screw. Katie is a sophomore at Butler University. Katie is majoring in
Education with minors in English Literature and Writing. She will also pursue a license in
special needs and children's literacy, as well as study abroad.

Amber Yerkes, daughter of John Yerkes of Holbrook Mfg. Amber is a freshman at Carthage College majoring in Psychology with a Pre-Medicine Route. She kept very busy in High School with many extracurricular, personal and work activities while staying on the honor roll all four years.

Brett Yost, son of Brian Yost, Endries Int'l.
Brett is a senior at St. Norbert College studying Math and Economics. After graduation he plans to attend Marquette University to pursue a gradate degree in Applied Economics.

Raphaella Zerey, daughter of Denise and Serge Zerey Fontana America. Raphaella is a sophomore at Boston University. Raphaella is pursuing a career in International Relations and later in Journalism. Because of her passion for languages, she hopes to live in and learn about as many countries as possible.

Ashley Arthur, daughter of Jeffrey Arthur of Matenaer Corp. Ashley is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ashley is majoring in Psychology. Her interest is in Psychology research and neurosciences.

Christopher Cavender, son of Jack Cavender-Kanebridge Corp. Christopher is a freshman at
SUNY Albany. He plans to graduate medical school as either an Emergency Medicine Doctor or as a General Surgeon.

Kevin Cosman, son of Samuel Cosman of Tower Fasteners. Kevin is a freshman at Rutgers University pursuing ha degree in Chemical Engineering. He plans to enter the research field of chemistry.

Amanda Pando, daughter of Kimberly Pando of Acme Industrial Co. Amanda is a senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Amanda is pursuing her degree in Psychology.

Aubree Phillips, daughter of Vickie Phillips of EFC Int'l. Aubree is a freshman at Belmont University working towards her degree in business and Entrepreneurship. She also plans to take fashion and designing classes from O'Moore College of Design.

Steven Rogers, son of Steven Rogers of Tower Fasteners. Steven is a freshman at Drew University. Steven finished his senior year of High School receiving 1st academic Honors for all four marking periods with a grade point average of 4.3. He was active on the Soccer and Varsity Baseball teams receiving awards for his dedication and improvement. Steven is studying Economics and plans to pursue a business career on Wall Street or the Bank of America in New York.