Sheffield Area High School senior Braxton Connolly and Tidioute Community Charter School senior Aiden Morningstar were each awarded $10,000 Ellwood Industrial Maintenance scholarships last week.

Morningstar plans to pursue a career in electro-mechanical technology and will continue his education at Precision Manufacturing Institute in Meadville.

Connolly plans to pursue a career in mechatronics and further his education at Penn College of Technology in Williamsport.

“Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and robotics,” Director of Team Member Relations Quyrus Epps said.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Sheffield Area High School senior Braxton Connolly is surrounded by (from left) his mother, Sarah, sisters Madison and Kaelon, and Principal Glenn Smith, on the occasion of his acceptance of a $10,000 Ellwood Industrial Maintenance Scholarship.

Epps and Senior Communications Specialist Terry Rodgers visited the schools and held a signing day event for each student to “welcome them to the Ellwood family,” Rodgers said.

The Industrial Maintenance Scholarship was created this year to help high school seniors and those who have completed a GED who plan to attend accredited trade schools. “The Ellwood Industrial Maintenance Scholarship is to assist those students pursuing a certificate or degree in mechatronics, or an equivalent industrial maintenance program,” Rodgers said. “The $10,000 scholarship commitments are designed to ensure continued educational support to students throughout communities in which Ellwood has a presence.”