The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has awarded 20 $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power related fields of study. One of the winners, Sarah Witte, is attending the University of Arizona. We asked Sarah a few questions about winning the scholarship.
What does winning a Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?
This award means that I can more realistically go to college and achieve my dreams. I have worked for the past six years in an elementary school and saved some money for college expenses. However, a large portion went to supporting my family, and this scholarship will relieve financial pressure on both me and my family.
Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?
I have always had a passion for STEM which I expressed since I was young though science fairs and natural curiosity for the world around me. More recently, I expanded my knowledge of fluid power through the CREST (Center for Research, Engineering, Science, and Technology) program at my high school and my participation in the 1165 Robotics Team. This gave me hands-on experience with engineering and fluid power that I want to pursue more.
What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?
I want to combine my passion for culinary arts and STEM into a career with food manufacturing. I will use fluid power like pneumatics or hydraulics to power the machines that make the food. Food is something everyone needs and I want to make the process of making the food more sustainable and have more equitable access for all people to make the world a better place.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0, 500-word essay, and letter of recommendation were required from each applicant. The NFPA Foundation’s goal is to help graduating high school students, and individuals enrolled in community colleges, technical schools and universities pursue their academic interests in fluid power.
One way NFPA members can get involved with scholarship programs is to volunteer as a judge to serve on the application review committee. This year 27 judges from 19 NFPA member companies reviewed 122 eligible student applications to the Fluid Power Scholarship program. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Haley Nemeth at hnemeth@nfpa.com.
