A. O. Smith, a manufacturer of hot-water systems for homes and businesses, again partnered with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Educational Foundation to award scholarships to four outstanding students in pursuit of careers as plumbing and mechanical professionals.

The Charlie Wallace Service scholarships and A. O. Smith scholarships are $2,500 individual awards given to top-performing students enrolled in a plumbing-heating-cooling related course of study.  

Charlie Wallace Service Award Scholarships

This is the third year A. O. Smith and PHCC have partnered to fund the Charlie Wallace Service scholarships, named after the former COO of PHCC Quality Service Contractors who served as a prominent leader in the industry for 17 years. This year’s winners are Baron McLaughlin from Vista, California, and Rodulf B. Occeno from Orange County, California.

McLaughlin is studying plumbing installation, service, and repair at the PHCC Academy of San Diego. He plans to use the PHCC scholarship to become a journeyman and eventually open his own business. Occeno is studying plumbing installation, service, and repair in the PHCC Orange County Apprentice Program. He plans to use his education to hone his skills as an apprentice, earn the title journeyman, and maintain his 4.0 GPA.

A. O. Smith Scholarship Award

This is the 15th year for the A. O. Smith Scholarship Award. This year’s award winners are Benjamin Stauffer of Indiana and Jody-Ann Young of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Stauffer is studying plumbing installation, service, and repair at Mechanical Skills Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. After the program, he plans to pursue a journeyman plumber certification and open an independent plumbing business. Young is studying plumbing installation, service and repair with the Allentown Master Plumbers Association. She intends to become a master plumber and go into business for herself.

“It is truly an honor to work with such intelligent, driven and ambitious students,” A. O. Smith Vice President of Marketing David Chisolm said. “We are proud to sponsor a scholarship that strengthens the industry by supporting highly qualified students entering a career in the trades.”