Shelby High School graduate Nate Yockey will head to college this fall with a great start to his education fund thanks to a scholarship from the Ohio Electronic Security Association (ESA).
Yockey was chosen out of approximately 20 applications for the $1,000 scholarship after his 4.0 GPA and involvement in extracurricular activities stood out to the review panel. Dan Gurich, president of the Ohio ESA, explained the independent review panel was made up of members of Susan G. Komen and professors from The Ohio State University in Columbus.
Gurich stated the Ohio ESA awards two scholarships per year, one to the son or daughter of a policeman or fireman in Ohio, and one to the son or daughter of a member of the Ohio ESA such as Schmidt Security Pro.
“Four years ago we created the scholarship that we’re here for today. It’s a member-only scholarship available to the members of the state association as long as those members are in good standing and they have a son or daughter graduating high school this year,” said Gurich.
Nate Yockey’s father, Steve Yockey, works as an alarm technician for Schmidt Security Pro and was the inspiration for Nate Yockey’s scholarship essay. Gurich explained the review panel places a large emphasis on the essay, which must be written about their mother or father being involved in the security industry.
“My dad wasn’t really home much when I was a kid because he worked second shift in a factory, so I only got to see him in the mornings before he went to work and sometimes on weekends,” said Nate Yockey as he summarized his essay. “After he left the factory he went to work for Sam’s Club and he started traveling, so he was home even less. When he came to work here, he’s home every night and I get to see him all the time, and that’s pretty great. I know that he’s safe and I know we’re all safe too, because of him.”
Steve Yockey said he was surprised reading his son’s essay.
“I was kind of like, ‘Oh, I didn’t realize he thought that,’” he said.
Jody Yockey, Nate Yockey’s mother, described her son as a reserved person at first – however, according to his high school teachers he was the class clown as well as being an excellent student.
“He’s a very good kid and he’s a good student, so he earns what he gets,” she said.
Brian Schmidt, vice president of business development at Schmidt Security Pro, said Nate Yockey is the first scholarship winner from the company.
“We’re really excited that he was chosen to receive the award,” said Schmidt. “I know Steve is very proud of Nate and what he’s done so far with his GPA and going to college.”
Nate Yockey plans to attend The Ohio State University Mansfield campus to study Agricultural Engineering, and make the most out of his scholarship.
“With a last name like Yockey you don’t ever win anything, at least that’s what my family always tells me,” said Nate Yockey with a laugh. “So when I got the call I was kind of shocked because I never get anything good happen to me.”
