ST. LOUIS — The Electrical Connection joined Partners for Progress in Greater St. Charles in saluting the best and brightest high school students at the annual STEM Recognition Breakfast at the Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters, Mo. The March 8, 2013 event, sponsored by the Electrical Connection, honored 16 students from public and private high schools in St. Charles County who excel at science, technology, engineering and math.

STEM is a national and regional effort to better prepare the workforce of tomorrow by encouraging today’s students to engage more in studies, events and careers involving science, technology, engineering and math. “If Missouri and the nation as a whole are to remain competitive in the global economy, it’s important to support the STEM initiative,” said Jim Curran, executive vice president, Electrical Connection. “In everything the Electrical Connection supports, including economic development opportunities, training the highly skilled and safe workforce of the future and partnerships to advance Missouri energy future, the success of STEM is essential.”

The Electrical Connection is advancing STEM initiatives not only through the STEM Recognition Breakfast, but through educational partnerships with Radio Disney, St. Louis Science Center, the Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club and Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T).

High school students honored at the breakfast included:

• Garrett Tunnell, Christian High School
• James Linck & John Linck, Duchesne High School
• Taylor Burgert, Fort Zumwalt East High School
• Josh Reed, Fort Zumwalt North High School
• Sam Wang, Fort Zumwalt South High School
• Obasi Onuoha, Fort Zumwalt West High School
• Alexander Drury, Francis Howell Central High School
• Alexander Gambill, Francis Howell High School
• Matthew Bries, Francis Howell North High School
• Joey Sides, Lutheran High School St. Charles
• Paige Wulff–Orchard Farm High School
• Candice Mohapp, St. Charles High School
• Sean Malinee, St. Charles West High School
• Faye Temrutrynit, St. Dominic High School
• Bryan Burlette, Wentzville Holt High School
• Jacob Hasty, Wentzville Timberland High School

The students honored were awarded medals that can be worn with their graduation gowns, proclamations by state and local representatives and mini iPads.

The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Members provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world. Find a contractor near you in the Electrical Connection contractor database.

Photo cutline: High school students honored at the STEM breakfast include, from left to right, Front Row: Candice Mohapp; Paige Wulff; Faye Temrutrynit; Taylor Burgert; Middle Row: John Linck; Bryan Burlette; Matthew Bries; Sean Malinee; Sam Wang; Joey Sides; Josh Reed; Back Row: Jacob Hasty; Alexander Drury; Alexander Gambill; James Linck; Obasi Onuoha; and Garrett Tunnell.

Photo cutline: James Linck of Duchesne High School receives his STEM award from Jim Curran, executive vice president, Electrical Connection which sponsored the annual STEM breakfast in St. Charles County.