By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
National Merit Scholar Kaleb Estes of Hartselle was named winner of a 2009 Emerson National Scholarship last week, bringing to 20 the number of college scholarships he has either received or been offered based on his outstanding academic performance at Hartselle High School.
Estes is among 30 children of Emerson Climate Technologies employees who received the scholarship. He is the son of Keith and Melissa Estes of Hartselle. His father is a senior quality engineer at the CR Compressors LLC plant in Hartselle.
Estes plans to attend the University of Alabama in Birmingham this fall. He will be enrolled in the Early Medical School Acceptance Program and will major in molecular biology. His career goal is to discover a cure for cancer.
To commemorate his selection as an Emerson Scholarship recipient, he was presented a framed scholarship certificate by CR Compressors Plant Manager Russell Woodruff on June 2. Plus, he and his parents were honored guests at a noon luncheon.
Estes and the other winners were selected from among 127 finalists and were announced by Michael G. Rohret, Emerson senior vice president of human resources.
Recipients of the scholarship receive $1,500 per academic year for four years. Selection is based on academic performance as demonstrated by grade point average, class rank and national test scores. Participation in school activities and community involvement is also considered.