Paulina Tinoco, a senior in environmental engineering, and Eric LaPietra, a senior in mechanical engineering, have been awarded the Ash Grove Cement Co. Intern Scholarship.

The annual $1,500 scholarship was established in 2007 to recognize students who complete an internship with the company and who have an interest in pursuing a career in the cement industry.

Tinoco, a native of Blue Springs, Missouri, completed her internship at the company’s home office in Overland Park, Kansas.

LaPietra, a native of Lake Winnebago, Missouri, interned at Ash Grove Cement’s plant in Midlothian, Texas.

“I am always impressed by the interns’ strong work ethic and desire to learn,” says Dave Ezell, vice president of Ash Grove Cement Co. human resources. “Student projects not only contribute to the company, but also provide for professional growth of the students.”

Ash Grove Cement Co. is the largest U.S.-owned cement company and produces eight million tons of cement annually at eight different plants across the country.