Oberlin, Ohio—The Natural Stone Institute (NSI) revealed the recipients of the 2022 Natural Stone Scholarship and Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship. Both recipients will be celebrated during the association’s annual Awards Ceremony at StonExpo in Las Vegas on Jan. 31, 2023.
Megan Ognibene, stone design consultant for Buechel Stone in Kohler, Wis., is the recipient of the 2022 Natural Stone Scholarship. According to the NSI, the scholarship provides a trip to StonExpo, where the recipient will gain valuable technical and practical knowledge regarding the natural stone industry and will meet and network with leading stone professionals.
“At StonExpo I am looking forward to learning more about how to bring natural stone into every aspect of design as well as see the new innovative technologies that are being used,” Ogmibene said. “With this scholarship, I am excited to network with other industry experts and be more involved in the stone industry overall.”
Bre Covell, general manager for Pacific Shore Stones in Springdale, Ark., received the 2022 Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship. This scholarship provides a trip to one of three major industry events: StonExpo, Coverings or a Natural Stone Institute study tour. The recipient is given the opportunity to shadow industry professionals within different sectors of the stone industry and explore her potential for leadership and her commitment to a career in the stone industry.
“I am so thankful and excited for the opportunity to attend StonExpo,” Covell said. “I can’t imagine a better opportunity to learn from so many industry professionals who feel as passionate about stone as I do.”
According to the NSI, industry members are invited to attend its annual awards ceremony at StonExpo on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. in South Seas F at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.