WINNERS — PEF honors scholarship winners Ann Cosgrove, Gabriel Dunn, and Brienne Engel. At left are Pres. Roger Benson and
Sec.-Treas. Jane Hallum. Reg. 8 Coord. Lou Matrazzo is at right. — Photo by Jessika Maddocks
Winners display brains, talent, heart
PEF awards Scacalossi scholarships
| By DEBORAH A. MILES In its 16th year awarding Joseph Scacalossi scholarships, PEF’s scholarship committee was challenged with choosing among many qualified applicants. It was not only their academic excellence that put the 10 winners over the top, but also their interests and character. This year, the winners displayed a broad range of interests — from founding “Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness” to working with Habitat for Humanity. And their pastimes ranged from sailing on tall ships to performing magic. “The selection becomes more difficult each year with so many qualified and talented students,” said Robert Harms, chair of the scholarship committee. “We had more than 300 applicants, and each deserves to be applauded. PEF parents can be very proud of their children.” “We reviewed academic records, teacher recommendations, interests, community involvement and leadership ability,” added committee member Maureen Hogle. John Prince, Diane Hart and Eric Lindemann complete the committee. The winning students will receive $4,000 over the next four years, in annual $1,000 installments. Since 1988, when PEF began the scholarship, the union has awarded nearly $550,000 in scholarships to college-bound students. The scholarship program is named for the late Joseph Scacalossi, a leader in organizing PEF and Division 245 at the state Labor Department in New York City. He remained an activist in the union until his death in 1988. Parents of the winning students were brimming with pride when they talked about their children, and said they appreciated PEF’s devotion to education and the financial assistance it has provided to members. The scholarship program is merit-based and open only to dependents of PEF members and PEF retirees. Harms said PEF proudly announces the following winners for their achievements:  Lindsay B. Bennett attends Villanova University in Pennsylvania, majoring in international business. This17-year-old was one of 20 students selected to participate in the Global Citizens Program in London next spring. She received a PTA scholarship, principal’s award, and a service award for leadership in organizing a Thanksgiving food drive. She is a varsity tennis player, enjoys track and skiing, and is active in Amnesty International.Lindsay is the daughter of Robin Fiederlein Bennett, a social worker at Sagamore Psychiatric Center for Youth in Region 12.  Neha Chauhan is also a recipient of the Robert G. Porter scholarship awarded by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Her parents are Ved and Abha Chauhan, research scientists at the Institute for Basic Research, PEF Division 345, Region 11.Neha, 18, attends Harvard University, studying political science and economics. This summer, Neha worked as an intern in Sen. Hillary Clinton’s New York City Office. Her outstanding academic record also earned her several other scholarships including the Coca-Cola National Scholarship, Intel Science Talent Scholarship and scholarships from the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy. She is the founder and national president of “Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness.” She is an accomplished dancer and has won scholarships for outstanding achievements in ballet, jazz, modern and pointe dance.  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy is where 18-year-old
Ann T. Cosgrove studies architecture. Ann received the Rensselaer Alumni Scholarship, Emily Roebling Scholarship and NYS Education Scholarship for Academic Excellence. She plays softball and soccer, and volunteers her time on the ship Halfmoon, where she works as a guide and helps with rigging and keeping the vessel ship-shape. She is the daughter of Francis Cosgrove, a tax regulations specialist 2 in Region 8.  Bioengineering is what interests
Gabriel C. Dunn, who attends Cornell University. This advanced placement scholar ranked in the top 2 percent in the National Merit Scholar competition for high school sophomores. Dunn, 18, is a scholar-athlete and loves playing ice hockey and tennis. He volunteers his time building houses for Habitat for Humanity and takes care of laboratory animals at local hospitals.Gabriel is the son of Thomas Dunn, an associate in education communications at the state Department of Education in Region 8.  Jessica F. Dweck transferred from John Hopkins University, where she maintained a 4.0 average and was on the Dean’s List, to the University of Pennsylvania. She is undecided about her major, but this 18-year-old is interested in biophysics. She received the Bloomberg Scholar award and was valedictorian of her graduating class at East Brunswick High School.Jessica is interested in journalism and tutors children in the Baltimore area. Her father is Albert S. Dweck, a pharmacist at South Beach Psychiatric Center on Staten Island in Region 11.  Brienne E.
Engel, 17, received a full-tuition scholarship to Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. where she studies biochemistry. Dancing since the age of three, Brienne is now a faculty member at the Isabelle School of Dance. She performs and choreographs productions at Columbia High School and volunteers at the MacHayden Theatre in Chatham. She is the recipient of many awards including the National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation, the U.S. Air Force Award for Excellence in Math and the NYS Regents Award.Her parents, Stephen and Terri Engel are associate computer programmer analysts at the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the Office of the Aging, respectively, in Region 8.  The 2004 Salutatorian of Herkimer High School,
James M. Ichihana, studies mathematics and science at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He has won several awards including the NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence, the President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, the B’nai B’rith Prize, Sons of the American Revolutionary History Award and others. This 18-year-old is a scholar-athlete who enjoys track and cross-country.Accomplished in the art of slight-of-hand, James works as a summer camp counselor at the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts in Hancock, where he teaches magic. His father is Robert M. Ichihana, an apprentice training representative at the state Department of Labor in PEF Region 6.  Gregory P. Michalski is the son of PEF members Susan Michalski, a senior health planner at the state Health Department, and Peter Michalski, supervisor of grounds for the state Office of General Services in Albany.Greg, 19, attends Clarkson University and is majoring in mechanical engineering. He received the Clarkson Leadership Award and a Wasserman Scholarship. Greg is a member of the Mini Baja team at Clarkson which built an off-road amphibious vehicle that took fourth place in a national competition. He enjoys racquetball and football.  A tennis player and team captain,
Tyler S. Robson studies history education at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education. An honor-roll student for four consecutive years at Delaware Academy in Delhi, Tyler, 18, received an Award for Excellence in Industrial Arts, awards in speech and debate and a NYS Regents Honor Diploma. Writing, skiing, woodworking, kayaking and playing soccer are some of his favorite pastimes. Mary Jane Robson, a community mental health nurse at Delaware Regional Center in Margaretville, Region 5, is his mom.  Andrew P. Sharman is majoring in psychology at SUNY Fredonia. This 18-year-old gives back to his community by coordinating the delivery of food baskets and helps wherever he is needed.He received a Rotary Club Scholarship for Leadership and Community Service. Andrew was student council president at St. Joseph Collegiate Institute where he played soccer and was voted MVP for western New York. He won the Howard Book Award and the Brother Paul Writing Award. His mother, Karen H. Sharman, is a registered nurse at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Region 1. |
Three receive Union Plus scholarships By JESSIKA MADDOCKS Winning $1,000 must be an exhilarating feeling. Three children of PEF members have earned the right to a little thrill as recipients of Union Plus Scholarships. The students — Suzanne Nizza, Jonathan Shalfi and Anna Yu — are among 106 students from 38 AFL-CIO unions selected to receive Union Plus scholarships this year, ranging from $400 to $5,000 and awarded based on academic ability, social awareness, and financial need. The program is open to members of unions participating in any Union Plus program, as well as their spouses and dependent children pursuing a higher education. The Union Plus Scholarship Program is funded by Household Credit Services, the provider of the union-endorsed Union Plus Credit Card. Nizza, who lives on Staten Island, is a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. “Unions are for hardworking employees who want to improve their working environment,” Nizza said. “I have the same goals: I do and will work hard, and want to improve the environment and health for all people.” As a student at Staten Island Academy, Nizza achieved a perfect 1,600 on her SATs and was valedictorian of her graduating class. Her father is Joseph Nizza, a PEF Region 11 member and a compensation claims referee for the state Workers’ Compensation Board. Shalfi, of Tenafly, NJ, graduated high school at the top of his class. He attends the Columbia University School of Engineering in New York City, majoring in environmental engineering. Shalfi was on his high school’s dean’s list throughout all four years, and earned a Yale University Engineering Award and state science fair award. He attributes his achievements to lessons learned from the difficulties his immigrant grandfather experienced. No other member of his family has faced job loss in the past 50 years, he said, thanks “to the organization and strength of their unions, a support my grandfather never had. Collective bargaining has given my dad the salary that allows me to attend college and pursue my career goals.” Jonathan’s father is Edward Shalfi, a PEF Region 10 member and a hearing officer at the state Office of Temporary Disability Assistance. Yu, who is from the Capital District, is a freshman at Yale University in New Haven, CT, majoring in electrical engineering. In high school, she was editor of the school newspaper, played varsity tennis, and was president of the Multicultural Society where she initiated “International Game Night” to bring people of diverse backgrounds together from throughout the region. “Unions are vital to the protection of all workers, and not just whites anymore,” she said. “I know too many Asians and other minorities who are discriminated against in the workplace. I know how important it is for the rights of all to be protected.” Her mother is Wen-Li Fan, a PEF Region 8 member and a computer systems programmer 2 at the state Department of Taxation and Finance. |
The
Communicator September 04
Inside This Issue
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votes on new PS&T pact
Members 'shadow' governor
PEF at SEIU & AFT conventions
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Legislative Action
Nurses Station
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Lockport ratifies
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Member is NY Guard Soldier '04
PEF candidates '04 endorsements
Scacalossi scholarships winners
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