2025 APWU Scholarship Winners Announced!
July 9, 2025
The APWU proudly presents the winners of three scholarship programs: The E.C. Hallbeck Memorial Scholarship, Vocational Scholarship, and Best Essay Award for 2025!
When the five predecessor craft unions merged to form the APWU in 1971, the new union decided to maintain an academic scholarship program created in 1969 by the United Federation of Postal Clerks (UFPC) as a tribute to UFPC president E.C. “Roy” Hallbeck.
The APWU Hallbeck Memorial Scholarship program provides financial assistance to children of APWU union members. It awards $2,000 per year for four consecutive years of college to one male and one female high school student from each of the five postal regions.
The APWU Vocational Scholarship was established by the National Executive Board to help students interested in programs of study leading to trade, technical, industrial, or vocational occupations. Five recipients, one from each of the five postal regions, will receive up to $3,000 to be used for up to three years of study in a specific trade, technical, industrial, or vocational school.
The Best Essay winner receives an additional one-time award of $2,000. This year’s Best Essay winner is Ethan Deang, of the Tampa Area Florida local.
The scholarships are funded by donations, and the APWU is extremely grateful for contributions by union members. To contribute, please send a check or a money order to: APWU Scholarship Fund, 1300 L Street NW, Washington DC 20005. Your tax-deductible donation may specify "Hallbeck," "Vocational," or "Best Essay."
Are You Interested in Applying for a Scholarship in 2026?
The deadline to apply is May 31, 2026. Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit materials well before the May 31 deadline. For more information, visit: apwu.org/scholarship-programs
2025 E.C. Hallbeck Winners
Western Region
Jazelle Oropeza, Santa Barbara SCF Area Local (Carmen Salazar - Grandmother)
Showvik Chawdhury, Phoenix Metro Area Local (MD Mojidul Haque Chawdhury)
Eastern Region
Trinity Watford, Montgomery County Area Local (Paul Delaine -Grandfather)
Regina Zezza, Johnstown Area Local (Clair Zezza - Father)
Central Region
Alan Thomas Twin Cities PDC Local (Cyril Thomas - Father)
Agnese Bonafiglia Gaylord Local (Jefferey Bonafiglia - Father)
Northeast Region
Haley Cohen New York Metro Area Postal Union (Elana Cohen - Mother)
Jackson Barth Long Island New York Area Local (Richard Barth - Father)
Southern Region
Karina Gonzalez North Carolina Council (Kari Carreon – Mother)
Ryan Murphy Charlotte Area Local (Rochelle Murphy - Mother)
2025 Vocational Scholarship Winners
Central Region
Logan Niemi Local 498-499 Area Local (Jacqueline Niemi - Mother)
Northeast Region
Brian Bradshaw Greater Connecticut Area Local (Brian Bradshaw -Father)
2025 Best Essay Winner
Farhan Islam Phoenix Metro Area Local (Md Tarikul Islam-Father)
Union Plus Scholarship Recipient
$2,000 Scholarship
Kassidy Michelle Sturgill Kentucky Postal Workers Union (Amanda Mullins – Mother)