12 Jun The 2020 Winners of the David B. Durkee Memorial Scholarship
On April 16, 2020, the BCTGM International General Executive Board voted to rename the BCTGM International Scholarship Program to the David B. Durkee Memorial Scholarship Program. The program is a tribute to the legacy of President Durkee and the high value he placed on learning and education.
The BCTGM International Union has been awarding scholarships to union families since 1962.
These five exceptional BCTGM children were chosen from a total of 59 applicants. Each winner will receive a one-time $5,000 award for their university education.
Ariana Deng is the daughter of Local 125 (San Leandro, Calif.) member Tony Deng, who is employed at Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. in San Leandro. Ariana plans to pursue a Doctorial degree to become a physician.
โThe ability to learn from others, inside the classroom to beyond it, is what I came to value. This realization hit during one of the workshops I held at a local homeless shelter to teach public speaking. Despite my role as a teacher, the largest lesson actually came from my students: the power of humility.โ
Mackenzie Chambers is the daughter of Local 42 (Atlanta) member James Chambers, who is employed at Nestle Purina PetCare Co. in Fairburn, Ga. Mackenzie plans to pursue a PhD degree to become a diagnostic radiologist.
โOne academic achievement of mine is taking two grades in one year, which has ultimately been the cause for me graduating two years early. This has shown me that my age does not define my maturity and academic level and I can achieve whatever I set my mind to.โ
Chelsea Inglut is the daughter of Local 36G (Buffalo, N.Y.) member Dan Inglut, who is employed at General Mills in Buffalo. Chelsea plans to pursue her Masters Degree in Childhood Education.
โI want to be an elementary school teacher because I want to be as influential and helpful to kids as my teachers were to me. I hope to inspire kids and help them truly enjoy school.โ
Samantha Stokesberry is the daughter of Local 283G (Paul, Idaho) member Bill Stokesberry, who is employed at Amalgamated Sugar in Twin Falls, Idaho. Samantha plans to pursue a Doctorate Degree to become a veterinarian.
โI decided that I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was very young. Many people change their minds after learning more about their childhood dream career, however, my passion only grew as I learned. With every hour I job shadow and every new science or animal course I take, I become more confident that I want to spend my life applying biology to a medicinal field to help animals live their best quality life.โ
Citlalli Villagomez is the daughter of Local 1 (Chicago) member Rosa Villagomez, who is employed at Schulze and Burch Biscuit Co. in Chicago. Citlalli plans to pursue a bachelors degree and become an accountant.
โI come from a Latino culture. Both of my parents came to the United States and gave everything up to give their kids a better life than they had lived. No one in my family has had the opportunity to even complete high school. I will be the first to graduate from high school and go to college. I am determined to push through anything so I can be the person I wish to be when I grow older.โ