Five area students recently were each awarded a $1,000.00 Gerard L. Pellegrini Scholarship to advance their education by the law firm that bears his name.
The Gerard L. Pellegrini Scholarship is awarded annually to a union member affiliated with the Western MA Area Labor Federation or their spouse or dependent. Applicants are asked to submit their high school or college transcripts, written recommendations, a recital of recent community service and an essay detailing the importance of the labor movement to their family.
“This scholarship provides a yearly opportunity for the firm to demonstrate its commitment to helping union members and their families improve their lives through education,” said Earl Seeley III, a partner at the law firm of Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan and Blakesley, and grandson of Gerard Pellegrini. “My grandfather was a fierce advocate for worker’s rights and fought on behalf of injured workers for over 50 years -- but before that he was a working-class kid whose life was changed for the better by education. He never forgot that,” Seeley added.
“These students represent excellence in the pursuit of education and are illustrative of how unions can positively influence family life,” remarked attorney and firm partner Michael Cardaropoli, a member of the scholarship committee.
Winners of this year’s awards are: Emma Cowles of Wilbraham, MA, Samantha Franciosa of Granby, MA, Emma Hayward of Pittsfield, MA, Antonia Perakis of West Springfield, MA, and Elizabeth Sarnacki of East Otis, MA.
