The PROTEC17 scholarship program has awarded over $70,000 in scholarships in the last 13 year to members’ dependents to help in their pursuit of a higher education. We are proud to announce that our 2024 scholarship winners are Camille James and Lakelle Bridges.
Each year, the PROTEC17 scholarship is open to the children, grandchildren or dependents of members as they enter or continue their studies in college or technical school. There are two $3,000 awards – one for an incoming freshman, and one for a continuing college student. Scholarship applications were accepted through July 31. In the application, students are asked to demonstrate their academic achievements, educational goals, and extracurricular activities. In addition, applicants submit letters of recommendation and a labor-related essay.
This year, student essays were evaluated – anonymously to reduce bias – by the PROTEC17 Executive Board as a new part of the process. The Board found reading all of the essays very inspiring and rewarding, but a couple of students rose to the top.
Camille James is the child of Spokane Regional Health District member Jeff James, and is our graduating high school student winner. She started this fall in the biology program at Gonzaga University, with dreams to be a wildlife biologist specializing in snakes. She is also taking a course on magic and is participating in wind ensemble this semester.
In her scholarship essay, James reflected on the benefits of having a father in a union job, after seeing the difference when her dad worked for a large, private-sector company that was not very family-friendly.
“Joining the union was one of the best things that has happened for this family,” James said in her application. “It has helped us financially and mentally.”
Lakelle Bridges, child of King County member Kelvin Bridges, is entering her sophomore year at Howard University this fall, where she’s been accepted into the Honors biology program. Her plan is to become a veterinarian. She believes her education will give her the tools she needs to reach her goals.
“Being at a school like Howard has given me a new perspective on the role that I want to take on as a veterinarian in my community,” said Bridges. “I want to open a small animal and exotic private veterinary practice hospital that focuses on accessibility – something that I see is lacking in the veterinary medicine industry.”
Both students expressed their extreme gratitude to PROTEC17 for supporting this award and for helping them and their families to ease the financial burden of a college education. Many thanks to the Board for their continued support of, and participation in, this program. To all of our applicants and our two winners – best of luck this school year and beyond!