The APWU proudly presents the winners of three scholarship programs: The E.C. Hallbeck Memorial Scholarship, Vocational Scholarship, and Best Essay Award for 2026!
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 National Executive Board established the Vocational Scholarship to help students interested in study programs 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 use 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 Purnima Thapa, whose mother is a member of the Northeast Massachusetts Area local.
Are You Interested in Applying for a Scholarship in 2027?
The deadline to apply is May 31, 2027. Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit materials well before the May 31 deadline. For more information, visit: apwu.org/scholarship-programs
2026 E.C. HALLBECK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Central Region
Thomas Wei, St. Louis Gateway Area Local (Jie Wei — Father)
Laella Mullins, Ohio Postal Workers Union (Keena Peck — Mother)
Eastern Region
Marquita Yancey, Richmond Area Local (Douglas Yancey — Father)
Daylen Webster, Chesapeake Local (Jason Dunlap — Father)
Northeast Region
Nicholas Donatelli, Northeast Massachusetts Area Local (Mario Donatelli — Father)
Samantha Hellerer, Southern New York Area Local (Tracey Hellerer — Mother)
Southern Region
Catherine Heaton, Panama City Local (James Heaton — Father)
Alan Siby, Austin Area Local (Joseph Siby — Father)
Western Region
Shane Costello, Long Beach Area Local (Frank Costello — Father)
Emma Schumacher, Las Vegas Area Local (Cassandra Schumacher — Mother)
2026 VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Central Region
Sarina Hiatt-McCollum, Iowa Postal Workers Union (Mary McCollum — Mother)
Eastern Region
Jaaziel Rodriguez, Keystone Area Local (Luz Salazar — Mother)
Northeast Region
Abjeet Kaur, Greater Hicksville Mid-Island Local (Sukhwinder Kaur — Mother)
Southern Region
Tristan Thomas, Arlington Local (Derec Thomas — Father)
Western Region
Cienovia Dennis, Las Vegas Area Local (Cie Dennis — Mother)
2026 BEST ESSAY WINNER
Purnima Thapa, Northeast Massachusetts Area Local (Dhana Thapa — Mother)
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