Congratulations to the selected four (4) winners of the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association Scholarship Foundation. Each recipient received a grant check in the amount of $5,000.00 to further their education.

Shown below are the selected four (4) winners of the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association Scholarship Foundation.  Each recipient received a grant check in the amount of $5,000.00 to further their education.
On behalf of the officers and members of the OPCMIA, we would like to extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes for much success in pursuing your education and dreams. 

OPCMIA Scholarship Foundation winner Ray Sowinski with his father, Raymond, a member of Local Union 526, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Ray plans to attend Penn State University.

    Ray Sowinski, son of Raymond and Christine Sowinski of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, graduated in the top five percent of Riverside High School’s class of 2007.  He is enrolled in the Supply Chain & Information Systems major with a minor in Information Systems Management in the Smeal College of Business at The Pennsylvania State University.  He attained the Dean’s List every semester, is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, and has volunteered for THON, a student-run philanthropy supporting pediatric cancer.  Ray will be interning for Genco Supply Chain Solutions in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this summer and will graduate in December 2011. 

   OPCMIA Scholarship Foundation winner Angela Gentile with her father, Francesco, a member of Local Union 502, Chicago, Illinois.  Angela plansto attend Illinois State University.

  My name is Angela Gentile.  I recently graduated from West Chicago Community High School in West Chicago, Illinois.  While attending high school, I participated in many extracurricular activities.  These activities include Student Council, Skills USA, Pep Club, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Habitat for Humanity.  Not only did I fulfill many obligations as a leader in these various clubs, I also worked closely with my teachers and advisors in planning special events for my school.  Recently, I celebrated my one-year anniversary in working at Lifetime Fitness.  As a part-time employee, I work as a Child Center Team Member, Summer Camp Counselor, and as a Birthday Party and Special Events Coordinator.  When I am not busy with school or with work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.  Next year, I plan to attend Illinois State University while working on a double major in Mathematics and Family and Consumer Science.  I want to thank OPCMIA and all of its members for giving me this wonderful scholarship, as I appreciate it tremendously!  My father (who is a member of OPCMIA) and I would also like to give a special thanks to Local 502 in Maywood, IL, as we don't know where we would be without them!    

OPCMIA Scholarship Foundation winner Shauna Agan with her father, Earl, a member of Local Union 21, Des Moines, Iowa. Shauna plans to attend Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

    Shauna Agan is the daughter of Earl and Paula Agan and is a senior at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa majoring in Political Science and Corporate Communications with a minor in History.  She is very active on campus as the president of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, a member of Pi Sigma AIpha Political Science Honor Society, the President’s Leadership Certificate, and the Pre-Law Society.  Shauna also participates in community activities by volunteering and being a member of the South Side of Des Moines Neighborhood Association and just graduated from the Warren County Leadership Institute.  She is also very active in politics helping out on local campaigns.  In the fall of 2009 she spent a semester interning for Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) in Washington DC and will be returning to Washington DC this summer to intern for the Democratic National Committee.  Her father, Earl R. Agan Jr. is the Business Manger for Local 21, and 11 other family members including her grandfather and both brothers have been proud members of the OPCMIA.  Her grandfather, Earl R. Agan Sr., was a member of Local 21 for 59 years, a true lifelong member.  After Shauna completes her senior year at Simpson College she will attend law school and pursue a career as a labor lawyer to carry on the family tradition of being an active participant in the union.




OPCMIA Scholarship Foundation winner Joan Castellanos with her father, Cirilo, a member of Local Union 600, Los Angeles, California.  Joan plansto attend Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

    I am a student at Garey High School in Pomona, California.  Through out my years in high school, I have strived to try different activities, such as JROTC and Academic Decathlon.  With each new activity, I feel I have grown in innumerable ways.
   
    Without a doubt high school has provided a number of challenges.  After all, juggling extracurricular activities, family, and class work is no easy task.  However, with the help of my parents and brother, I have pushed through and strived to do my best.  The struggles my parents have suffered serve as an example and motivate me to overcome any challenges that come my way.  I also hope to serve as an example to my brother so I can show him that although school might be tough, hard work will eventually pay off. 
   
    With the never ending support of my family, I hope to one day become a pediatric cardiologist for that has interested me over the years.  Now, with the help of this grant, I am one step closer to achieving my dream.