The Botelho Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the selection of Chelsea Mason-Basiliere as the 2011 recipient of the M. Michael Botelho Scholarship Award. 

A recent graduate of Wahconah Regional High School in Dalton, MA, Chelsea will use the scholarship funds for tuition at Bridgewater State University, where she has been accepted as a member of the class of 2015. Chelsea is the step-daughter of Local 204 member and steward Michael Kaley, a custodian and groundskeeper for Central Berkshire Regional School District. 

Named in honor of Council 93’s first Field Services Director, the fund provides $1,000 scholarships for each year of attendance at an accredited two or four year degree program.  The funds are awarded to AFSCME members in good standing as well as members’ spouses, children, grandchildren and legal dependents.  Applicants must be a graduating senior accepted into an accredited college, community college, university or recognized trade or technical school or a student already enrolled in one of these institutions. Applicants must also submit an essay about the importance of unions to them or their families.  Chelsea’s winning essay was chosen from among fourteen others.    

The Botelho Scholarship Fund has provided nearly $25,000 in education assistance since 1998. A new scholarship winner is selected annually so Council 93 members are encouraged to check this website next spring for application materials and deadlines.  In the interim, any questions can be emailed to Dianne Hurley. 

Scholarships opportunities are also available from AFSCME International. Click here to learn more.