Cheryl Jones from AJP, Ellen Merchant, Paul Hessney and Christina Michos. Submitted photo

The Association of Jamestown Paraprofessionals along with Paul Hessney are both pleased and proud to announce Ellen Merchant as this year’s winner of the Karen Hessney Scholarship. Ellen is the daughter of Christina Michos and Chris Merchant. Christina is a member of the Association of Jamestown Paraprofessionals. Ellen is a JHS graduate who attends Daemen College working towards a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. The Association of Jamestown Paraprofessionals and Mr. Hessney hope that the $1,000 scholarship will help her with her educational pursuits.

“I would like to thank the AJP and Paul Hessney for selecting me for the Karen Hessney Scholarship,” Ellen said. “I was extremely excited to hear I was the recipient of the award. I am currently working on my doctorate and this scholarship is deeply appreciated and will allow me to be one step closer to my dream. I am grateful for your kindness.”

The scholarship is in its fourth year and honors Karen Hessney, a remarkable woman, who after a courageous battle with cancer sadly passed away four years ago. Karen was a Labor Relations Specialist, a past union president, as well as a teacher for many years. Her assistance as a NYSUT employee was invaluable to the AJP who miss her and want her memory to live on in this scholarship.

“I am privileged and honored to be working for JPS,” Michos said. “I would like to extend my gratitude to the JPA and Mr. Hessney for honoring my daughter, Ellen, with the Karen Hessney Scholarship. We are thrilled and thankful for this opportunity.”

This year’s topic asked applicants to “Describe how you have made a positive impact in your school or community.” Each year the Scholarship Committee, made up of AJP members and Mr. Hessney, seeks to choose a topic that highlights a strength or trait displayed by Karen in her lifetime. Whether it is a struggle they have overcome or how they will use their degree to help others, each application shows Karen Hessney’s spirit of giving.