From left are Sheryl Marsh Association of Jamestown Paraprofessionals member, Megan Seeley, Vesna Carlson Association of Jamestown paraprofessionals president, and Paul Hessney.

The Association of Jamestown Paraprofessionals along with Paul Hessney have named Megan Seeley as winner of the Karen Hessney $1,000 scholarship.

Megan is the daughter of Roe and Ron Seeley and a granddaughter of Sheryl Marsh, a member of the Association of Jamestown Paraprofessionals. Seeley is 2017 graduate of Southwestern High School and 2019 graduate of Jamestown Community College. She will further her education at the State University at Fredonia majoring in biology.

The scholarship honors Karen Hessney, who after a courageous battle with cancer passed away six years ago and is in its sixth year. Mrs. Hessney’s was a NYSUT labor relations specialist , union president and as well as a teacher for many years.

“I am very honored to have received this scholarship and am very thankful for Paul Hessney and the AJP for making this scholarship available,” Seeley said. “This scholarship is helping me receive my bachelor’s degree, and for that I am very grateful. Thank you all!”

This year’s topic was “How do you plan to use your education to change the world for the better?” At the start of June, Seeley is going to South Africa with African Impact Organization as a volunteer to research specific animals: lions, buffalos, elephants, leopards and rhinos at Kruger National Park. She will also teach communities about conservation efforts.

“Karen Hessney would have been trilled to have someone, with a spirit to match hers, do such a wonderful thing,” said Vesna Carlson, Association of Jamestown Paraprofessionals president.

The Scholarship Committee is made up of AJP members; Mrs. Carlson, Roseann Pajersky, AJP vice president, Valerie Terrill, AJP member and Paul Hessney, Karen Hessney’s husband.