CSEA LOCAL 828 HOSTS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS DINNER AT LIBERTY LODGE IN WEBSTER, N.Y.

Bess Watts, CSEA Local 828 President (2nd from left), stands with scholarship winners for 2013. The awards were presented on May 13, 2103 at picnic supper at Liberty Lodge, Finn Park, Webster, N.Y.photo: Ove Overmyer

Webster, N.Y.—On May 13, the CSEA Monroe County Local 828 Executive Board and the Local 828 Scholarship Committee hosted the 21th Annual Scholarship Award Dinner at Liberty Lodge in Finn Park, 850 Maple Dr., Webster, N.Y. At the picnic supper, Local officers announced the winners of the CSEA Local 828 George M. Growney Memorial Scholarships, Unit 7400 and the Jane McManus Scholarship Award for 2013. More than $8,200.00 was awarded to deserving area students this year.

Since 1993, CSEA Local 828 has awarded over $120,000.00 in scholarship prize money. In 1993, the Monroe County Employees Unit 7400, the largest Unit in the Local, created their own scholarship program and have distributed an additional $19,500.00.

George M. Growney Scholarships

Mr. Growney was a long time local labor leader and activist. He was employed as a probation officer with Monroe County. He served as local president for nearly two decades before his retirement in 1995. George had a passion for kids to succeed, and would be proud that his union brothers and sisters have carried on his legacy of love and commitment to youth. George M. Growney died on August 10, 1997. The scholarship program was named in his honor the following year after his death.

“This is one of the best things we do as union activists,” said Bess Watts, President of Local 828. She added, “It’s very rewarding to know we are helping our young people succeed in life.”

For a complete list of this year's winners, you can go here.

CSEA Local 828 Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors whose parents and caregivers are members or agency shop fee payers of Monroe County Local 828. The scholarship committees have reviewed thousands of applications in the past 21 years, demonstrating a significant need of financial resources for young adults continuing their formal education.  Scholarships applicants are judged on academic achievement, a written essay, financial need and potential.

Jane McManus Scholarship

Elisabeth Wisse, a graduate of Rush Henrietta High School, was the 2013 recipient of the Jane McManus Scholarship Award. Elisabeth was awarded $200.00 toward her books and school supplies. She will be attending the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage in July. Her mother is Lorry Wisse, a 33 year veteran of the Rochester Public Library and works as a clerk at the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County.

In 1974, Jane McManus started her public service career at the Rochester Public Library as a Senior Library Clerk. While a full-time employee, she also worked in the Literature and Local History Divisions. Shortly thereafter, Jane was promoted to part-time Library Assistant while working in the Reynolds Audio-Visual Department of the Central Library.

In 1991, she transferred to the Winton Branch Library and has been The Story Lady for over two decades. 

In 1993, Jane was appointed to the Part-Time Benefits Committee at the Rochester Public Library. In 1995, Jane was one of the founding members who organized and established CSEA Local 828 Unit 7420. Jane was unanimously elected as the first ever President of the City of Rochester Library Workers Unit, where she remained as President of the Unit until April 2006.

Jane remains active in CSEA serving as a Steward, Contract Negotiations Team member, Grievance Rep, member of the Local 828 Health & Safety Committee, and member of the Local 828 Scholarship Committee. She’s a strong advocate for workers’ rights and childhood education. Her CSEA part time library co-workers in Unit 7420 proposed that a scholarship be named in her honor in 2010. They did so knowing full well that Jane's passion, leadership abilities and vision should be forever acknowledged in perpetuity.