BAC Announces 2022 US Bates Scholarship Recipients

Thanks to the 2022 US Bates Scholarship program, three college-bound students from BAC families will be receiving a little help. Each year, BAC awards three scholarships to the students of parents or step-parents who are BAC members in the U.S. The stipends are $5,000 per year for up to four years – up to $20,000 total.

Rachael Lally

Attending: Butler University
Major: Pharmacy
Family/IU Info: Thomas Lally, BAC Local 21 Illinois 

Q1: What does this recognition mean to you?
To me, this recognition illustrates not only how much the BAC cares about its members, but also how all my hardwork and service throughout school has immensely paid off. 

Q2: What does the union mean to you and your family?
The union is a blessing to me and my family. It gives my dad a sense of unity as well as security in the workplace. My family thus reaps the benefits of financial security as well as the provision of what a good occupation should look like for when I, and my younger sister as well, enter the career world. 

Q3: What advice would you offer your peers and younger students?
The best advice from me to peers and younger students is to find genuine enjoyment in whatever you’re doing. Having a sense of optimism makes activities that are seemingly difficult or tedious more meaningful; the result of this is better quality projects and overall mental health.  

Q4: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best piece of advice I have ever received is that everything happens for a reason. To most this sounds rather cliche, but this advice has gotten me through a lot of tough times. Every experience has a lesson that can be utilized in the future. 

Q5: Who would you like to give a shout-out to?
I would like to give a shout-out to my parents. My mom and dad have not only been role models to me but also friends. I owe much of my work ethic and sense of responsibility to them. They are my biggest supporters, and I don’t know where I would be without them.
 

Ian Harrington

Attending: Denison University
Major: Environmental Science
Family/IU Info: Daniel Harrington, BAC Local 5 Ohio  

Q1: What does this recognition mean to you?
For me, this recognition is a culmination of all my hard work in high school. From taking IB to diversifying my college search process, I was constantly staying up late and waking up early to attain my goals. My top priority for choosing a college was to alleviate the financial burden from my parents’ shoulders - something that is not easily attained. I had to apply for countless scholarships, all for different schools, despite knowing that I would only choose one in the end. But for me, it was all about finding the balance of academic rigor and financial security, which thankfully happened at Denison. Thus, this recognition is extremely significant to both me and my family.

Q2: What does the union mean to you and your family?
For my family and I, the union has been a significant factor in our lives. As described in my essay, the union gave my dad the opportunity to spend more time with his family, which is something every parent cherishes and values. I understand the weight my father had to carry being a bricklayer, and how his family could help relieve him of this weight. The union always supported my dad, us as a family, and ultimately created a happy and loving household.

Q3: What advice would you offer your peers and younger students?
I always tell my younger sister to widen her horizons and to never give up on anything in life - from running cross country to completing a late-night project. I always struggled with this concept in high school, whether it was finishing up a 10-mile run or studying for a chemistry test, I did not know if all the dedication was worth it. I was rejected from colleges, rejected from scholarships, but continued to work with as much heart and happiness as possible. After receiving this scholarship, I knew that the struggle paid off. If there was advice to give, I would say “embrace the struggle.”

Q4: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best piece of advice I have ever received came from one of my Theology teachers during my last semester of high school. He told me to “live with love.” I was going through a pretty rough patch with college and scholarship decisions, and I found at the time that I was not finding a reason to give love. While I was receiving it, I was failing to give it. However, after talking to my teacher about my struggles, he showed me that it does not take much to live with love, and now I do it every day. I remind my family and friends that I love them every single day, I give hugs when I can, and I am always open to having a conversation.

Q5: Who would you like to give a shout-out to?
I would like to give a shout-out my parents for pushing me to apply for this scholarship after I’ve already applied for so many others. I was not too confident in myself at the time. I would also like to thank my girlfriend Kerry who never stopped believing in me.
 

Ava Murray

Attending: Illinois State University 
Major: Business Administration
Family/IU Info: Timothy Murray, Local 21 IL

Q1: What does this recognition mean to you?
This recognition means so much to me, I always knew continuing my education was in my future, but the cost of it scared me. Knowing that I have resources to support my future endeavors has greatly eased my worries, and I am so grateful it came from an organization that means so much to my family.

Q2: What does the Union mean to you and your family?
The Union has always been an important part of my family. We have generations of union workers who have helped my family grow to who we are now. They serve as a constant reminder to me that hard work truly pays off.

Q3: What advice would you offer your peers and younger students?
One piece of advice I would offer my peers is not to worry so much about what others think of you, as long as you're happy and healthy you are doing the right thing. 

Q4: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best piece of advice I have ever received was that you create your own happiness. No matter my situation, this advice has reminded me to stay optimistic.

Q5: Who would you like to give a shout-out to?
I would like to give a shoutout to my parents for helping me become the person I am today and always showing me endless love.