AFT-Wisconsin members highly value and honor education. As part of our values, we offer scholarships for children and grandchildren of current or retired AFT-Wisconsin members who will be attending technical colleges or universities. This year a $1,000 university scholarship and a $500 technical college scholarship were awarded.
University Scholarship: Sierra DuCharme-Hansen
Sierra DuCharme-Hansen, daughter of Barbara DuCharme, Madison Area Technical College, Local 243, received the university scholarship. She graduated from Sun Prairie High School and plans to earn a MFA degree in theatre and/or creative writing at Westminster College or UW Stevens Point. Ultimately she wants to work in the television industry with an emphasis on acting and screenwriting. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society, forensics team, drama club, math league, Circle of Voices diversity group, and symphonic band. She wrote and produced a Reader’s Theatre Production as well as a 10 episode webseries. In addition, she has volunteered her time at the community food pantry, been a mentor for an elementary school drama club, and been a Sunday school teacher. During the summer of 2013 she found time to work 40 hours a week as a marketing intern where she set appointments for actors, ran the front desk, gave presentations to local organizations, and filmed shows.
The technical college scholarship was awarded to Arielle Konze, daughter of Dawn Konze, Western Wisconsin Technical College, Local 3605 Paraprofessionals and School Related Personnel. Arielle attended Westby High School where she participated in band, musical theatre, and the psychology club; was a regional representative in Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America; and served as 4-H historian; was a manager for basketball and baseball, among other things. She was employed by the Villa Saint Joseph Franciscan Sisters as a dietary aide. She plans to acquire an associate degree from WWTC in accounting and then transfer to Viterbo University to obtain a BA degree. Her long-range plans include getting her MBA and eventually becoming a CPA.