2006 NATCA Scholarship Winners and Award Winning Essay
The following students received a scholarship of $1,000. In addition, NATCA awards a $2,000 Presidential Award to the student whose essay best captures the union's essence. This year's Presidential Award winner is Daniel Mosley, son of Palo Alto Tower Controller Larry Mosley.
Zachary Bjornson-Hooper
Son of Oakland Center Controller Rodney Hooper
Christopher Bond
Son of Flint Bishop Tower Controller Susann Bond
Timothy Broderick
Son of Denver Center Controller Timothy Broderick
Kathleen Broderick
Daughter of Denver Center Controller Timothy Broderick
Nicole Chiu
Daughter of Eastern Region Engineer Oiming Chiu
Megan Curran
Daughter of Providence Tower Controller Edward Curran
Kelly Durham
Daughter of Jacksonville Center Controller Barry Durham
Jeaan Johnson
Daughter of Charlotte Tower Controller Harry L. Johnson
Jaqueline Kurecki
Daughter of Richmond Tower Controller Theresa Bedner
Laura LeBlanc
Daughter of Memphis Tower Controller Gary LeBlanc
Dan Lescanec
Son of Anchorage TRACON Controller Larry Lescanec
Amy Loy
Daughter of Tampa Tower Controller Franklin A. Loy
Matthew Merkel
Son of Chicago Center Controller Dave Merkel
Kiersten Miller
Daughter of Seattle Center Controller Kevin Miller
Daniel Mosley
Son of Palo Alto Tower Controller Larry Mosley
Timothy Naiman
Son of Denver Center Controller Mike Naiman
Patrick O’Neill
Son of Milwaukee/Mitchell Tower Controller Terrance O’Neill
Chris Paplow
Son of Madison Tower Controller Mike Paplow
Edward Scofield, Jr.
Son of Washington, D.C. Center Controller Edward Scofield
Kristyn Smith
Daughter of Tampa Tower Controller Michael A. Smith
Michelle Sybouts
Daughter of Spokane Tower Controller Michael Sybouts
Daniel Mosley’s award-winning essay:
I was raised in a Union Family. When I was young I knew little about what that meant. As I grew and learned many life lessons from my parents, I came to appreciate how this concept of unionism added to my life. I knew my father had been in a union and had gone on strike. I knew that he had a deep sense of loyalty and respect for the people he was involved with.
When I was in the second grade it became necessary to have surgery on both of my legs. I was born with cerebral palsy, which has affected my walking and balance. The operation was needed to help with my walking as I grew. It was very obvious to me the value of my friends and teacher during the recovery time that I spent in a wheelchair. I was able to continue in class and play with my friends. The group of people who always accepted me seemed to step forward and help even more in getting around school and not missing out on anything.
In 1997, I was still determined to play baseball with my friends in Little League. What I learned about teamwork and camaraderie was invaluable. I obviously was not the best ballplayer on the team and was pretty slow running to first base. But my loyalty to the team drove me to always try my best.
At the end of the Little League season, there was one single award given. I was proud to receive that award for the Most Inspirational Person of the Year. My award is still displayed in the Scotts Valley City Hall.
I have continued to contribute to a group of people who have become my church family. I sing in the adult choir, which requires me to do my part and contribute to the whole. I help the staff direct the children’s choir, which helps me to develop some leadership abilities. And finally, I have enjoyed being a technical team member helping to provide sound and lighting support to an even larger group of performers.
In my high school, I joined other students to perform in the school play. In addition, I have again tested my leadership ability by forming and being president of the school chess club. I’m currently a member of the Christian Fellowship of Athletes.
My goal this fall is to attend Azusa Pacific College and major in music education. This is a Christian college and my minor will be in youth ministries. Hopefully, I can someday become a music teacher or high school pastor.
My father returned to air traffic control and is again an active part of his union. Working in separate positions of Facility Representative and Vice President, he continues to be an example to me of how to be an active participant with fellow workers and his job. He has taught me this sense of community. This responsibility shared with others that we live and work with has been a common thread woven throughout my growing up.
