Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2011, PROTEC17 has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to the children of members. After very careful deliberation, we are proud to announce that our 2020 scholarship winners are Leland Adams and Jamie Kojiro. 

Each year, the PROTEC17 scholarship is open to the children, grandchildren or dependents of members as they enter or continue their studies in college or technical school. There are two $3,000 awards – one for an incoming freshman, and one for a continuing college student. Scholarship applications were accepted through July 31 and, this year, PROTEC17 saw an increase in the number of applications received. In the application, students are asked to demonstrate their academic achievements, educational goals, and extracurricular activities. In addition, applicants submit letters of recommendation, and a labor-related essay. 

Leland Adams, son of City of Seattle member Roger V. Adams, is our continuing college student winner. He is studying business at the University of Washington Tacoma campus. In addition to business classes, this quarter Adams is taking African American studies and an Environmental Sustainability course. As a student who is very active on campus, he is disappointed to start this school year online due to the pandemic, but values the UW’s efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy. 

Jamie Kojiro, daughter of City of Portland member Leigh Kojiro, is our freshman scholarship winner. While she is physically on campus at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her classes will also be online during the duration of the pandemic. She is taking a wide variety of classes as an English major, and has an interest in using communcations as a tool to affect change in the current socio-political climate.   

PROTEC17 thanks all of our applicants, and wishes them the best of luck this school year. Both Adams and Kojiro expressed their deepest gratitude to PROTEC17 for supporting their education, especially during these tenuous times. 

“This scholarship truly comes at a critical time for me,” said Adams. “Much like my peers, it feels as if I have been balancing the weight of the world on my shoulders as I juggle school, work, advocating for the wellness of my community, and most
importantly, staying healthy.”