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Celebrate the Freedom to Learn

Celebrate the Freedom to Learn
By Brian J. Wagner
Past NAPS President

This past spring, many members of our NAPS family experienced proud moments when they saw their children, grandchildren and members of their extended and blended families graduate from middle and high school and colleges. As a proud grandparent, I witnessed my granddaughter, Makenna, graduate from the Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in marine biology. Go Mariners! Unfortunately, there are so many children and young adults who don’t have the opportunity to receive a quality education. Here’s the scoop!

I am a strong believer in education, training, coaching, mentoring and personal development. However, during a recent internet search, I found that, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), there are about 263 million children out of school. This includes 61 million children of primary school age (5 to 11), 60 million of lower secondary school age (11 to through 14) and the first-ever estimate of upper secondary school age at 142 million (15 to 19). Nearly 130 million girls are not enrolled in formal education; more than half are in crisis-affected countries. In one specific country, girls no longer even are allowed to attend secondary school.

In my May 2022 column in The Postal Supervisor, I referenced advice my father once gave me: “Get an education, because no one can ever 52 July 2024 / The Postal Supervisor take that away from you.” Unfortunately, there are millions of people, mostly children, who lack the resources to get a formal education.Sad, but true.

I wish we could help them all. However, I understand the reality of life and the world. But that doesn’t mean we give up. We just find ways and opportunities to help as many as possible who are seeking a quality education.

NAPS has found two ways to provide annual, educational scholarships to children and grandchildren of living active or associate NAPS members who are attending or have been accepted to an accredited, two- or four-year college or university.

First are the Vince Palladino Student Memorial Scholarships that provide 10, $1,000 scholarships awarded to a child or grandchild of a living, active or associate member, two per NAPS region. This year’s Palladino scholarship deadline was June 30, so be ready for next year.

Second is the NAPS Louis M. Atkins Presidential Student Scholarships. The application process will start soon and end on Dec. 31, 2024. The Atkins scholarship awards five, $1,000 scholarships randomly selected from each of the five NAPS regions.

These national NAPS scholarships are in honor of past NAPS presidents who gave so much in support of our great association. Through their legacy, what better way to help show support for our children and grandchildren than by providing an opportunity to a quality college education?

Providing educational opportunities doesn’t have to stop at the national level. I am aware of many NAPS branches, including my own, that have successful scholarship programs. I encourage every NAPS branch that does not have a scholarship program to consider starting one. It is not overly complicated to get started. I suggest you reread my May 2022 column for guidance.

Other options to consider when promoting education is for the branch to support its community by making a donation to a scholarship program sponsored by a local service group such as the Rotary, Lion’s Club or Kiwanis. There also are nonprofit organizations providing scholarships for trade school, nursing and social work, to name just a few. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain when we invest in our youth’s education.

As we celebrate our American freedoms this 4th of July, let us not forget the freedoms and opportunities we have in our great country. Especially the freedom and opportunity to get an education so we can learn to make our country and the world better places in which to live.

Please keep our military men and women currently defending our freedoms in your thoughts and prayers. Furthermore, remember our military veterans and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice throughout our country’s history to preserve the land of the free, where all are created equal with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Speaking of happiness, I am happy to announce two things. First is the April 2024 winner of my “Nifty-50 Membership Drive” of a $100 Visa gift card—Matt LaPlant, Anchorage Branch 435. And second, my ice-cream-flavor-of-the month-recommendation: Breyers® Star Spangled Scoops Red, White & Blueberry.

Be safe and eat more ice cream!