Competition includes written performance on assigned essay topic

NOT ONLY MUST applicants to the Boilermakers’ scholarship program meet all the eligibility requirements, they also have to complete a 300-500 word essay on an assigned topic.

While space does not permit publication of these essays in their entirety — or even excerpts from each of the 148 essays that were submitted — the Boilermaker Reporter would like to share the following views from our top two 2007 scholarship recipients on this year’s topic: “What is your view of the American (Canadian) dream for your generation.”

Zirl Hopkins III, son of Zirl Hopkins Jr. of Local D414, Pryor, Okla., earned the top scholarship award of $3,000. He believes the American Dream is threefold: a college education; an occupation that allows pursuit of our passions; and a family.

“I know that fulfillment is of much greater importance to me than wealth, and this knowledge has led me to pursue a degree in music education so that I can share this passion with others,” Zirl wrote. “We are a generation that has been supported emotionally and financially by previous generations, so we feel the need to give back to our communities through gifts and service.”

Steven Alagna, son of Vincent Alagna of Local 83, Kansas City, Mo., earned the Boilermaker’s second-highest award of $2,500. He worries that the American Dream has devolved, becoming materialistic and adolescent.

“Unfortunately, the American Dream has been warped from helping members of society to helping ourselves become rich and famous,” Steven wrote. “And although my view of Generation Y may be called pessimistic, it is undeniable that members of my generation have forsaken the baby boomer values of hard work and community service and replaced them with selfishly individual gratification.”