2025 Women of Steel $1,000 Scholarship Recipient

As 2025 High School Seniors are graduating across the Twin Tiers, WOS Local 1000 is elated to announce this year's recipient of the Women of Steel Local 1000 Female Scholarship 💛💙

Join us in congratulating Makayla Esau of Waverly, NY.

As a biracial young female diagnosed with ADHD living in a predominantly white town, Makayla navigated these challenges with a positive mindset, refusing to let her personal experiences sour her passion for helping others.

Makayla is an active volunteer of the Combat Veterans Motorcyle Association®️ NY Chapter 19-10 & VFW Post 8104 of Waverly, NY and is a current member of the NAACP.

Her high school career consisted of band, softball, and a strong focus on her academics.

She credits her father, an Army Veteran whom she identified as her role model, for her activism, work ethic, and resilience.

Makayla will be attending Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY for the Fall 2025 Semester

Congratulations, Makayla! We know you will do great things!

2026 scholarship applications are currently being accepted. You can pick one up at USW Local 1000 Union Hall 100 Civic Center Plaza Corning, NY or email Deanna Cavanaugh Local 1000 WOS Chair at deanna6907@gmail.com. Applications are due by May 1, 2026.