Local 1408 of the International Longshoremen’s Association awards $23,000 in scholarships to area students

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Local 1408 of the International Longshoremen’s Association today awarded more than $23,000 in scholarships to 24 area high school seniors and college students during a ceremony at JAXPORT.

Scholarship applicants were required to submit essays discussing how Jacksonville’s vast transportation network has benefited the Northeast Florida community.

One of the winners, Tinesha Spencer, a senior studying Public Health at the University of North Florida, plans to use the money to fulfill her parents’ dream of seeing her graduate from college. “My mother passed away two years ago. This scholarship is pushing me to continue because I had really thought about giving up on school.”

Tinesha’s scholarship essay states, in part, “Jacksonville’s transportation network has impacted me personally by allowing my father to stay employed. The ILA in conjunction with JAXPORT has made it possible for me to continue my education; as well as ensure my family has the necessities needed to live: Food, water, clothing, and shelter. And for that, my family and I are forever grateful.”

To be considered for the scholarship, students were also required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA and complete community service activities in addition to submitting an essay.  

ILA Local 1408 helps connect more than 1,200 longshoremen and dock workers with jobs at JAXPORT. Opportunities for these members continue to grow along with the port.