Alexandra Wing-LaClaire Awarded United Personnel Scholarship

SPRINGFIELD — Alexandra Wing-LaClaire, a former United Personnel employee working at Yankee Candle, has been awarded the 2016 United Personnel Scholarship. Wing-LaClaire received the $500 scholarship to support her studies at the University of New England (UNE) in Biddeford, Maine, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in athletic training, exercise and sports performance. She aspires to become a physical therapist.

Wing-LaClaire is currently a member of the women’s rugby team at UNE. She finds rugby helps motivate her to excel academically. She was a senior leader of the Upward Bound program from 2014 to 2015 and served as a volunteer from 2011 to 2015. She was a member of several sports teams in high school, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and softball.

“Working at United Personnel has taught me that, in order to become successful in life, you must work hard to achieve your dreams. Every step that you make in life gets you closer to your goal. Working hard and overcoming everyday obstacles is all part of the process,” Wing-LaClaire said. “I am incredibly grateful to receive the United Personnel Scholarship. The tuition reimbursement will help make it possible to continue to gain the knowledge that I need in order to, first, obtain my bachelor’s degree in applied exercise science, and, hopefully, move on to graduate school to ultimately become a physical therapist.”

Each year, United Personnel awards a United Personnel contract employee, or the child of a United Personnel contract employee, who has worked at least 160 hours and is currently enrolled or is a recent graduate of an accredited college and has an outstanding academic record.

“A scholarship is a community investment in an individual. Our hope is that this student will be empowered to eventually use their success to give back to the community,” said United Personnel President Tricia Canavan. “It was a tough choice with so many applicants. I truly feel like Alexandra met the criteria of being a great all-around student and employee as well as showing community involvement.”