July 18, 2025 — PEF started the Joseph Scacalossi Scholarship in 1988 to help children, stepchildren and wards of active, retired or deceased PEF members finance their education. Scacalossi was a PEF member who worked at the Department of Labor in Manhattan and fought hard for members’ rights.
This year, PEF received 194 applications and the following 10 students were selected by the PEF Scholarship Committee, which is chaired by Catherine Adams, a senior parole officer in Region 11, and consists of Rudy Arias, a program specialist at OMH in Region 8, Mario Chiarello, an IT specialist with OITS in Region 8, and Karen Tully, a senior attorney with the Department of State in Region 8.
Giada Amendolara is a graduating senior from Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn. As a student, Giada earned several awards for outstanding scholarly achievements, including making the Principal’s List, and becoming a member of the Rho Kappa Honor Society. She was also president of her Scholar Society and treasurer of the National Honor Society.
Giada was focused on civics during high school, serving in student government as a class representative, secretary and treasurer. She was also captain of the Varsity Swim and Cross Country Teams. She played on the Varsity Lacrosse team as well and was club president of Students for Soldiers.
Giada was also involved for many years at several local churches, including as a volunteer swim coach for parishioners.
She will be attending St. John’s University in Queens.
Serinda Becker is a graduating senior from Colonie Central High School in the Capital Region. Serinda received several scholarly awards while in high school, including induction into both the National Honor Society and High Honor Roll for maintaining a high-grade point average.
When she was not studying, Serinda was swimming. She was co-captain of the Varsity Swim team and a team member of the Star Fish Swim Club and participated in the Relay for Life. She was also involved in acting and theatre as part of the Line and Cue Club, and worked at the Local Haunter Maze. She won a regional award for being a part of one of the best local High School Musicals.
Serinda will be attending Ithaca College.
Cassandra Gallagher graduated from Our Lad of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie. She is a recipient of several academic awards, including becoming a member of the National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, the Honor’s List and the Dean’s List for achieving a 95% grade point average with no grade below 90.
She received several athletic achievements and notices, including the Varsity 845 “Player to Watch”, recognizing a standout athlete. She was captain of the Varsity Soccer team and president of the Rotaract club.
Cassandra also worked as a volunteer firefighter, participating in support services, fundraising, and community outreach events.
Cassandra will be attending Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.
Rachel Hann is a graduating senior from West Genesee High School outside Syracuse. As a student, Rachel spent much of her time achieving high honors with an over 95 grade point average for all four years of her high school career. She also received awards for Civic Engagement as part of the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute.
Aside from performing civic duties and earning good grades, Rachel spent time during her academic career as part of both the Varsity Swim team and the Camillus Swim Club. She also played viola as part of the Orchestra and Symphony Club.
Rachel’s extracurricular activities included working on humanitarian projects that delivered services to the Philippines and Malaysia. She also worked at the Bishop’s Storehouse, a local food pantry.
Rachel will be attending Brigham Young University in Utah.
Emma Kavanagh graduated from Tupper Lake High School in the North Country. She is a high achieving honor student who graduated valedictorian and received the National Merit Scholarship Program Recognition Award and St. Lawrence Environmental Scholars honor for leadership and academic merit.
Emma was heavily involved in civic engagement locally and nationally. She was the Student Government treasurer and secretary for three years. She also was a volunteer for the Red Cross, participated in street cleanups via the Green Team—where she served as vice president—and worked as part of the ClimaTeens Fellowship.
She has a passion for education and engaging with her community and worked at The Wild Center, a natural history museum centered around climate and animals, to help educate guests at the museum.
Emma will be attending St. Lawrence University in Canton.
Molly Marcus is a graduate of Nanuet Senior High School in Rockland County. She is a high achieving student and served as vice president of the National Honor Society. She also received awards from the New York State School Music Association and All-County Band, scoring 100 on her music exams.
Molly was president of the Interact Club and a member of the Varsity Softball team. She spent much of her high school career working to make connections and assist others as part of the American Red Cross, Touching Bases, and Project Joy with People to People. Additionally, she was heavily involved in her Temple Choir as a soloist.
Molly will be attending the University of Connecticut.
Daniella Oberting is a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany. She received several awards from her school, including the Merit Scholarship and the Superior Recognition Award from the National Council of English Teachers.
Daniella was very involved at her school and served as a class representative, publicity officer, secretary and president of the Student Council throughout her career. She was also an officer with the Ambassador’s Club and president of the Youth Ministry.
She volunteered with mass preparation, mass cantering and the “To Life!” program at her church. Daniella loves children and was trained in childcare and worked as a camp counselor.
Daniella will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Lea Rowett graduated from Sachem North High School on Long Island. She graduated 16th in her class and maintained a 98 overall grade point average. She was recognized by All County Academics for being one of the top 20 academics in Suffolk County Lacrosse. She was also awarded the Arrow Award for athletes with good academic achievement and character.
In addition to captaining Varsity Lacrosse, Lea was a part of the Varsity Volleyball team and was captain for one year.
Aside from academics and athletics, Lea focused on giving back to her community by volunteering with the One Love Dog Rescue and Mental Health Series. Additionally, she helped run donations for the Ronald McDonald House and organized toy drives for local organizations.
Lea will be attending Binghamton University.
Andrew Strollo is a graduate of LeRoy High School in Genesee County. He is currently a student at the University of Rochester.
During his high school career, he achieved high honors and was inducted into the National Honor Society where he became treasurer. He also received the citizenship award for exhibiting high character.
As a high school student, sports were very important to Andrew, as he participated in youth football and baseball. As a student at the University of Rochester, he plays on the UR football team.
He has volunteered at Community Kitchens, organized food and clothing drives, as well as participated in the Genesee County Fair.
Angela Tawfik is a graduate of Guilderland High School in the Capital Region. She is currently attending Siena College.
As a High School student, Angela received the AP Scholar award for achieving high scores on three or more AP exams. She also received the Johns Hopkins Book Award for showing strength of character for the betterment of society. And lastly, she was inducted into the National Honor Society.
Angela demonstrated dedication to her education by joining and becoming the vice president and later president of the New York State Math League Club. She was also vice president of the Science Olympiad.
She volunteered with Albany Medical Center, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Center and the Capital City Rescue Mission, serving meals to homeless individuals or participating in recreational games with patients.