Alene Candles awards annual $500 scholarship

June 20, 2019 – NASHUA TELEGRAPH

MILFORD – In an effort to promote the next generation of scientists and engineers, Alene Candles, a company with operations in Milford, recently awarded Milford High School graduating senior Keon Jackson a $500 scholarship.

This scholarship will help Jackson as he heads to Nashua Community College in the fall to begin his pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in network engineering.

Jackson received the award during a presentation at his school earlier this month. Jackson is the son of Saicha Pacheco, a production lead at Alene Candles. Pacheco has served in this position for five years. She expressed gratitude for Jackson’s scholarship.

“The scholarship will help because it helps financially,” Pacheco said. “He is planning on getting a bachelor’s degree. Any bit of help is awesome.”

She added, “I’m very, very thankful that they’re willing to help me out like that. I think it’s great. It’s a very sweet and thoughtful thing that out of all the applicants, they chose (Keon).”

Company President Rod Harl stated, “This year, we’re pleased to award Keon Jackson with a scholarship.

His mother has made countless contributions to the organization. We know that Keon will do the same in the future, wherever his path may lead.”

According to Alene officials, Jackson’s application immediately stood out, as he wrote about his desire to work hard, and to make his mother proud by graduating from college.

He also stood out with his teamwork and goal-setting mentality and his volunteer work within his community.

This is the eighth year the company awarded a Milford graduating senior with a scholarship. Alene Candles Director of Human Resources Heidi Ebol said every year, the pool of applicants has gotten larger and larger.

Ebol said officials look at several areas when selecting a student for a scholarship.

She said they prefer to support students who are interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

They also take into account grades and who may get other scholarships.

There’s also an essay, she said, which they weigh heavily. Ebol said it great to support both Jackson and Pacheco.