National Institute for Labor Relations Research Announces 2026 Applegate-Jackson-Parks and William B. Ruggles Scholarships Winners
We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship and the William B. Ruggles Journalism Scholarship. These awards recognize outstanding individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to Right to Work principles—the belief that no person should be compelled to join or financially support a labor organization as a condition of employment—while upholding the highest standards of integrity and excellence in education and journalism.
Selected through a rigorous blind review process from a highly competitive field of teacher scholarship applicants and journalism applicants, these recipients exemplify the values of voluntary association, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and principled professionalism.
2026 Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship Recipient: Ala Abu Rub of Virginia
Ala is a dedicated special education teacher at an Elementary School in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia, where she provides compassionate, individualized support to preschool children with exceptional needs. A proud U.S. immigrant, mother, and special education teacher, Ala balances the demands of family life, serving students with exceptional needs, and graduate studies in educational leadership.
In her moving essay, “Teaching with Integrity: Choice, Conscience, and Commitment,” Ala powerfully articulates that true professional dedication arises from voluntary choice rather than compulsion. She explains how honoring individual conscience fosters greater accountability, innovation, trust, and meaningful collaboration within the teaching profession. Drawing inspiration from the courageous examples of Carol Applegate, Kay Jackson, and Dr. Anne Parks, Ala pledges to model these values in her work with students and in her future leadership roles—championing educator autonomy and the civic responsibility that sustains a healthy democracy.
2026 William B. Ruggles Journalism Scholarship Recipient: Matthew Hable of California
Matthew is an accomplished independent writer, editor, and strategic communicator with a strong background in journalism and media. He previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the campus newsletter The Lumberjack at Cal Poly Humboldt and is currently pursuing advanced studies in Media and Strategic Communication.
In his thoughtful and incisive essay, Matthew offers a clear and compelling defense of Right to Work principles. He emphasizes that protecting workers begins with respecting their freedom to choose whether to join or support a union—without coercion, pressure, or penalty. Matthew highlights how voluntary systems promote greater labor mobility, economic opportunity, transparency, and accountability, while compulsory arrangements risk silencing diverse perspectives and reducing institutional responsiveness. He commits to bringing a balanced, skeptical, and inclusive approach to labor policy reporting—one that centers individual experiences and examines institutional power dynamics with integrity and is currently pursuing an MA in Strategic Communication at Washington State University.”.
We congratulate Ala Aburub and Matthew Hable on this well-deserved recognition. Their work and perspectives represent the very best of the next generation of educators and journalists who will advance voluntary cooperation, individual liberty, and ethical professionalism in their fields.
The National Institute for Labor Relations Research is honored to support Ala’s and Matthew’s continued growth and impact.