Above: Tom Butler, Jr. with Rocco Blasi.
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) last week announced that two local people— Zion Atkinson of Dorchester and Rocco Blasi of South Boston— have been awarded scholarships as part of the agency’s annual efforts to support neighborhood students.
Atkinson, a recent graduate of Concord Carlisle High School, is one of the recipients of its annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Scholarships.z
“Everything we do here at Massport involves STEM,” said Rich Davey, Massport CEO. “There are countless career paths in the tech and science industries for students to explore, and so many opportunities here in Massachusetts. We wish Zion the best of luck at school, and hope these scholarships encourage even more students to take a serious look at the STEM disciplines when planning their career paths.”
Zion Atkinson with his mom.
Atkinson, an incoming freshman at UMass Amherst, will study economics. He has been involved in the Dorchester community, volunteering with the No Pressure on Us food pantry and with Restorative Justice Community Action.
Blasi, a recent graduate of Catholic Memorial High School, is the recipient of the 2026 Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship, which honors the memory of Tommy Butler, the long-time Massport Director of External Affairs and lifelong South Boston resident and activist.
Blasi will attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst to study economics. Throughout his teenage years, he demonstrated a strong commitment to his community, volunteering at Marian Manor, the Murphy Ice Rink, and the Walsh Community Center.
The Massport Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students who have a minimum 3.0 grade point average, have shown an interest in pursuing a degree that could be utilized in the transportation industry, have done community service, accepted to an accredited college or university, and have submitted essays describing their career interests and community service involvement.
