Union Plus Provides $200,000 to Help Students from Union Families Achieve Their Dreams
Press Contact: Jennifer Wright Dorr 202-293-5330
Washington, DC—A higher education is more important than ever. But with real wages falling for working families, health care costs increasing and tuition rising faster than the rate of inflation, affording an education now is even harder.
To meet the growing need, Union Plus provided $200,000 in scholarships to 133 students from 41 unions this year, including five recipients representing the United Steelworkers (USW). The scholarship recipients will be furthering their education with financial assistance from the 18th annual Union Plus Scholarship Program.
“We understand what working families are facing,” says Leslie Tolf, president of Union Privilege, the organization that provides an array of benefit programs for union families, including the scholarship program. “Many of this year’s applicants made it clear that, without help from our scholarship program, they would have to put their dreams on hold or forget about college entirely.”
Since starting the program in 1991, Union Plus has awarded $2.8 million in educational funding to 1,813 union members, spouses and dependent children. This year more than 4,200 applications were received from students representing 49 states, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Meet the 2009 USW Honorees
John Ertl – Local 2-0445
John Ertl of Park Falls, WI, whose father John W. Ertl is a member of Local 2-0445, has been awarded a $2,000 scholarship. John is candid about the challenges his family has been through, and continues to face. His two siblings with learning disabilities require extra care and specialized services. His father suffered a number of serious health issues back in the 1990s, before the family had union health insurance, and the bills piled up. Today, despite the comparative security of being in a household in which both parents are union members, John knows that with four siblings there won’t be enough money to pay for his college. But he has never let his challenges weigh on him, and never has faltered once in the pursuit of his dreams. “My diligence and hard work have set me up for success,” he says. “I have gained valuable life experiences from my time spent as a volunteer and as a leader.”
Madeline Court – Local 20
Madeline Court of Appleton, WI, whose father Clay Court is a member of Local 20, has been awarded a $2,000 scholarship. “My father is the hardest worker I know,” Madeline says. Early each morning at 7 o’clock, as she heads off to school, she reminds herself her dad already has been at work for two hours. “He has instilled in me the values of unionized labor like compassion, persistence, ingenuity and equality.” Madeline has tried to live up to her father’s values by working hard in school—taking a number of challenging college courses while still attending high school—and also through her dedication to community service, which has included raising funds for women in rural Guatemala and for homeless families close to home.
Michelle Eberhart – Local 105
Michelle Eberhart of Delmar, IA, whose father Joseph Eberhart is a member of Local 105, has been awarded a $4,000 scholarship. Michelle is pursuing a double major in business and philosophy at St. Ambrose University in Indiana. At first glance it might seem like an unlikely combination. But it makes sense for Michelle, a future leader who thinks hard about the ethics of her everyday actions. Her long list of volunteer activities goes back to middle school and includes delivering food to the hungry, hosting social events for senior citizens, donating blankets to victims of domestic violence and raising funds for families displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Michelle attributes her “compassionate and hard-working spirit” to her union bloodlines, going back to her grandfather who used his union pension to buy his first house, and including her father Joseph, a USW member since 1993. “As a result of the union’s significance in my life,” she says, “I know it’s critical to stand up for others in need, even when no one is watching.”
Delia Barajas – Local 7773
Delia Barajas of Cicero, IL, whose spouse Amado Barajas is a member of USW Local 7773, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Delia may not seem like a typical college student. A grandmother of eight with decades of experience as a community leader and organizer, she already has a proud life of accomplishments to look back on, including 16 years with the Interfaith Leadership Project and the legacy of helping to establish two neighborhood health care clinics. But Delia knows her biggest achievements still may be in front of her, which is why she has been pursuing a four-year degree in organizing. “If I am to become a more effective organizer and make even more changes in the community,” she says, “then it is vital for me to get the necessary training.”
Azirae Leonard – Local 14482
Azirae Leonard of Canon City, CO, whose father Benjamin Leonard is a member of Local 14482, has been awarded a $750 scholarship. “Life is not a spectator sport” could be Azirae’s motto. She plays volleyball; she is a member of the National Honor Society; she has received numerous athletic and academic awards; and she works hard in a variety of jobs to help raise money for college. But although Azirae is no spectator, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t observe life closely. She noticed, for example, when the USW stood up for her father during a difficult time. She realized that “my family could have lost our home” if her father had not been in the union. Azirae’s perceptiveness, eye for detail and impressive work ethic will serve her well in her future career as a designer.
Learn More About the Union Plus Scholarship Program
Please visit UnionPlus.org/Scholarships for information on eligibility and to apply for next year’s scholarships. Recipients are selected based on academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor.
Union Privilege offers the Union Plus benefits, which help union members and their families save money. Union Privilege also provides the Union Safe benefits, which assist union members during difficult times. One of the newest benefits is the College Savings Grant, which helps to spur savings for a bright future by adding to participating members’ contributions.
Other programs include mortgage and finance benefits, education and insurance benefits and even money-saving offers on health services and vacations. Union members can visit UnionPlus.org to find out which programs their unions offer.
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