1997 Union Plus Credit Card Scholarship Winners

You or your child could win this year. Apply in September.

SCHOLARSHIPS. Now in its sixth year, the Union Plus Credit Card Scholarship Program has awarded more than $790,000 in scholarships. In 1997 alone, a total of $152,000 in scholarships was awarded to 105 students selected from a pool of over 10,000 applicants. Closer to home, 13 AFSCME scholars won a total of $17,500. Scholarship awards ranged from $500 to $4,000.

WHO’S ELIGIBLE. Members, their spouses and their children are eligible. Eligibility extends to foster children, stepchildren and adopted children, but excludes grandchildren and graduate students.

Members must have at least one year of continuous, good-standing membership in AFSCME in order for spouses and children to be eligible, but need not be Union Plus cardholders in order to apply.

HOW TO APPLY. Applicants must:

• be accepted into an accredited college or community college or a recognized technical or trade school by June 30;
• submit their high school, college or trade school transcript; submit exam scores for the SAT or ACT, if they have taken either exam; and
• provide one personal reference, a verification of AFSCME membership and an essay of 500 words on the applicant’s personal interests and aspirations, as well as an explanation of why he or she is deserving of a union scholarship.

Members can obtain an application in September by sending a postcard with their name, local union number, Social Security number and address to: Union Plus Credit Card Scholarship, P.O. Box 9389, Minneapolis, Minn. 55440-9389.

AWARDS. An impartial committee of post-secondary school educators will make the awards based on such factors as academic achievement and potential, character, leadership, social awareness, career goals and financial need.

DEADLINE. Applications will be available in September and must be postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 1998. Scholarship recipients will be notified by May 31, 1998.

Here are the 1997 winners:

• Carol Crowe of MN Local 2822 (Council 14)
  Having cared for a mother who died of lymphoma and a brother who recently died of AIDS, Carol is attending night school to achieve her goal of making a profession of her talent for caring for others.
• Maiga Dorval, daughter of Marie Dorval, FL Local 1363 (Council 79)
  Maiga is a straight-A student who dreams of pursuing a career as an international lawyer and eventually becoming a federal court judge and a politician.
• Ann Marie Garcia, daughter of Catherine Saldana-Ainsworth, CA Local 3090 (Council 36)
  Ann Marie hopes to become a pediatrician so she can make a difference in people’s lives in the tradition of her own pediatrician and of her grandfather, a mine worker who struggled to form a union.
• Adrian Guy, daughter of Darlene Guy, TN Local 1733
  A community activist who has volunteered as a youth counselor in an adolescent shelter, Adrian plans to study mathematics and marine science in college, then teach high school, while working toward a master’s degree.
• Dorie Mileti of Local 4/Ohio Association of Public School Employees
  Union activist and mother of three, Dorie recently returned to school to become a registered dietitian.
• Michael Monroe, son of John Monroe, retired member of NY Local 1000/Civil Service Employees Association
  Mike has wanted to be a fireman since he was 10 years old and, in pursuit of that dream, has completed the training to become a qualified crew member of the Jaws of Life Rescue Team and has taken a course in arson investigation at the New York State Fire Academy.
• Ryan Moskal, son of Ronald Moskal, WV Local 7777 (Council 77)
  A straight-A student who participates in many clubs and activities, Ryan plans a career in electrical or computer engineering, and says he may work for "a high-tech company developing the technology that will drive the world in the 21st century."
• Jenny Schmidt, daughter of Linda Schmidt, Local 52/Alaska State Employees Association
  Valedictorian of her high school and an active participant in the school’s jazz band, vocal jazz and concert choir, Jenny plans to earn a master’s degree and perhaps a doctorate in music in pursuit of her dream of being a music teacher.
• Ryan Theuer, son of Karen Theuer, Local 52/Alaska State Employees Association
  The product of French, German, Irish and Native American ancestry, Ryan says he has been shaped by "three generations of union membership" and he hopes to carry on that tradition after graduating from college as an agricultural engineer.
• Elizabeth VanWormer, daughter of Laura VanWormer, MI Local 2098 (Council 25)
  Valedictorian of her class, Elizabeth volunteers daily at an animal clinic and plans to study veterinary medicine so she can start a veterinary outreach program for underprivileged children.
• Jamie Varughese, daughter of Koshy Varughese, TX Local 1550 (Council 42)
  The recipient of numerous academic awards and honors, Jamie lost her mother to cancer two years ago. The experience helped her decide to dedicate her life to fighting disease by becoming a doctor.
• Jonathan West, son of Sharon Maszal, MI Local 3154 (Council 25)
  An athlete and a scholar, Jonathan graduated first in his class, served on his high school student council and played on the school’s varsity football, wrestling and track teams. He hopes to become a biochemical engineer.
• Nikki Wood, daughter of Frances Wood, NY Local 1000/Civil Service Employees Association
  A tireless participant in high school activities and winner of numerous awards, Nikki chose law as her career after her sister was abducted by a stranger and murdered in 1993. She says she hopes to "put more emphasis on justice for victims."