Clark Scholarship Winner

APPLETON, WISCONSIN

NOTE:The online edition of this article has been edited to comply with Federal Election Commission regulations.

Nathan Suchomel heard his mother "freaking out" as he was watching TV."I thought there was an animal in the yard," he says, and he ran upstairs to help. Turns out his mother had simply opened the letter announcing that Nathan had won the 2004 Jerry Clark Scholarship — $10,000 per year for his junior and senior years at Drake University. His father, Kevin, serves on the executive board of Local 2416 (Council 40).

"Now I won't have to take out any unsubsidized loans," Nathan says. The award will also give his family more flexibility as his 16- and 17-year-old brothers get ready for college.

The scholarship honors Jerry Clark, the late, beloved director of AFSCME's Political Action Department. It includes an internship with the department.

Eligible candidates for the Clark Scholarship: children or financially dependent grandchildren of AFSCME members who are college sophomores with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better. They must be political science majors at an accredited college or university. The winner is selected by lottery.

Applications for 2005 will be available next March 15 at AFSCME's Web site. You can also contact the Department of Education and Leadership Training at (202) 429-1250 or e-mail education @ afscme.org. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than July 1, 2005. The winner will be announced by Aug. 1.