Union Scholarships Launch High Achievers

With college costs rising as much as 8 percent over the past year, these winners of CWA scholarships can breathe a sigh of relief.

“Learning in today’s world and preparation for tomorrow’s jobs is a lifelong proposition,” said CWA President Morton Bahr. “We’re proud of this year’s scholarship recipients and happy to help them take the first step in their post-secondary education.”

Beirne Foundation
CWA’s Joseph Anthony Beirne Foundation awards 30 two-year scholarships to members or family members. The scholarships, honoring CWA’s founding president, are valued at $3,000 a year. The foundation is funded by contributions from CWA members and locals. This year’s recipients are:

• John Brown, Wayne, N.J., son of Katherine Brown, Local 1031, secretary, William Paterson University.
• Thomas J. Pizzuta, Yardville, N.J., son of Thomas Pizzuta, Local 1034, radiation physicist, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
• Amy Sheth, Hamilton, N.J., daughter of Hema Sheth, Local 1034, field auditor, New Jersey Department of Labor.
• Karen Kavanaugh, Ewing, N.J., daughter of Kevin Kavanaugh, Local 1040, teacher, New Jersey Department of Corrections.
• Erin Duffy, Bronx, N.Y., daughter of Raymond Duffy, Local 1101, C.O.T., Verizon.
• Michael Rice, Cohoes, N.Y., son of Clare Miner, Local 1141, data processing clerk, New York State United Teachers.
• Kathryn Rakoczy, Staten Island, N.Y., granddaughter of Mary McMann, Local 1180, retired secretary, New York City Special Services for Children.
• Noah Burger, Massapequa, N.Y., son of Bruce Burger, Local 51011, videotape editor, NBC News.
• Aaron Withrow, Charleston, W.Va., son of Trena Withrow, Local 2001, operator, Verizon.
• Carson Strickland, New Orleans, La., son of Winiford Strickland, Local 52031, self-employed video photographer.
• Kristal Long, Daytona Beach, Fla., daughter of Turline Long Jr., Local 3102, service technician, Bell South.
• Joelle Ruben, Oakland Park, Fla., daughter of Arthur Ruben, Local 3104, electronic technician, Bell South.
• Shannon Long, Gastonia, N.C., daughter of Tula Long, Local 3603, office assistant, Bell South.
• Jeni Shoemaker, Bessemer, Ala., daughter of Anthony Shoemaker, Local 3912, customer service, Bell South.
• Michelle Borys, Livonia, Mich., daughter of Michael Borys, Local 4017, telephone repair, Ameritech.
• Derek Brown, Tallmadge, Ohio, son of Larry Brown, Local 4302, telecommunications specialist, Ameritech.
• Kristin Gill, Oak Creek, Wis., daughter of Michael Gill, Local 4603, facility engineer, Johnson Controls.
• Justin Pachuta, Crete, Ill., son of John Pachuta, Local 54041, engineer, WMAQ-TV.
• Jonathon Beene, Coweta, Okla., son of Frankie Beene, Local 6012, communications technician, Southwestern Bell.
• Timothy Hobby, Edmond, Okla., son of Richard and Kelli Hobby, Locals 6012 and 6016, communications technician and operator services, Southwestern Bell.
• Samantha St. Andrie, Huffman, Texas, daughter of Danny St. Andrie, Local 6222, customer service technician, Southwestern Bell.
• Rebecca Kim, Overland Park, Kan., daughter of Hee Tai Kim, Local 6395, technician, Lucent Technologies.
• Jodie McLachlan, Albuquerque, N.M., daughter of Michael McLachlan, Local 7011, network technician, US West.
• Meghan Gaughan, Kemmerer, Wyo., daughter of Timothy Gaughan, Local 7601, communications technician, US West.
• Steven Schmidt, Grand Forks, N.D., member, Local 14749, teacher, Grand Forks Public Schools.
• Anthony Miner, Colton, Calif., grandson of Nancy Miner, Local 9400, operator, Pacific Bell.
• Lauren Tarzia, Petaluma, Calif., daughter of Paul Tarzia, Local 9404, technician, Lucent Technologies.
• Crystal Donnelly, Acton, Calif., daughter of Harold Donnelly, Local 9503, maintenance splicing technician, Pacific Bell.
• Harmony Rosas-Davis, El Centro, Calif., daughter of Alfredo Rosas-Davis, Local 9509, system technician, Pacific Bell.
• Jamie Bittner, Rochester, Pa., daughter of Mary Jo Bittner, Local 13000, secretary, R-S Bellco FCU.

Union Plus Program
Fifteen CWA members, sons, daughters, spouses numbered among 126 winners of Union Plus Scholarships, representing 33 AFL-CIO unions. Their awards ranged from $500 to $3,000. Last year’s pool of applicants numbered 4,800. Applicants were evaluated by independent judges according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of the role of the labor movement.

Union Plus scholarships are funded by Union Privilege and Household Credit Services. Currently in its ninth year, the program is open to members of participating unions, their sons, daughters and spouses, regardless of whether they carry a Union Plus credit card.

Applications for the 2001 awards are currently available. To download from the Union Privilege web site, go to http://www.unionprivilege.org. Or, clearly print your name, return address, telephone number and international union affiliation on a postcard, and send it to: Union Plus Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 34800, Washington, D.C. 20043-4800. This year’s CWA winners:

• Daniel Story, Levittown, Pa., son of Jeffrey Story, Local 1034, $1,000.
• Kristen Feeley, Massapequa, N.Y., daughter of Karen Feeley, Local 1104, $3,000.
• Megan Kwasniak, Beacon, N.Y., daughter of Aleksander Kwasniak, Local 1105, $1,000.
• Patrick Stanislaus, Chesapeake, Va., son of Raymond Stanislaus, Local 2202, $500.
• Rebecca Schreiber, Kirtland, Ohio, member, Local 4340, $500.
• Kristin Gill, Oak Creek, Wis., daughter of Michael Gill, Local 4603, $1,500.
• Joevanny Hernandez, Bolingbrook, Ill., member, Local 4252, $1,000.
• Rebecca Poulson, Madison, Wis., daughter of Jack Poulson, Local 4630, $1,000.
• John Sullivan, Sallisaw, Okla., son of Stephen Sullivan, Local 6012, $1,000.
• Tiffany Woodward, Abilene, Texas, daughter of Jeffrey Banks, Local 6186, $1,000.
• Christopher Loyd, San Antonio, Texas, son of Gary Loyd, Local 6128, $500.
• Kathleen Volker, St. Louis, Mo., spouse of Michael Volker Sr., Local 14616, $1,000.
• Jessica Vaughn, Highlands Ranch, Colo., daughter of Diane Vaughn, Local 7777, $1,000.
• Chris Nelson, St. Paul, Minn., son of Wallace Nelson, Local 37002, $1,000.