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Since 1992, the Union Plus Scholarship program has helped make possible the educational dreams of students representing more than 13 million working families. The scholarships are presented annually to union members or members of their family who want to begin or continue their secondary education. The programs top $4,000 award went to eight students, while 80 students attending four-year institutions received awards ranging from $500 to $3,000. Thirteen students attending community colleges and trade schools received scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000.

This years IBEW award recipients are:

Zachary Hale (son of Raymond Hale, Local 357, Las Vegas, Nevada, $4,000);

Kaydee Caraway (daughter of Joe Caraway, Local 1547, Anchorage, Alaska, $1,000);

William Duclo (son of Wiley Duclo, Local 2088, Cocoa Beach, Florida, $1,000);

Nicholas Hill (son of Stephan Hill, Local 50, Richmond, Virginia, $1,000);

Tiarney Ritchwood (daughter of Mary Ritchwood, Local 827, East Windsor, New Jersey, $1,000);

Deega Kosar-Tijani (member of Local 46, Seattle, Washington, $750);

Kathy Kracht (wife of Harry Kracht, Local 146, Decatur, Illinois, $500);

Monica Rist (daughter of Robert Rist, Sr., Local 1, St. Louis, Missouri, $500);

and Rose Slattery (daughter of Phil Slattery, Local 388, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, $500).

Each scholarship winner demonstrated exceptional achievement and commitment to service, as well as an appreciation of the value of union membership. (See Related Stories/Links.)

According to the judges, the caliber of students this year made the selection process very challenging. "The students are from diverse backgrounds, and as a whole, they received top SAT scores, were well rounded in their studies and extracurricular activities, and they understood the value of working families and union membership," noted the judges. Representatives of the following organizations judged the applications: the American Association of Community Colleges, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the United Negro College Fund.

The Scholarship Application Process

In addition to demonstrating academic ability, applicants submitted an essay of no more than 500 words describing their career goals, detailing their relationship with the labor movement and explaining why they are deserving of a union scholarship.

The program is open to members (and their spouses and dependent children) of unions that participate in any Union Plus program. Individuals must be accepted into an accredited college or university, community college or recognized technical or trade school at the time the award is issued. The program is funded and administered by Union Privilege and Household Credit Services.

2003 Applications

Applications for the 2003 awards will be available in September 2002. To download the application from the Union Privilege web site, go to www.unionplus.org. Or, send a postcard with your name, return address, telephone number and international union affiliation to: UnionPlus Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 34800, Washington, D.C. 20043-4800.

The application deadline is January 31, 2003. Recipients names for the 2003 program will be announced May 31, 2003.

IBEW Family Member Union Plus Scholarship Winners

Zachary Hale, a high school senior with a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) and SAT score of 1550, will attend Harvard University and double major in economics and philosophy. Hale is described by his teachers as a consummate scholar and has won many academic awards. He is a member of the National Honors Society and Amnesty International, and a National Merit Finalist. He won the Clark County Debate Championship 2000-2001 and was a Presidential Scholar nominee. Dedicated to his academic career, Hale is also serious about activism. "I am a participant in civil rights, civil liberties, workers rights, political activities and events," he says. Zachary is the son of IBEW member Raymond Hale, Local 357, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kaydee Caraway, a sophomore attending Central Washington University with a 3.8 GPA, is majoring in family and consumer sciences with a minor in leisure services. Named one of Whos Who Among American High School Students, she is not only a consummate student but also exhibits a wide range of skills and interests, including photography, riflery, hiking and dog mushing. "Unions have been the backbone of the American workers interests, helping to ensure a standard of treatment and fairness," Caraway said. Kaydee is the daughter of IBEW member Joe Caraway, Local 1547, Anchorage, Alaska.

William Duclo, a high school senior with a 3.3 GPA, has not yet settled upon a college. He was chosen from nearly 2,000 students to receive the 2002 Disney "Doers and Dreamers" award. Duclo has battled epilepsy but his medical situation has not affected his spirit, his desire or ability to succeed. "I plan on attending law school," said Duclo, who comes from a long line of union members. "I think the union is the backbone of the country." William is the son of IBEW member Wiley Duclo, Local 2088, Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Nicholas Hill, a high school senior with a 3.76 GPA, will attend Christopher Newport University this fall and plans to major in business administration. Hill is a National Honors Society member. He worked his way through the ranks of the Boy Scouts of America to become an Eagle Scout. "I have observed the many benefits of being a union member," said Hill, whose father is a 20-year IBEW member. Nicholas is the son of IBEW member Stephan Hill, Local 50, Richmond, Virginia.

Tiarney Ritchwood, a high school senior with a 3.99 GPA, is a National Honors Society member. She intends to major in biology on her way to becoming a doctor. In addition to her academic achievements, Ritchwood is a member of the math and chemistry clubs, a participant in the chemistry olympics and a member of the National Urban League.

She has not decided where she wants to go to college. Ritchwood says her mother, an IBEW member since 1985, inspires her to succeed academically. "Professionally, I am most interested in medicine. I am determined to become an obstetrician/gynecologist." Tiarney is the daughter of IBEW member Mary Ritchwood, Local 827, East Windsor, New Jersey.

Deega Kosar-Tijani, a member of IBEW Local 46 (Seattle, Washington) since 1995, is a freshman at Tacoma Community College, maintaining a 3.9 GPA while majoring in public relations. In 1999 Kosar-Tijani graduated from the Washington State Electrical Apprenticeship Program and passed the journeyman electrical licensing exam on the first try. Unfortunately, said Kosar-Tijani, "my plans to become a world-class electrician came to an end when I injured my hands in an accident on the job. I am now re-educating myself in a field that requires minimal hand usage." In 1999 and 2000, she was selected to represent Local 46 at the National Electrical Workers Minority Caucus. "I have demonstrated my ability to excel, to overcome adversity and to actively take a stand for diversity," Kosar-Tijani said.

Kathy Kracht is a freshman at Richland Community College with a 3.5 GPA. Her major is elementary education and she is a deans list student. Kracht served as president of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary from 1999-2001, when she was named senior vice president. "My interest in computer education began at the local elementary school while serving on the school board," Kracht said. "We could not locate a teacher for elementary-level computer education. Thus I decided to work toward an elementary education degree with an emphasis in computers." Kathy is the wife of IBEW member Harry Kracht, a 38-year member of Local 146, Decatur, Illinois.

Monica Rist is a high school senior with a 4.6/5.0 GPA. Planning to major in elementary education, Rist will attend Olney Central College, where she has already acquired a semesters worth of credits. An All-American Scholar and one of Whos Who Among American High School Students, Rist is a six-time National Honor Roll member. "Not only will my father be proud of my personal accomplishment as the first in the family to complete college," Rist said, "but also proud of the fact that union efforts helped to make it happen." Monica is the daughter of IBEW member Robert Rist, Sr., Local 1, St. Louis, Missouri.

Rose Slattery, a high school senior planning to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, currently has a 4.0 GPA. She is at the top of her graduating class of 681 students. Slattery, who is a National Honors Society member, Spanish Honors Society member and three-time recipient of her high schools highest honor award, has not decided what her major will be in college. She is certain, however of her career goals. "As a strong union supporter, I intend on maximizing my abilities by becoming a lawyer to fight for and support the organized workers of this nation," she said. Rose is the daughter of IBEW member Phil Slattery, Local 388, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

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