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IUE-CWA Scholarship Winners

Sara Benischek

  • Local 444
  • Paul Jennings Scholarship: $3,000 Award
  • Daughter of Vincent Benischek
  • Plans to study sports medicine
  • "My goal is to help enrich young minds and positively influence their future choices.  This is something I credit to my parents' presence, their impact on my thinking and their example of service to others."

Quila Pettus

  • Local 913
  • Sal Ingrassia Scholarship: $2,500 Award
  • Daughter of Florence Leonard
  • Plans to study business management
  • "The labor movement impacted the quality of my life as a child by allowing my parents to make a decent income which allowed me to receive a better education."

Jesse Stachovich

  • Local 1140
  • Bruce Van Ess Scholarship: $2,500 Award
  • Son of Richard Stachovich
  • Plans to study business computer information systems
  • "Going on strike would be almost impossible without a union.  With a union there is a sense of unity and people realize they are not alone in the struggle."

Kelsey Bauer

  • Local 800
  • David J. Fitzmaurice Scholarship: $2,000 Award
  • Daughter of Ricky Bauer
  • Plans to study mechanical engineering
  • "I can support unions by buying American products.  I can give back to others for the wonderful life my parents were able to give me because of the labor movement."

Thomas Wakefield

  • Local 717
  • George Hutchens Scholarship: $1,500 Award
  • Son of Robert Wakefield
  • Plans to study mathematics
  • "As a resident of Northeastern Ohio, I see the positive impact of the labor movement on the lives of workers.  The labor movement is largely responsible for the rise of the middle class in my area."

Jillian Duncan

  • Local 798
  • Robert L. Livingston Scholarship: $1,500 Award
  • Daughter of Billy Duncan
  • Plans to study criminal justice
  • "The union has created a strong bond between people of different races, ethnicities, sex and age.  I consider unions important to our community, work force and to myself."

Robert Miles

  • Local 717
  • Robert L. Livingston Scholarship: $1,500 Award
  • Son of Patsy Kneisly
  • Plans to study nursing
  • "The union gives me collective bargaining.  This involves my pay, job security, insurance and fair work environment.  Also the union helps in political action which allows my voice to be heard."

Steven Baker

  • Local 767
  • James B. Carey Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Son of William Baker
  • Plans to study business
  • "If we don't stand together as Americans our jobs will soon be shipped overseas.  Corporate America should see that if workers aren't paid a reasonable wage, their products will become worthless."

Vitaly Bord

  • Local 1776
  • James B. Carey Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Son of Elena Minayev
  • Plans to study mathematics and economics
  • "By fighting for the plight of workers and helping to establish ideas such as holidays, a minimum wage and the weekend, unions have been instrumental at making our country more productive."

Kristina Frech

  • Local 717
  • James B. Carey Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Daughter of John Frech
  • Plans to study exercise science/physical therapy
  • "My family and I thank the union for staying strong.  If it weren't for the labor movement there would be no one left at Delphi.  They are the ones saving jobs for people."

Aaron Joseph

  • Local 717
  • James B. Carey Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Son of Mitchell Joseph
  • Plans to study business
  • "My family depended on the union to earn enough to live comfortably, have job security and workplace safety to protect my father, as well as insurance to cover any medical expenses."

Megan Lengyel

  • Local 648
  • James B. Carey Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Daughter of Timothy Lengyel
  • Plans to study nursing
  • "Being part of a union gives workers a say in what goes on in their workplace, as well as what happens to them.  In the future, I hope to be part or a union."

Francesco Pellegrino

  • Local 444
  • James B. Carey Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Son of Francesco Pellegrino
  • Plans to study business
  • "While my life and the life of my family as a whole have greatly benefited from the hard work of many labor negotiators, I am saddened to see that union enrollments have generally decreased."

Jennifer Pier

  • Local 408
  • James B. Carey Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Daughter of JoAnn Pier
  • Plans to study biochemistry
  • "Because of the union I will be able to fulfill my dream of going to college and becoming a doctor.  I owe the union for giving me a bright and positive future."

Summer Slinker

  • Local 701
  • James B. Carey Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Daughter of Garry W. Slinker
  • Plans to study biochemistry
  • "All of the benefits that the union helps my parents achieve at the workplace pass on to me in some way.  My parents' good wages have always meant that I could lead a comfortable and secure life."

Seth Taylor

  • Local 798
  • James B. Carey Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Son of Douglas Wombold
  • Plans to study civil engineering
  • "Without the labor movement I probably would not have the opportunity to go to college.  I would have to work to help support my family."

Eileen Lai

  • Local 775
  • Willie Rudd Scholarship: $1,000 Award
  • Daughter of Cheng Lai
  • Study plans to study pre-medicine
  • "Instead of being forced to work when I was six, I started school.  Because of the labor movement, I have had the chance to enjoy my childhood, grow up properly and have a hope for the future."