Union Plus 2007 Scholarship Winners

Charles A. White, ATU Local 689

Charles A. White of Upper Marlboro, MD, whose stepfather Roy E. Jenkins, Sr. is a retired member of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, has been selected as one of the winners of the 2007 Union Plus Scholarship awards. He will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Charles White knows his family gave him everything they could. When his mother married his stepfather seven years ago, it created a big blended family with six children. The parents taught all the children to strive for success, and helped lead the way. "They invested in our academic education, music lessons, instruments and summer camps," Charles says.

With six children, there isn't much money to pay for college. So Charles has been giving his all, pursuing achievement and opportunity in every way he can. He studied music, art and science in high school, took extra classes, volunteered and did community service, played three instruments—and when it came time to start college, he undertook the challenging double major of mechanical engineering and musical composition.

Charles is thankful his stepfather came into his life, and thankful for the union benefits. Today Charles views education as an opportunity to advance his career and help his family, too. Of his five brothers and sisters, Charles says, "We feel that we are well-rounded children who can positively contribute to society."

Karen L.S. Nakaoka, AFA-CWA Local 54

Karen L.S. Nakaoka of Honolulu, HI, a member of the Association of Flight Attendants-Communications Workers of America (AFA-CWA) Local 54, has been selected as one of the winners of the 2007 Union Plus Scholarship awards.

Every winner had a story to share. In her application, Karen Nakaoka wrote of a need to educate young people about the importance of unions and collective bargaining. It's a need she experienced firsthand when she talked to a young person who seemed unaware of how much union wages and benefits had meant to her. That young person was her own stepdaughter.

Her stepdaughter didn't pursue a Union Plus scholarship for herself because, Karen says, "she didn't realize that she had benefited from being a member of a union family... It opened my eyes to the great need to educate the next generation of the absolute necessity of continued organizing and strengthening the labor movement."

"My education will provide me with the skill and knowledge to be an advocate for our members," says Karen, who is pursuing a degree in human services that, she says, will help her work "toward protecting and improving benefits in an area that management usually targets first." A $750 Union Plus Scholarship will help her achieve her goals.

Benjamin Stepner, AFM Local 935

Benjamin Stepner of Newton, MA, whose parents are both members of Boston Musicians Association Local 935 (American Federation of Musicians), has been selected as one of the winners of the 2007 Union Plus Scholarship awards. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Benjamin, son of Daniel Stepner and Laura Jeppesen, knew he wanted to be a jazz musician when he was 8. There was just something in the way the music made his spirit soar. He knew he wanted to share the experience he calls "transcendence" with others.

In the 10 years since then, Benjamin has found many opportunities to do exactly that. "I have played for causes as diverse as the World Food Program, the Iraqi National Symphony and township schools of South Africa," he says.

One of his most memorable experiences is playing at a nursing home and the way his rendition of "Body and Soul" touched the spirit of an elderly woman sitting next to him. "I will never play it again without remembering her," he says. "It was a spontaneous, wordless communication, entirely in the spirit of jazz."

Benjamin has learned a lot about what it means to be a musician — and how important union representation is. "Now that I have turned 18," he says, "I plan to join our local."

Kelly N. Rebkovich, UMWA Local 2232

Kelly N. Rebkovich of Bluefield, VA, whose father is a member of Mine Workers (UMWA) Local 2232, has been selected as one of the winners of the 2007 Union Plus Scholarship awards. She will receive a scholarship award of $1,000.

"Two of my grandfathers, two of my great-grandfathers and several uncles were all miners and UMWA members," Kelly Rebkovich boasts. "In fact, my paternal grandfather was involved in organizing and at one point he was fired and evicted from company housing."

Miners have come a long way since then, and so has the Rebkovich family. Thanks to the hard work of her parents and grandparents, and the opportunities afforded by their union pay and benefits, Kelly plans to become a doctor.

Kelly's father, Steven Rebkovich, now is retired after more than 20 years in the mines. And there are a lot of other retirees in the area. That reality has helped inspire Kelly. "I plan to practice medicine in my hometown, where currently there are no doctors. There are a number of elderly in town, many of whom do not have the resources to travel 30 or more minutes to see a physician."

"If I work hard and complete my education," Kelly adds, "I'll prove that a girl from a working-class family can be an asset and set an example for her friends and family."

Erik Valdmanis, UAN Local 1

Erik Valdmanis of Prior Lake, MN, whose mother is a member of United American Nurses (UAN) Local 1, has been selected as one of the winners of the 2007 Union Plus Scholarship awards.

Erik Valdmanis calls himself an "expensive child." Born with lots of medical disabilities, he required multiple surgeries — and he also has survived a serious car accident brought on by one of his seizures. He calculates his medical care has cost more than $1 million so far.

If not for his mother's job, Erik isn't sure he would have survived. "Really, all of this is made possible because of my mother, Barbara Valdmanis, being a union nurse. She has supported our family for almost 30 years this way and that is why our needs have been met. She carries our family's health and dental insurance."

Erik will tell you about his many medical challenges if you ask him. But otherwise, he's too busy moving ahead with his life to worry much about them. He goes to college. He volunteers with children. He traveled to the Gulf Coast to help families devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and he's looking forward to doing it again. And then there's music, church, the campus auto club, Boy Scout activities and the career he's looking forward to as a juvenile probation officer.

Erik knows his care has been expensive. But you can't put a price on the security that comes from growing up in a household with health insurance. Because of his mother's union job, says Erik, "I am optimistic, determined and motivated to succeed."

Jamie L. Freiermuth, TWU Local 252

Jamie L. Freiermuth of Shirley, NY, whose mother is a member of Transport Workers (TWU) Local 252, has been selected as one of the winners of the 2007 Union Plus Scholarship awards. She will receive a scholarship award of $2,000.

When Jamie Freiermuth was a senior in high school, she learned firsthand that standing up for your rights as a union worker takes courage. Her mother, Susan Kupferman, a union school bus driver, was on strike — and the community was divided.

"The teachers, union members themselves, took the side of the drivers," Jamie remembers. Most of the parents were not sympathetic. Some were downright nasty. People would approach my mother outside our house and yell or curse at her. Our school superintendent at the time released a letter slandering the drivers, calling them selfish, greedy, lazy and uncaring."

It wasn't easy watching her mother, whose husband passed away, being put through such an ordeal. But Jamie came to understand that a principle was at stake, one even higher than the reasonable pay and benefits they were seeking. "They were exercising a fundamental American right," she says.

Her mother's hard work and courage has helped drive Jamie. She's concluding her third year of college and thinking about becoming a doctor. She already knows the cure for what ails America — brave workers who stand together and fight for their rights.

Shannon Walker, NATCA

Shannon Walker of Purcellville, VA, whose father Michael Walker is a member of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), has been selected as one of the winners of the 2007 Union Plus Scholarship awards. She will receive a $4,000 scholarship.

Shannon Walker has a résumé to make any high school student proud: first in her class, multiple awards and impressive community service projects. "I have taken the highest levels of courses available to me," she says. "I have also taken advantage of extra academic and leadership opportunities."

It seems like the accomplishments of an ambitious individual. That's why it may be surprising to learn that Shannon's ambitions don't include the traditional "corporate track." She'd like to study medicine and use her language skills with an international humanitarian organization. "Giving back has become an integral part of my life," she says, "and will continue to play an active role in my future."

Her $4,000 Union Plus Scholarship will help Shannon achieve her goals.

Brandon Tomlinson, IUPA Local 101

Brandon Tomlinson of Omaha, NE, whose father is a member of the International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A.) Local 101, has been selected as one of the winners of the 2007 Union Plus Scholarship awards.

The dean of students at Brandon Tomlinson's university says he is among the "best of the best." But that's not too surprising, because Brandon is the son of one of his hometown's best and brightest — union police officer Richard Tomlinson, Jr. His mother, a teacher, is also a union member.

"My parents and their union affiliations," Brandon says, "have had a profound impact on my career aspirations. As the son of a police officer, I understand the importance and have a tremendous amount of respect for the job. On a daily basis, he makes a significant impact on the lives of others."

Brandon is hoping to have his own impact on the lives of others. Having been chosen student body president, he is considering a career in politics. With his major in mechanical engineering, he also aspires to influence the development of new and exciting technologies. Whatever direction he goes, however, his parents' example will continue to lead him. "As I follow the path to meeting my own career goals," he says, "I do so with the values instilled in me by my hardworking parents." A $500 Union Plus Scholarship will help Brandon achieve his goals.

Jonathan Helmick, IUE-CWA Local 717

Jonathan Helmick of Bristolville, OH, whose mother is a member of IUE-CWA Local 717, has been selected as one of the winners of the 2007 Union Plus Scholarship awards. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

"I miss you Jonathan," read the handwritten letter from the fifth grader. "I asked Santa to give you a new brain. I miss your lessons. Doug."

Jonathan Helmick probably never dreamed his students would be wishing for a new brain for him. But he also never imagined he'd have a brain aneurysm two weeks shy of his 23rd birthday.

The children's good wishes helped pull Jonathan through. So did the excellent health coverage his mother, Linda Helmick, was able to provide for him thanks to her union job. Says Jonathan, "My relationship with the union is one that has not only affected my life, but kept me alive."

Today Jonathan is pursuing further education so that he can continue his great love — teaching — by becoming a music instructor. "I have found my niche in life," he says. Thanks to his family and friends in the union (who donated much of the equipment needed for his recovery), he's also found a second chance at life.