Union Plus Scholarships for IBEW Families

August 7, 2013

Family members of IBEW members have been awarded scholarships worth $6,250 by the Union Plus Educational Fund. The grantees were among more than 100 winners, representing 36 unions who were awarded up to $4,000. They were chosen out of a pool of more than 5,300 applicants based on their academic performance, financial need and a 500-word essay describing their career goals and their relationship with the labor movement.

In announcing the awards, foundation officials made special mention of the dozens of grantees who were the children or grand-children of immigrants, highlighting the opportunities unions offer to new Americans and their families.

Electra Nassis

Yanni Nassis, for example, brought his family to the US from Greece and later became a member of New York Local 3. In her essay, his daughter Electra Nassis wrote that she would not have had the opportunity to go to college without the stability and opportunity her father found in the IBEW. Electra was awarded a $1,000 scholarship toward her goal of a degree in biomedical engineering.

Emily Krupa

The largest award --$2,000-- went to Emily Krupa of Oregon City, Ore. Her father, Dale Krupa, is a member of Portland Local 125. Emily is first in her class and captain of the lacrosse team and she plans to use the scholarship in her pursuit of a degree in statistics.

Aaryn Wilson

Aaryn Wilson of Minneapolis, Minn., won a $1,000 scholarship. His mother, Edith Washington, is a member of Minneapolis Local 292 and was the first black, female electrician in the state of Minnesota. Aaryn, who helped found his school’s urban garden, will be studying agriculture.

Amanda Bozin

Amanda Bozin of Torrance, Calif., has been awarded a $750 scholarship. Amanda’s essay traced her family’s path from economic instability into the middle class after her father, Vincent Bozin, became a member of Los Angeles, Local 18.

Justin Garcia

Justin Garcia of Fort Bragg, Calif., has been awarded a $750 scholarship. His father -- Dan Garcia, a member of Vacaville, Local 1245 – and his grandfather were members of the IBEW. Justin plans to study environmental science.

Emily Finkel of Massapequa Park, N.Y., whose father, Mark Finkel, is also a member of Local 3, has been awarded a $750 scholarship. She plans to pursue a career as a neonatal nurse practitioner.

The annual scholarship competition is open to union members and their spouses and children. The grants can be used to pay for coursework at two or four-year colleges or universities, community colleges and recognized technical or trade schools. Since its launch in 1992, more than 2,300 people have won grants worth more than $3.5 million.

Applications are already available at UnionPlus.org/Education for the 2014 competition and are due Jan. 31.