This year the UWUA launched a scholarship program which supports children of UWUA members as they pursue trade school or college opportunities. The scholarship is open to any graduating high school senior who is the child of an active UWUA member. One $2,000 scholarship was granted in each of the union’s five regions. The program – which is a random drawing – offers equal opportunity to high school seniors regardless of their post-high school educational plans.
Region I – John Fahie
The son of Robert and Julianne Fahie of Hingham, MA, John is a graduate of Hingham High School. His dad is a 19-year member of Local 369 and works in inventory at Hingham Light. John is studying finance at Stone Hill College in Easton, MA. He played rugby in high school and is on the club team at Stone Hill. He’s active in the Hope Team, a philanthropic organization that does service work addressing homelessness and poverty. He’s traveling with Hope Team to both Phoenix and Peru in the first half of 2023 to work on special projects.
Region II – Belle Ellis
The daughter of Ronald “Zubby” Ellis, Belle is a graduate of Montour High School in McKees Rocks, PA, and is a recipient of the Penn State Provost Award for academic achievement. Her dad is a 23-year member of Local 433 who works as an assistant boat operator for the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (Alcosan) wastewater treatment plant. Belle is studying criminology at the Pennsylvania State University’s University Park campus, where she’s also active in Eclipse, which raises funds for the Penn State Dance Marathon, the largest student-run philanthropy in the country.
Region III – Noah Beaman
The son of Joshua Beaman, a member of Local 175, Noah is a graduate of Kettering Fairmont High School in Kettering, OH. He’s currently enrolled at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Region IV – Channyah Brickerson-Smith
The daughter of Raquel Brickerson and Channon Smith, Channyah is a graduate of Cass Technical High School, Detroit, MI, and the recipient of the Black Lives Matter Vanguard Scholarship. Both parents are members of Local 223 working for Detroit-based DTE. Channyah’s mom has worked in customer service for 7 years. Her dad has been a UWUA member in general field operations for nearly 18 years. Channyah is studying social work at Eastern Michigan University. After getting her bachelor’s degree, she plans on pursuing a master’s degree and then to work in child welfare.
Region V – Ashlynn Orosco
The daughter of Neil and Sarah Orosco, Ashlynn is a graduate of Rim of the World High School, Lake Arrowhead, CA, where she played varsity tennis and served as her senior class president. Her dad is a 20+ year member of Local 577 and works for the Lake Arrowhead Water District. Ashlynn is studying business administration on-line at the University of Phoenix. She works full-time while pursuing her studies and lives at home with her parents and three sisters, Katelynn, Irelynn, and Treslynn.