By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

The daughter of a Local 372 member is the winner of a Union Plus Scholarship. Elise Slaughter was one of 27 winners nationwide. She is the daughter of NYC Board of Education Employees Local 372 member Michelle Louis-Juste Slaughter, a Parent Coordinator at the Knowledge and Power Academy in Far Rockaway, Queens.

“I am very grateful for this AFSCME scholarship and I’m using it to help pay my tuition,” said Slaughter, who is entering her junior year at the University at Albany, SUNY, where she is enrolled in a five-year master’s degree program. “Union membership is important because who else is really fighting for working people?”

Slaughter maintains a 4.0 GPA. She enjoys writing, graphic design, and flying airplanes. A business and marketing major, Elise is an intern and certified agent at AFLAC’s Wall Street headquarters.

While attending the Manhattan Early College School for Advertising, one of New York City’s specialized high schools, Elise also earned 36 credits from Borough of Manhattan Community College. She graduated high school in 2020 with top grades, but due to the COVID pandemic, the school held no ceremony.

Additionally, Elise has volunteered at New York museums and traveled to Costa Rica to help build schools. Since middle school, she’s participated in U.S. Air Force cadet training and is working toward obtaining her private pilot’s license.

“This is a tremendous honor and recognition given to my Elise from the union,” Louis-Juste Slaughter said. “I don’t think it’s possible for a parent to be more proud and in awe of their child as I am with Elise. The accolades she’s received from DC 37 and AFSCME are heartwarming and sincerely appreciated.”

The Union Plus Scholarship program, sponsored by the Union Plus Education Foundation, offers eligible applicants from AFSCME and other unions help to defray education costs through one-time cash awards ranging from $500 to $4,000. Students may re-apply annually.

“I am truly proud to see one of our own recognized by AFSCME for her outstanding academic achievements and her community service,” said Shaun D. Francois I, President of both Local 372 and DC 37. “I am excited for Elise and the bright future she has ahead.”