Please note that a full list of 2024 SMART sheet metal scholarship winners is available here, and information on 2025 scholarships is available here.
The following essay by Gwen Burbridge, Local 91, was selected as 2024’s best scholarship entry essay:
Growing up in a union household has provided me with a lot of opportunities that others have not had, and I feel extremely grateful. My dad is a hard-working member of the sheet metal workers union, which has provided our family with a steady income, good health insurance, a sense of community, and a strong set of ethics.
Having a steady income meant that when I was growing up, we never had to worry about how we were going to afford the basic necessities, and I knew that I could participate in extra activities without it being a financial burden on the family. As a child, I was able to play travel sports which required equipment, hotel stays, and travel expenses. I was able to take art classes and Spanish classes as a child. Our family takes yearly vacations, and I’ve had the opportunity to visit sixteen different National Parks and twenty-three different states. I’ve also visited a few out-of-town union halls too, so my dad can add to his T-shirt collection!
Most importantly, my dad’s income allowed my mom to stay home with us when we were little, giving us a strong foundation in our most formative years. My dad’s union wages also paid for my mom to go back to school when we were older so she could start a new career as a teacher, making her a union member too.
Personally, I am thankful for the amazing health insurance that comes as a union benefit. While I don’t remember it, I was born with a birth defect that eventually required surgery at age two. My parents always talk about how the doctors ran the tests needed to discover what most doctors would have missed had I been underinsured. I’ve also had regular dental check ups and braces while knowing that quite a few of my peers had to set up payment plans for theirs because they didn’t have the insurance.
As a competitive multi-sport athlete, I’ve incurred my fair share of injuries over the years. I’ve watched some of my teammates’ parents tell them they had to wait to be seen by a doctor, or couldn’t afford a co-pay. This has never been a consideration for my parents, and when they knew I was injured, they didn’t hesitate to take me to the doctor. I had ACL and meniscus surgery in June, and the surgery and weekly physical therapy benefits have been outstanding. I have been to some of the best doctors and specialists in my area, and I can trust that decisions regarding my health are never based on financial decisions, but based on what is truly best for my health and well-being.
Another thing I love about being part of a union family is the sense of community I feel. We frequently attend events such as the Labor Day Parade, and local hockey or baseball games sponsored by the union. I can feel a sense of pride when I attend these events from both union members and their extended families. I’ve gotten to know other kids my age whose parents are also sheet metal workers, and made some new friendships along the way.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to appreciate the dinnertime discourse and discussion about topics in the news. We have family discussions about the importance of fighting for workers’ rights and fair pay, and how your vote matters when it comes to these important issues. One of the first items I checked off of my to-do list when I turned eighteen last month was to register to vote so my voice could also be heard. I plan to study business marketing in college with a minor in nonprofit leadership and development so I can continue to advocate for those who are underemployed, underinsured, and not receiving the fair treatment they deserve from their employers.
My experience as a union family member has set me up for a lifetime of success. I have been provided with the academic and social opportunities needed to be successful in college and I’ve had high quality medical care to ensure I was living a fulfilling and healthy life. I’ve developed a strong sense of respect for my community, and the ethics to do what is right. I have no doubt this strong foundation built on union values will take me far in life.