Daniel Derramas, son of AFSCME NJ Local 2273 Member Joan Derramas, won the 2017 AFSCME Family Scholarship award. His award-winning essay highlights the vital his mother’s work plays for her patients at Preakness Healthcare Center and the surrounding community.

As a summer volunteer, Daniel said, “I had the privilege of watching my mother work with an elderly resident who was having a bad day and became angry towards my mother. In return, my mother only showed the highest respect towards the resident, talked to the resident until he calmed down, and the problem was resolved.” He recognized that her work was hard, but she had the ability to improve lives, one incident at a time.

The AFSCME NJ family applauds Daniel for his award and wishes him well on his next endeavor after graduating from Hasbrouck Heights High School this spring.