Since 2000, the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) has been awarding college scholarships to the sons and daughters of Teamsters. The Fund relies on the generosity and support of Teamsters local unions, Joint Councils and friends.
In 2023, the JRHMSF awarded $1.2 million in academic and vocational/training programs, including awards to 20 BLET families. The fund awards $10,000 academic and $1,000 “bootstrap” academic scholarships plus awards to students pursuing vocational/training programs.
The 2023 BLET winners are as follows:
$10,000 Academic scholarship winners:
- Matthias Druhl, child of Howard J. Druhl of BLET Division 646 (Savannah, Ga.), a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer;
- Grace Grandel, child of Douglas E. Grandel of BLET Division 502 (Kansas City, Mo.), a BNSF locomotive engineer;
- Ryan Norden, child of Michael D. Norden of BLET Division 153 (Garrett, Ind.), a CSX locomotive engineer;
- Nathan Reese, child of Perry E. Reese of BLET Division 508 (Fulton, Ky.), a CN-IC locomotive engineer; and
- Hayleigh Smith, child of Horace K. Smith of BLET Division 262 (Missoula, Mont.), a BNSF-MRL locomotive engineer.
$1,000 (Bootstrap) academic scholarship winners:
- Ryan Bates, child of Donald Bates of BLET Division 32 (Aurora, Ill.), a BNSF locomotive engineer;
- Lexie Branham, child of Christopher M. Branham of BLET Division 85 (Columbia, S.C.), a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer;
- Savannah Chance, child of Bobby Ray Chance of BLET Division 285 (Thayer, Mo.), a BNSF locomotive engineer;
- Kevin Hanson, child of Robert Hanson of BLET Division 269 (Long Island, N.Y.), a Long Island Rail Road locomotive engineer;
- Avery Hornbeck, child of Richard S. Hornbeck of BLET Division 110 (Ludlow, Ky.), a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer;
- Connor McGuire, child of James E. McGuire of BLET 489 (Covington, Ky.), a CSX locomotive engineer;
- Sarah Molitor, child of Paul Molitor of BLET Division 131 (Chicago, Ill.), a Metra locomotive engineer;
- Tiffany Paretti, child of Jeff Paretti of BLET Division 373 (Trenton, N.J.), a NJ Transit locomotive engineer;
- Charlotte Samuels, child of Charles A. Samuels of BLET Division 143 (Manassas, Va.), a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer;
- Brylie Koopman, child of Dennis A. Koopman of BLET Division 775 (Victoria, Texas), a Union Pacific locomotive engineer;
- Jaida Sampson, child of Noel A. Sampson of BLET Division (Atlanta, Ga.), a CSX locomotive engineer;
- Elijah Hiser, child of Evan C. Hiser of BLET Division 98 (Lincoln, Neb.), a BNSF locomotive engineer); and
- Emma Spalding, child of Travis O. Spalding of BLET Division 28 (Tucson, Ariz.), a Union Pacific locomotive engineer.
Vocational winners, ranging up to $2,000:
- Kinsey Baldwin, child of Monte D. Baldwin of BLET Division 179 (Parsons, Kan.), a Union Pacific locomotive engineer; and
- Rachael Morgan, child of Timmy L. Morgan of BLET Division 86 (Moberly, Mo.), a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer.
About the scholarships
The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund offers college and vocational scholarships to the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamster members (including the BLET, BMWED, GCC and TCRC). Academic scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000 for high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year college or university. The training/vocational program provides awards of up to $2,000 for use at community colleges and trade schools. The application process for next year will begin in November 2023, and the deadline each year is typically in early March. For more information, please visit the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund website (www.jrhmsf.org).