Port Huron Grad Wins $2,000 Teamsters College Scholarship

A Port Huron high school graduate is heading to college with financial support that proves unions still invest deeply in the next generation.

Madelyn Suiter recently graduated from Port Huron Northern High School and received a $2,000 scholarship from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Scholarship Fund. She'll attend the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor this fall, following her dreams with a little less financial stress.

Madelyn's father, Michael Suiter, works at Frito Lay North America and belongs to Teamsters Local 337. That membership opened the door for his daughter to compete for one of 600 scholarships the fund awards each year.

The scholarship program doesn't rely on corporate donations. Instead, money comes entirely from Teamsters local unions, Joint Councils and member service providers. Employers aren't permitted to contribute, keeping the fund independent and member focused.

This isn't just a small pilot program. The Teamsters Scholarship Fund has awarded more than 1,600 scholarships over the past three years, helping thousands of working families afford higher education.

The Ripple Effect

The program reaches beyond traditional four-year college students. High school seniors, community college transfer students and those pursuing trade school or vocational education can all apply. The only requirement? Being the daughter, son or financial dependent of a Teamster member.

Teamsters Local 337, Madelyn's father's union, represents about 5,361 members across various industries. Each of those members has children and dependents who could benefit from this educational support.

While college costs continue climbing and student debt burdens millions of Americans, union-funded scholarship programs like this one offer real relief to working families. Every $2,000 award means fewer loans, less debt and more opportunity for kids whose parents work hard every day.

Madelyn's scholarship represents something bigger than one student's success. It shows what happens when workers band together and invest in their children's futures, creating pathways to education that might otherwise stay out of reach.