2025 Teamsters Local 455 Steven P. Vairma Scholarship Winners

Teamsters Local 455 is pleased to announce the 2025 Steven P. Vairma Scholarship winners and wish them success as they begin their college careers. 

The Vairma Scholarship Fund, established in honor of retired Teamsters Local 455 Secretary-Treasurer Steven Vairma, provides financial assistance to the children and grandchildren of Teamsters Local 455 members with 12 months of consecutive membership in good standing. Recipients are based on outstanding and complete applications. 

"Teamsters Local 455 is carrying on Steve Vairma's commitment to education -- not just of our members, but also our members' children and grandchildren," said Dean Modecker, Teamsters Local 455 Secretary-Treasurer. "We cannot wait to see how these young men and women use what they've learned to change our world for the better." 

Said Vairma: "The union movement lifts working families and gives us the collective power to live comfortable, rewarding, dignified lives. Helping Teamsters give their children the gift of an education, helping those children begin the journey into adulthood, is a natural extension what we do and what we believe."

Aquina Bowers, $10,000 Scholarship Winner

Aquina Bowers is the daughter of Safeway Beverage Teamster Joaquin Bowers. She plans to major in Communications at Regis University.

Sabrina Yusuf, $5,000 Scholarship Winner

Sabrina Yusuf is the daughter of Hertz Rental Car Teamster Abdalla Omer. She plans to study biochemistry/pre-pharmacy at Colorado State University.

Dante Vigil, $5,000 Scholarship Winner

Dante Vigil is the son of UPS Teamster Gary Vigil. He plans to study mechanical engineering at Colorado Mesa University.

Joe Smith IV, $2,000 Scholarship Winner

Joe Smith IV is the son of Teamsters Local 455 Business Agent, Joe Smith III. He plans to study marine biology at Maine Maritime Academy.