Salem's Gaughan Wins Teamsters Local 25 College Scholarship

BOSTON, MA — A Salem High School graduate is among the students recognized in Teamsters Local 25's 2026 college scholarship program.

Teamsters Local 25 said Brigette Gaughan of Salem received a scholarship through the union's annual program for children and grandchildren of members and retirees. She plans to attend Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences this fall. Gaughan is the daughter of Helio Leal, a Teamsters Local 25 retiree who worked as a Roadway driver.

Her award was part of a broader scholarship announcement that included 37 scholarships totaling $74,000, which Teamsters Local 25 described as the largest scholarship award announcement in the union's history.

The scholarships were presented during the union's May General Membership Meeting. This year's awards were made possible through the generosity and solidarity of Teamsters Local 25 members, and the ceremony included remarks from Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari.

“We have the strongest membership in the country and among the most generous when it comes to supporting the children of our members,” Mari said. “For these students, the support goes far beyond financial assistance. Our union has always believed in uplifting the next generation. Our message to the 2026 scholarship recipients is simple: your future is bright, and your Teamster family will be with you every step of the way.”

Teamsters Local 25 also thanked the companies and organizations that sponsored scholarship awards including Feinberg, Dumont & Brennan; HILB Group, Inc.; Regan Associates, Chartered; Keches Law Group; Regan Communications Group; the Teamsters Local 25 Retiree Chapter; the Teamsters Local 25 Hispanic Caucus; the Michael C. Halley Memorial; the Joseph C. Conlon Memorial; the Francis Ciccarelli Memorial; and the George Rodrigues Memorial.

Teamsters Local 25 has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funding since 2006 to support the educational goals of members' children and grandchildren. The union said it provides annual scholarships to help students pursue academic and career aspirations.

Teamsters Local 25 said it is the largest Teamsters union in New England and represents 13,000 workers.