Washington, D.C. – Union Plus recently awarded $200,000 in scholarships to 209 students representing 42 unions, including four winners representing the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-IBT). This year’s group of scholarship recipients includes university, college, and trade or technical school students from 33 states, the District of Columbia, and one Canadian province. The BMWED-IBT winners are:

•       Nathaniel West Barker of Bayard, Nebraska. Barker, whose father, Cory Barker, is a member of BMWED-IBT Local 1108, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

•       Kaydence M. Burclaw of Rosholt, Wisconsin. Burclaw, whose father, Joseph Burclaw, is a member of BMWED-IBT Local 2931, has been awarded a $500 scholarship.

•       Katelyn Oliverson of Preston, Idaho. Oliverson, whose father, Michael Oliverson, is a member of BMWED-IBT Local 1402, has been awarded a $500 scholarship.

•       Jera Schuerman of De Witt, Nebraska. Schuerman, whose father, Bradley Schuerman, is a member of BMWED-IBT Local 1316, has been awarded a $500 scholarship.

“This year’s Union Plus Scholarship award winners are as inspirational as ever,” Union Plus President Mitch Stevens said. “We sincerely appreciate them sharing their incredible personal accomplishments and plans with us. We wish them all continued success, and we are proud to support their education.”

Meet Some of the 2024 BMWED-IBT Honorees

Nathaniel Barker

Bayard [Nebraska] Secondary School (BSS) (2024)

Nate plans to attend Western Nebraska Community College this fall to complete prerequisite courses before entering a mortuary science program. His career goal is to become a funeral director, and he plans to complete apprenticeships in the next few years. Nate is proud of his father’s BMWED-IBT membership, especially the benefits and community it brings. “BMWED-IBT was very supportive when my father was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Nate said. “They ensured that his job was available when he returned, and they helped him transition back from military life to railroad life. When my grandfather passed away, it was an eye-opening experience to see the flowers that came in from union members. It verified that fellow workers are like brothers and are always there when another needs them.”

BSS English teacher Holly Nolte said Nate consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and academic dedication. “Nate’s commitment to excellence is evident in the effort he puts into his work,” Nolte said. “He is diligent and exhibits a genuine passion for learning. Nate possesses outstanding interpersonal skills; he is incredibly outgoing, always eager to engage and contribute to the learning environment. His willingness to assist others is truly commendable; he is always available if others need help. Nate’s combination of academic excellence, strong work ethic, and exceptional character make me confident that he will excel in his future endeavors.”

Activities and honors: Bayard Public School Board student representative; National FFA Organization; FFA local chapter vice president; Western Trails Conference Honor Choir; BSS varsity cross country, track and field, wrestling; BSS varsity wrestling team captain; Eagle Scout; Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) Believers and Achievers award

Employment and volunteerism: Bridgman Funeral Home and Cremation Services; Bayard Federation Wrestling youth coach; various community service projects

Kaydence Burclaw

Wittenberg-Birnamwood [Wisconsin] High School (WBHS) (2024)

Kaydence plans to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison this fall and major in biochemistry. Her goal is to become an orthopedics physician assistant (PA), working for a private clinic and helping veterans. Kaydence was a WBHS laude graduate, and she earned multiple school and district awards and scholarships. She is a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Stevens Point [Wisconsin] Orthopedics, where she has shadowed PAs. Her father joined BMWED-IBT after detaching from the U.S. Marine Corps 12 years ago. “We are grateful that my dad is a BMWED-IBT member,” Kaydence said. “His membership has helped our family have a steady income and helped us enjoy a safer, healthier, and greater quality of life.”

WBHS English teacher Joanna Fradrich said Kaydence is hardworking and passionate. “One thing that I completely admire about Kaydence is how much she cares and how much energy and effort she gives to everything she does,” Fradrich said. “She is thoughtful to a fault, always does what she knows is best, and never takes shortcuts. Kaydence is someone on whom I would rely and give my absolute trust. I have no doubt that she will work hard and do her best in whatever career she pursues because that simply is who she is.”

Activities and honors: Rosholt Pioneers 4-H Club; National FFA Organization; 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) Leaders of America; National Honor Society; Polish Heritage Awareness Society; American Legion Auxiliary Post 509 junior member; WBHS math league; WBHS student senate; WBHS varsity volleyball team captain; Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA); Michigan Tech Women in Engineering Award; Heisman High School Scholar; Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Operation Round Up Scholar; Nueske Family Medical Science Scholar; Elwyn Remington Foundation Scholar; Garen Dodge Honors Scholar; Wittenberg Lions Club Scholar

Volunteerism: Iola Car Show Special Olympics fundraiser; Disabled Vets of America; local soup kitchen, homeless shelter; youth volleyball coach

Katelyn Oliverson

Utah State University

Preston [Idaho] High School (PHS) (2020)

Katelyn is an international business major at Utah State, where she is a member of the Huntsman School of Business Scholar Program. She earned an Associate of Science in general studies from Utah State in 2021 before an 18-month ecclesiastical service mission in Brazil. Katelyn, whose minor is Portuguese, returned to Utah State last fall and expects to graduate in December 2025. She hopes to pursue a doctorate in computational linguistics and wants to help U.S. companies expand their innovations and technologies abroad to bolster economic growth in those countries. “Successful communication is essential for a prosperous business, and my goal is to help break the language barrier for companies while also helping with language innovation,” Katelyn said.

Benjamin M. Blau, Ph.D., is the George S. Eccles Endowed Chair in Finances at the Huntsman School of Business. He taught Katelyn’s finance course last fall and described her as humble, hardworking, highly motivated, and mature. “Katelyn respects the academic process and has perspective about the importance of learning,” Blau said. “She showed an impressive ability to comprehend complex and quantitative concepts, and she was an outstanding asset in the classroom. Katelyn is incredibly bright and one of the finest students I’ve had here at Utah State.”

Activities and honors: PHS competitive ballroom dance; Distinguished Young Woman of Franklin County [Idaho]; Girl Scouts of America Gold Award; PHS valedictorian

Employment and volunteerism: Utah State Academic and Instructional Services; Alaska SeaLife Center internship; church online language tutor; Larsen-Sant Public Library

Learn More About the Union Plus Scholarship Program

The Union Plus Scholarship Program, now in its 33rd year, awards scholarships based on outstanding academic achievement, personal character, financial need, and commitment to the values of organized labor. The program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation.

Since starting the program in 1991, Union Plus has awarded more than $5.6 million in educational funding to more than 4,000 union members, spouses, and dependent children. Union Plus Scholarship awards are granted to students attending a two-year college, four-year college, graduate school, or recognized technical or trade school. The selection process is exceptionally competitive: 5,928 applications were received this year from 69 unions and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three U.S. territories, and four Canadian provinces.

Visit unionplus.org/scholarship for applications and benefit eligibility.

About Union Plus

Union Plus, founded by the AFL-CIO in 1986, uses the collective buying power of America’s 12.5 million union members to deliver top-quality benefits and services at competitive prices to working families. In addition to the scholarship program, Union Plus offers the College Program with exclusive tuition discounts, financial aid, and grants, providing union members and their families the opportunity to earn an affordable, online degree that fits their schedule, interests, career goals, and budget. Union Plus also provides a wide range of other money-saving programs, including exclusive everyday discounts on wireless service, travel, and more. Visit unionplus.org to explore Union Plus’s 30-plus benefits.