HOUSTON– Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Greater Houston, an association representing the interests of merit shop contractors and their employees, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 ABC Scholarship Foundation. Offered to college students pursuing a career in construction, the scholarships ABC Greater Houston annually provides are just some of the ways the association supports education and workforce development.
The selection of recipients for ABC’s 2021 Scholarship awards were made by ABC ELLITE Scholarship Committee members on Monday, March 15th. The selection committee included Adam Hudec (RSM US), Casey Kamerbeek (Fast Track Specialties), Iris Flores (TDIndustries), Julia Edwards (Gray Reed & McGraw), Peyton Burns (Holes Incorporated), Ranae Cochran (Adaptive Construction Solutions), Sarina Landers (Karsten Interior Services), Scott Stakes (Holes Incorporated), and Silvia Zurita (Synergen).
Twenty-one applications were submitted representing Texas A&M University, Prairie View A&M, The University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, and Houston Community College, with $22,500 of scholarships to award. Out of the twenty-one applicants, fifteen were disqualified for not meeting basic requirements. Thirteen students were selected to receive a 2021 scholarship.
The students who were selected include the following:
Ramiro Guevara, Texas A&M University
Steven (Jared) Valdez, Texas A&M University
Allyson Stokes, Texas A&M University
Ashton Blackstone, Texas A&M University
Melanie Montejano, Sam Houston State University
Molli Majors, Texas A&M University
Justin Babaahmadi, University of Houston
Casandra Garza, University of Houston
Mitchell Aitken, Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Krishna Massey, Sam Houston State University
Grant Hornung, Texas A&M University
Jennifer Ventura, University of Houston
Shantel Hood, Prairie View A&M
“I applied for this scholarship because it will help me achieve my long-term goals,” said Krishna “Kris” Massey, a student at the University of Houston and 2021 scholarship recipient. “I am to make a difference in my community, and this scholarship will be the aid I need when it comes to affording the education required to make that difference. I plan to pursue an internship with a major company to gain unique insights, obtain experience while assisting senior engineers, and receive invaluable feedback on my performance. After graduating from college, my goal is to be employed at a government organization or industrial enterprise to gain professional experience.”
To qualify for the ABC Scholarship, a candidate must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at a university or community college at the time of application. In addition, candidates are asked to provide two reference letters, transcript, copy of degree plan, and a typed essay. Applicants must meet certain criteria found in the scholarship application and be a full-time student with a grade point average of 2.75 or higher. Following submission, applications will be evaluated by the ABC Greater Houston Scholarship Committee.
To make a tax-deductible donation to the ABC Scholarship Foundation to help students pursue their dream of a career in construction, please visit www.abchouston.org/scholarship-fundraiser.
To learn more about ABC Greater Houston, please visit www.abchouston.org.
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Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 21,000 members. Locally, ABC Greater Houston was founded in 1969, and today serves several hundred commercial and industrial contractors, suppliers, and construction associates in the Greater Houston area. ABC helps members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abchouston.org.
