Fine Homebuilding and Keep Craft Alive, in its fourth year of partnership with SkillsUSA, is proud to announce this year’s #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship winners. Fourteen students studying in construction-related fields and pursuing continued education in trades across the United States received a $2,500 scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Selections for this program are based on completion of an application, a 300-word essay, and a letter of support from a teacher, administrator, SkillsUSA advisor, or educational/professional mentor. Submissions are reviewed by Fine Homebuilding’s editorial staff and winners are chosen based on merit.
Fine Homebuilding, along with support from its audience and corporate partners Pella Windows & Doors and Feeney, makes this annual investment to empower and encourage the next generation of young men and women to follow their passions for construction-related careers. Through its Keep Craft Alive program, Fine Homebuilding remains committed to igniting a resurgence of and appreciation for craft in residential design and construction, in an effort to inspire the building of the best homes possible, in the best way possible.
“It’s these students who will not only go on to fulfill much-needed and rewarding careers in construction, but who also show the promise of leadership, and that is what is needed most in the industry right now—leaders on the job site and leaders who develop competitive businesses centered on professionalism and the well-being of the craftspeople in the field.”- Rob Yagid, Executive Director
“We are thrilled to be able to support another class of #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship recipients at time when the residential building market needs them the most. The demand for qualified and skilled building professionals remains high in order to keep pace with the market,” says Keep Craft Alive executive director Rob Yagid. “It’s these students who will not only go on to fulfill much-needed and rewarding careers in construction, but who also show the promise of leadership, and that is what is needed most in the industry right now—leaders on the job site and leaders who develop competitive businesses centered on professionalism and the well-being of the craftspeople in the field.”
The 2020 #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship winners are:
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Electrical: Masen Holmes, Utah; Paige Wooden, Michigan; Paul Edward Mobley, Kentucky; Jeremy Hartt, Wyoming
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Carpentry: Wesley Boyd, Alabama; Annellise Chavez, Texas; Aliana Davis, Kentucky; Joseph McDaniel, Alabama; Wayson Lee, California
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HVAC: Jonathan Lockwood, Idaho; Seth Hellings, New York; Eli Smart, Texas
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Masonry: Jennifer Key, North Carolina
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Construction Management: Zebulon Floyd, Georgia
For Fine Homebuilding editorial director Brian Pontolilo, awarding the #KeepCraftAlive Scholarships has become an annual highlight “There’s been a lot of talk about the skills gap—a shortage of professionals in residential construction—and other labor-related issues for a long time now,” said Pontolilo. “What we’ve learned through our work on Keep Craft Alive is that what’s actually missing is opportunity; opportunity for training and for legitimate careers in the trades. That’s what we can help to create, and we’re grateful that so many folks in the Fine Homebuilding community including our readers and our advertisers agree with us. These scholarships come from their generosity and go to a bunch of very smart and talented young people who have already earned them with their hard work and dedication.”
About Keep Craft Alive
The Keep Craft Alive program was developed by Fine Homebuilding in 2015 as an initiative to address the growing skills gap in the construction industry, to provide educational support for those passionate about the trades and to celebrate those who execute their work at the highest level. To learn more, visit keepcraftalive.org.
About Fine Homebuilding
Fine Homebuilding is the most trusted and authoritative resource for the residential construction and remodeling community. We uniquely source our content from the most qualified and talented builders and designers in the industry to empower a global workforce with the ability to create the most advanced homes possible. Driven by the ethos that exceptional homes are possible and that craftsmanship is an honorable and worthy pursuit, Fine Homebuilding has become the brand for skilled practitioners, deeply knowledgeable enthusiasts, industry influencers, and forward-thinking companies who are collectively committed to shaping the way we build. For more, visit FineHomebuilding.com.
About Pella
Pella Corporation designs and manufacturers windows and doors for residential homes and commercial applications. The company is headquartered in Pella, Iowa, and employs more than 7,000 people with 17 manufacturing locations and more than 200 showrooms across the country. For more information, call 888-847-3552 or visit https://pressroom.pella.com. Follow Pella on Facebook, YouTube, Houzz, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
About Feeney
Feeney, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality architectural products that enhance the spaces where people live, work, and play. Feeney residential and commercial products for exterior and interior applications include CableRail stainless steel cable kits, Quick-Connect® auto-locking cable fittings, DesignRail® aluminum railing systems with optional LED lighting, DesignRail® Panel Infill, stainless steel Architectural Rods, Awning Kits, and the Trellis Collection. Since 1948, Oakland, California-based Feeney has been committed to providing construction professionals and DIY homeowners with innovative, easy-to-use products and unsurpassed service. For more information or the location of a dealer near you, please visit www.feeneyinc.com.
