ARTICLE
A record 45 students received AGC of Texas scholarships this year - and now members and industry leaders need to raise the bar a tad higher, chapter President Wade Miller emphasized during a May luncheon to recognize the newest recipients. TxDOT lettings now exceeding $14 billion a year coupled with an aging labor force puts pressure on the industry to attract and retain younger people to keep building roads and bridges. “We've got a lot of work to do. And workforce development is a huge thing for our industry right now,” Miller said during the luncheon. “These 45 students are the future of our industry, the future leaders of our industry. Our scholarship program cannot afford to go the other way. Last year, it was 30. This year, it's 45. But it needs to continue to grow for the future of what we do – for our business.” The AGC of Texas scholarships provide students with $10,000 a year to help finance college or technical schooling. The scholarship covers $40,000 over four years. Miller told the high school students they have an opportunity to enter a “great industry. We get to do all kinds of different things. We get to design stuff. We get to build bridges. We get to build roads. And all that lasts for many, many years. We get the opportunity to actually drive on what we design and build out there. That's a pretty special thing. It's a very rewarding.” But it’s not easy, he added. It’s not a career where people can work from home. “It's easy to work from home. But I can promise you, you can't build a road, working from home,” Miller noted. “The highway business is a tough business. You’ve got to be tough, and you never ever give up,” he said. “And you’ve got to trust yourself, trust the confidence in yourself. And if you do that, it'll be a very rewarding journey at the end.” Jose Pedroza (sponsored by Kirby-Smith Machinery) credits the AGC Scholarship with driving his commitment and potential within the construction industry while alleviating financial pressures. He said AGC’s financial help will allow him “to focus more on my studies and professional development while also connecting me with a network of industry leaders and resources.” Pedroza plans to focus on construction management at the University of Texas when he arrives as a freshman in the coming months. “I am drawn to the highway construction industry because it connects people and supports the economy. I like the challenging projects and the teamwork involved. The work is exciting and has a lasting impact,” he said. “This scholarship allows me to pursue my educational goals with greater confidence, ambition, and dedication towards the construction industry.” Once established in the industry, Pedroza envisions himself in senior management. “I see myself leading major construction projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget,” Pedroza said. “I aim to be in a senior management role, where I can make strategic decisions, mentor younger professionals, and contribute to innovative construction solutions. My goal is to have a significant impact on the industry by improving project efficiency and sustainability.” AGC’s scholarship program gets funded from the fall gala, featuring event sponsors and silent and live auctions that have netted slightly more than $1 million in each of the past three years. “We need to be around $1.5 this year, and probably $2 million next year,” Miller said. “That's where this scholarship program needs to get to.” The $1 million mark represents a large number and an amount members couldn’t have imagined years ago, Miller said, thanking AGC members for donating auction items and also for their generous support of the scholarship program. Below is a list of this year's scholarship recipients: Vocational: Samuel Avitua is studying Automotive Technology at St. Philip’s College and is sponsor by KLP Supply. Kyle Sheeran is studying Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College and is sponsored by Foremost Paving. Traditional: James Bailey is studying Construction Science at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by R.K. Hall. Blanca Capistran is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and is sponsored by Posillico Civil. Kahlen Castro is studying Concrete Industry Management at Texas State University and is sponsored by Sundt Construction. Kendall Castro is studying Concrete Industry Management at Texas State University and is sponsored by Sundt Construction. Blanca Cuesta is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas and is sponsored by Structural Technologies. Kyle Cullen is studying Civil Engineering at Louisiana State University and is sponsored by Anderson Columbia. Gabriel Diaz is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by HNTB. Brian Dinh is studying Construction Management at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Balfour Beatty. Antonio Elizondo is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and is sponsored by Foremost Paving. Adam Fenn is studying Architectural Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Alamo Roadway Materials. Victoria Foster is studying Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Zachry Construction Corporation. Jorge Garcia is studying Construction Management at Dallas College and is sponsored by PegasusLink. Benjamin Hernandez is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and is sponsored by Anderson Columbia. Matthew Hernandez is studying Construction Science at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Webber. Evan Hosack is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Zachry Construction Corporation. Ricky Ibarra is studying Business at Blinn College/Texas A&M University and is sponsored by DE Corporation. Eliana Martinez is studying Science at Northwest Vista College and is sponsored by Williams Brothers Construction. Tate Martinez is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas and is sponsored by Raba-Kistner. Brady McEntire is studying Construction Science at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Longview Bridge & Road. Carly Metz is studying Business at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by MC2 Civil. Michael Milicia is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas and is sponsored by Raba-Kistner. Kanon Miller is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Big Creek Construction. Anaizar Nava is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and is sponsored by Foremost Paving. Mary Naw is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-San Antonio and is sponsored by Raba-Kistner. Cavin Ordaz is studying Construction Science & Management at the University of Texas-San Antonio and is sponsored by Zachry Construction/Capital Aggregates. Ethan Ortega is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-El Paso and is sponsored by Johnson, Mirmiran, & Thompson. Ryan Overholt is studying Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by ACIG. Ashley Palmer is studying Management at the University of Phoenix and is sponsored by Jones Bros. Dirt & Paving. Allison Pawlak is studying Business Management at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Terracon. Jose Pedroza is studying Construction Management at the University of Texas-Tyler and is sponsored by Kirby-Smith Machinery. Emily Pena is studying Construction Technology at Coastal Bend College and plans to transfer to TexasA&M University. Emily’s sponsor company is CK Newberry. Keyla Salas is studying Construction Management at the University of Texas-Arlington and is sponsored by Balfour Beatty. Dagoberto Sanchez is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-El Paso and is sponsored by Jobe Materials. Campbell Santellana is studying Business at Texas Tech University and is sponsored by WS Construction. Angel Sarmiento is studying Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University and is sponsored by Soil Tech Advance. Landon Schwartz is studying Finance with an emphasis on Construction Management at Texas A&M University. Landon’s sponsor company is Zachry Construction Corporation. Monica Shearer is studying Applied Science & Business Management at Wayland Baptist University and is sponsored by The Levy Company. Xialing Solis is studying Civil Engineering at Lonestar College and plans to transfer to the University of Houston. Xialing’s sponsor company is Webber. Andres Soto is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-Arlington and is sponsored by HNTB. Ronin Vo is studying Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Webber. Maya Waid is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by RPM xConstruction. Salih Yurtbakan is studying Architectural Engineering at the University of Texas and is sponsored by Posillico Civil. Diego Zamora is studying Finance at Southern Nazarene University and is sponsored by RPM xConstruction.
A record 45 students received AGC of Texas scholarships this year - and now members and industry leaders need to raise the bar a tad higher, chapter President Wade Miller emphasized during a May luncheon to recognize the newest recipients.
TxDOT lettings now exceeding $14 billion a year coupled with an aging labor force puts pressure on the industry to attract and retain younger people to keep building roads and bridges.
“We've got a lot of work to do. And workforce development is a huge thing for our industry right now,” Miller said during the luncheon. “These 45 students are the future of our industry, the future leaders of our industry. Our scholarship program cannot afford to go the other way. Last year, it was 30. This year, it's 45. But it needs to continue to grow for the future of what we do – for our business.”
The AGC of Texas scholarships provide students with $10,000 a year to help finance college or technical schooling. The scholarship covers $40,000 over four years.
Miller told the high school students they have an opportunity to enter a “great industry. We get to do all kinds of different things. We get to design stuff. We get to build bridges. We get to build roads. And all that lasts for many, many years. We get the opportunity to actually drive on what we design and build out there. That's a pretty special thing. It's a very rewarding.”
But it’s not easy, he added. It’s not a career where people can work from home.
“It's easy to work from home. But I can promise you, you can't build a road, working from home,” Miller noted.
“The highway business is a tough business. You’ve got to be tough, and you never ever give up,” he said. “And you’ve got to trust yourself, trust the confidence in yourself. And if you do that, it'll be a very rewarding journey at the end.”
Jose Pedroza (sponsored by Kirby-Smith Machinery) credits the AGC Scholarship with driving his commitment and potential within the construction industry while alleviating financial pressures. He said AGC’s financial help will allow him “to focus more on my studies and professional development while also connecting me with a network of industry leaders and resources.”
Pedroza plans to focus on construction management at the University of Texas when he arrives as a freshman in the coming months.
“I am drawn to the highway construction industry because it connects people and supports the economy. I like the challenging projects and the teamwork involved. The work is exciting and has a lasting impact,” he said. “This scholarship allows me to pursue my educational goals with greater confidence, ambition, and dedication towards the construction industry.”
Once established in the industry, Pedroza envisions himself in senior management.
“I see myself leading major construction projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget,” Pedroza said. “I aim to be in a senior management role, where I can make strategic decisions, mentor younger professionals, and contribute to innovative construction solutions. My goal is to have a significant impact on the industry by improving project efficiency and sustainability.”
AGC’s scholarship program gets funded from the fall gala, featuring event sponsors and silent and live auctions that have netted slightly more than $1 million in each of the past three years.
“We need to be around $1.5 this year, and probably $2 million next year,” Miller said. “That's where this scholarship program needs to get to.” The $1 million mark represents a large number and an amount members couldn’t have imagined years ago, Miller said, thanking AGC members for donating auction items and also for their generous support of the scholarship program.
Below is a list of this year's scholarship recipients:
Vocational:
Samuel Avitua is studying Automotive Technology at St. Philip’s College and is sponsor by KLP Supply.
Kyle Sheeran is studying Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College and is sponsored by Foremost Paving.
Traditional:
James Bailey is studying Construction Science at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by R.K. Hall.
Blanca Capistran is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and is sponsored by Posillico Civil.
Kahlen Castro is studying Concrete Industry Management at Texas State University and is sponsored by Sundt Construction.
Kendall Castro is studying Concrete Industry Management at Texas State University and is sponsored by Sundt Construction.
Blanca Cuesta is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas and is sponsored by Structural Technologies.
Kyle Cullen is studying Civil Engineering at Louisiana State University and is sponsored by Anderson Columbia.
Gabriel Diaz is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by HNTB.
Brian Dinh is studying Construction Management at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Balfour Beatty.
Antonio Elizondo is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and is sponsored by Foremost Paving.
Adam Fenn is studying Architectural Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Alamo Roadway Materials.
Victoria Foster is studying Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Zachry Construction Corporation.
Jorge Garcia is studying Construction Management at Dallas College and is sponsored by PegasusLink.
Benjamin Hernandez is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and is sponsored by Anderson Columbia.
Matthew Hernandez is studying Construction Science at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Webber.
Evan Hosack is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Zachry Construction Corporation.
Ricky Ibarra is studying Business at Blinn College/Texas A&M University and is sponsored by DE Corporation.
Eliana Martinez is studying Science at Northwest Vista College and is sponsored by Williams Brothers Construction.
Tate Martinez is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas and is sponsored by Raba-Kistner.
Brady McEntire is studying Construction Science at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Longview Bridge & Road.
Carly Metz is studying Business at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by MC2 Civil.
Michael Milicia is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas and is sponsored by Raba-Kistner.
Kanon Miller is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Big Creek Construction.
Anaizar Nava is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and is sponsored by Foremost Paving.
Mary Naw is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-San Antonio and is sponsored by Raba-Kistner.
Cavin Ordaz is studying Construction Science & Management at the University of Texas-San Antonio and is sponsored by Zachry Construction/Capital Aggregates.
Ethan Ortega is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-El Paso and is sponsored by Johnson, Mirmiran, & Thompson.
Ryan Overholt is studying Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by ACIG.
Ashley Palmer is studying Management at the University of Phoenix and is sponsored by Jones Bros. Dirt & Paving.
Allison Pawlak is studying Business Management at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Terracon.
Jose Pedroza is studying Construction Management at the University of Texas-Tyler and is sponsored by Kirby-Smith Machinery.
Emily Pena is studying Construction Technology at Coastal Bend College and plans to transfer to TexasA&M University. Emily’s sponsor company is CK Newberry.
Keyla Salas is studying Construction Management at the University of Texas-Arlington and is sponsored by Balfour Beatty.
Dagoberto Sanchez is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-El Paso and is sponsored by Jobe Materials.
Campbell Santellana is studying Business at Texas Tech University and is sponsored by WS Construction.
Angel Sarmiento is studying Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University and is sponsored by Soil Tech Advance.
Landon Schwartz is studying Finance with an emphasis on Construction Management at Texas A&M University. Landon’s sponsor company is Zachry Construction Corporation.
Monica Shearer is studying Applied Science & Business Management at Wayland Baptist University and is sponsored by The Levy Company.
Xialing Solis is studying Civil Engineering at Lonestar College and plans to transfer to the University of Houston. Xialing’s sponsor company is Webber.
Andres Soto is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Texas-Arlington and is sponsored by HNTB.
Ronin Vo is studying Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by Webber.
Maya Waid is studying Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University and is sponsored by RPM xConstruction.
Salih Yurtbakan is studying Architectural Engineering at the University of Texas and is sponsored by Posillico Civil.
Diego Zamora is studying Finance at Southern Nazarene University and is sponsored by RPM xConstruction.