GUCA Invests in Future Leaders: $92,000 in Scholarships Awarded to 29 Students

The GUCA Scholarship Foundation awarded $92,000.00 in 2026 scholarships to 29 GUCA members’ children this year. Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors attending an accredited college or technical school and college students with a construction industry major.

The GUCA Scholarship Foundation awarded the 2026 scholarships to 29 GUCA members’ children this year. Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors and college and technical school students with a construction industry major.

THE FOUNDATION AWARDED INDUSTRY (7) INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $28,000.00 TO:
Michael Delano Butler is attending Georgia Southern University majoring in mechanical engineering. He plans to pursue a career in wastewater treatment engineering, and is currently employed by Ruby-Collins, Inc. Michael is the son of Tammy and Michael Butler, R & D Mechanical Engineering. 

Casim Ellis is attending Columbia University majoring in construction administration. He plans to pursue a career in construction project leadership. Casim is the son of Melissa Ellis, Life Beyond Water Global Outreach.

Max William Gosdin is attending Kennesaw State University majoring in construction management. He plans to pursue a career in heavy civil site construction, and is employed by Georgia Development Partners. Max is the son of Neal and Kay Gosdin, Brent Scarbrough & Company, Inc. 

Michael Alton Hicks is attending The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga majoring in construction management. He is employed by Ruby-Collins, Inc. Michael is the son of James and Heather Hicks, Ruby-Collins, Inc.

Dillon Robert Keeline is attending Fayetteville Technical Community College majoring in construction management. Dillon is the son of Brian and Danielle Keeline, Dennis Taylor and Company, Inc. 

Davin Michael Lightsey is attending Kennesaw State University majoring in civil engineering. He is employed by Georgia Development Partners. Davin is the son of Kevin and Tania Lightsey, Georgia Development Partners.

Anna Bridges Smith is attending Georgia Southern University majoring in construction management. Anna is the daughter of Brian Smith, Alison Smith and stepdaughter of Jennifer Oetgen, Ruby-Collins, Inc.

THE FOUNDATION AWARDED TWENTY-ONE (21) HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $63,000.00 TO:
Brayden Gerald Baxter, son of Warner and Leslie Baxter, Cleary Construction, Inc. will graduate from Monroe County High School. He will attend Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College to obtain a degree in Science working towards a civil engineering degree.

Colton Paul Bradbury, son of Trey Bradbury; and Rachel Cowan, Strack, Inc. will graduate from Whitewater High School. He will attend Southern Union State Community College to obtain a degree in Construction Management.

Aubrey Madison Burton, daughter of Scott and Dana Burton, Legacy Water Group, LLC will graduate from Eastside High School. She will attend Auburn University to obtain a degree as a Veterinarian.

Edith Perez Chavarria, daughter of Juan Carlos Perez and Maria Chavarria, Ruby-Collins, Inc. will graduate from Morrow High School. She will attend Georgia Institute of Technology to pursue a degree in Business and Civil Engineering.

Mariana Franchesca Santiago-Escobar, daughter of Juan and Ana Escobar, Ruby-Collins, Inc. will graduate from Harrison High School. She will attend Kennesaw State University to pursue a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Communications, and Psychology.

Kevin Henkle, son of Jeffrey and Sarah Henkle, American Cast Iron Pipe Company will graduate from Zionsville Community High School. He will attend Florida Atlantic University to pursue a degree in Management Information Systems.

Andrew Morgan Hodges, son of Eric and Jessica Hodges, McPherson Oil Products will graduate from Etowah High School. He will attend University of Kansas to pursue a degree in Sports Media.

Aiden William Hogan, son of Erik and Sandra Hogan, Fortiline Waterworks will graduate from Northgate High School. He will attend University of West Georgia to pursue a degree in Business.

Ella Murphy Jackson, daughter of Kelly Jackson; and granddaughter of Linda Griswold, Civil Site Services, LLC will graduate from East Coweta High School. She will attend Mercer University to pursue a degree in Chemistry - Forensic Science.

Maxwell Todd Jones, son of Tommy and Kristin Jones, McCoy Grading, Inc. will graduate from Pike County High School. He will attend Georgia College & State University to pursue a degree as Nurse Practitioner.

Cooper Lee Lamon, son of Brian and Brigitte Lamon, Kiewit Water Facilities South Co. will graduate from East Jackson Comprehensive High School. He will attend Lanier Technical College to pursue a degree in Construction Management.
 
Cooper Leeland Mathis, son of Kevin and Nicole Mathis, Brent Scarbrough & Company, Inc. will graduate from Whitewater High School. He will attend Southern Union State Community College to pursue a degree in Aviation Mechanics.

George Brian May, son of Brian and Jean May, C.A. Murren and Sons Company, Inc. will graduate from George Walton Academy. He will attend Kennesaw State University to pursue a degree in Engineering.

Brynn Ellison McCullough, daughter of Jeff and Rebecca McCullough, American CastIron Pipe Company will graduate from Northview High School. She will attend Georgia Southern University to pursue a degree in Journalism.

Amelia Elizabeth Meadows, daughter of Matt and Carmen Meadows, Opifex-Synergy will graduate from George Walton Academy. She will attend University of Alabama to pursue a degree in Marketing.

Mason S. Page, son of Billy and Jennifer Page, Garney Construction will graduate from West Forsyth High School. He will attend University of Pennsylvania to study Marketing and Sports related industries.

Tyler Craig Russell, son of Brent and Megan Russell, Civil Site Services, LLC will graduate from Lanier High School. He will attend Kennesaw State University to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Kaylee Daniela Chavez Sanchez, daughter of Roy Chavez and Marcia Sanchez, Ruby-Collins, Inc. will graduate from Arlington Christian School. She will attend Trinity College of Jacksonville to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

Callista Suzanne Shook, daughter of David and Beverly Shook, Cleary Construction, Inc. will graduate from McCreary Central High School. She will attend University of the Cumberlands to pursue a degree in Psychology.

Alexander Quinn Valenzano, son of Carl and Alicia Valenzano, The Erosion Company will graduate from Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. He will attend University of Mississippi to pursue a degree in Business Management.

Lola Lynn Walden, daughter of Aaron and Dena Walden, Barnett Southern Corporation will graduate from Emanuel County Institute. She will attend the University of Georgia to pursue a degree in Interior Design.

THE FOUNDATION ALSO AWARDED THE DON & DIANA SCARBROUGH SCHOLARSHIP TO: JILLIAN LEEANN BALDERAS
Jillian LeeAnn Balderas, daughter of Daniel and Beth Estevis, Ruby-Collins, Inc. will graduate from Boerne High School. She will attend South Plains College to pursue a degree in Criminalogy, Criminal Justice, and Forensics Science.