Construction Advancement Institute Awards $55,000 in Academic Grants to 11 Students
August 15, 2025
TARRYTOWN, NY—As part of its mission to expand the ranks of professionals in the building and construction sectors in the Lower Hudson Valley, the Construction Advancement Institute this month awarded $55,000 in grants to 11 regional undergraduate students who are enrolled in majors aligned with engineering, architecture, construction technology, construction management as well as related disciplines this fall.
The CAI is the educational and advocacy organization aligned with the Building Contractors Association of Westchester & The Mid-Hudson Region, Inc. The CAI Scholarship Committee reviewed numerous scholarship applications, school transcripts and essays in June and July, said CAI Chairman Mark Fante of Darante Construction Ltd. of Elmsford, NY. The awards to the 11 recipients are $5,000 grants for use in the current 2025-2026 academic year.
“The scholarship funds that the CAI awards annually for academic excellence and achievement is a combined effort of the contracting community and organized labor to assist families with tuitions at higher education institutions nationwide,” Mr. Fante noted. “Our goal is to strengthen the ranks of engineers and technologists employed at the companies that are members of the BCA. It’s one more way the association works to keep our member companies competitive and our local economies growing.”
Since its inception, the CAI Scholarship Program has awarded 146 grants to some 85 students at more than 45 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. This year’s grant award of $55,000 also lifts the total scholarship awarded by CAI to more than $664,000 since its first year in 2009 when just six grants were bestowed.
The following scholars chosen from the many applicants are:
Cristopher Altomare, 20, of Yonkers, NY will be a junior who attends Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Cristopher is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics. He is the grandson of a member of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers L.U. 1 NY.
Natalia Azevedo, 18, of Yonkers, NY, is a freshman who will be attending New York Institute of Technology in College City, NY. Natalia is pursuing a degree in Architecture. She is the daughter of a member of Carpenters L.U. 279.
Anthony Darrow, 19, of Hopewell Junction, NY, will be a junior who attends Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY. Anthony is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering. He is the son of an employee of the BCA-member company, Darlind Associates.
Eric Darrow, 19, of Lagrangeville, NY, will be a junior attending Villanova University in Villanova, PA. Eric is pursuing a double major in Finance and Real Estate, and a minor in Accounting. He is the son of an employee of the BCA-member company, Darlind Associates.
Alexis LeBlanc, 19, of Mahopac, NY, will be a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island in South Kingston, RI. She is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She is the daughter of a member of Operating Engineers L.U. 137.
Michael LaMagna, 19, of Mamaroneck, NY, will be a sophomore at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. Michael will be pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering. He is the grandson of a member of the Carpenters L.U. 279.
Isabel Marotta, 18, of New Fairfield, CT, will be a freshman at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. She will be pursuing a degree in Architectural Design. She is the granddaughter of an employee of the BCA-member contracting company, Martino Contracting, Inc.
Luke Marotta, 20, of New Fairfield, CT, will be a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. Luke is pursuing a dual degree in Sustainability and Political Science with a focus on Construction Management. He is also minoring in International Security. He is the grandson of an employee of a BCA-member contracting company.
Landon Martino, 23, of New Fairfield, CT, will be attending Graduate School at Pace University Law School in White Plains, NY. Landon will be pursuing a degree in Environmental Law (Land Use and Development). He is the grandson of an employee of a BCA-member contracting company.
Carter Mistishin, 23, of Lake Ariel, PA, will be a junior at Johnson College in Scranton, PA. Carter will be pursuing his degree in HVAC and Electrical Construction. He is the son of an employee of a BCA-member company, Byram Concrete and Supply LLC.
Hailey Weber, 20, of Southbury, CT, will be a junior at the University of Connecticut, Storrs in CT, pursuing a dual major in Civil and Environmental Engineering. She is the daughter of a member of Operating Engineers L.U. 137.
For additional information and to request an application for next year’s grants opportunities, please contact Laurel Brunelle at 914-631-1033 or laurel@bcanys.org.