August 20, 2024

TARRYTOWN, NY—As part of its mission to elevate professionalism in the building and construction sectors in the Lower Hudson Valley, the Construction Advancement Institute this month awarded $70,000 in grants to 13 regional undergraduate students and one graduate student who are enrolled in STEM majors such as engineering, architecture, construction technology, construction management and related disciplines this fall. 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 more than two dozen scholarship applications, school transcripts and essays in June, said CAI Chairman Mark Fante of Darante Construction Ltd. of Elmsford, NY. The awards to the 14 recipients are $5,000 grants for use in the current 2024-2025 academic year.

“The money our industry awards annually for scholarships is a joint effort of the contracting community with union labor to assist families with tuition support at academic 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 135 grants to 80 students at more than 40 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. This year’s grant award of $70,000 also lifts the total scholarship awarded by CAI to more than $609,000 since its first year in 2009 when just six grants were bestowed.

The following scholars were chosen from more than 25 applicants who applied for and were carefully considered by the CAI Scholarship Committee. They are:

Cristopher Altomare, 19, of Yonkers, NY, is a Sophomore who attends Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. He is the grandson of a member of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1 New York.

Adam Beno, 18, of Poughkeepsie, NY, is a Freshman at SUNY New Paltz, NY, pursuing a degree in Computer Science.  He is the son of a BCA member company.

Kyle Burdick, 22, of Patterson, NY, is a Junior attending Manhattan College in the Bronx, pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. He is the son of a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 137.

Anthony Darrow, 19, of Hopewell Junction, NY, is a Sophomore attending Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.  He is the son of a BCA member of Darlind Associates.

Eric Darrow, 19, of Hopewell Junction, NY, is a Sophomore attending Villanova University, Villanova, PA, pursuing a degree in Finance and Real Estate.  He is the son of a BCA member of Darlind Associates.

Sophia Mangone, 21, of Hartsdale, NY, is a Senior attending SUNY @ Oneonta, NY, pursuing a degree in Science.  She is the granddaughter of a BCA member company Bay Crane.

Luke Marotta, 19, of New Fairfield, CT, is a Freshman attending the University of New Haven, CT, pursuing a degree in Construction Management.  He is the grandson of a BCA member Martino Contracting.

Carter Mistishin, 19, of Lake Ariel, PA is a Sophomore attending Johnson College, PA, pursuing a degree in HVAC and Electrical Construction.  He is the son of a BCA member company Byram Concrete Supply LLC.

Cooper Mistishin, 22, of Lake Ariel, PA, is Senior who attends Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, pursuing a degree in Software Engineering.  He is the son of a BCA member company Byram Concrete Supply LLC.

Daniella Mulvey, 24, of Valhalla, NY, is attending graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, PA, Stuart Weitzman School of Design, pursuing a degree in Masters of Architecture.  She is the daughter of a BCA member company Stratis Contracting Corp.

Nicholas Mulvey, 21, of Valhalla, NY, is a Senior attending Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.  He is the son of a BCA member company Stratis Contracting Corp.

Kristen Stepien, 21, of Wayne, NJ, is a Junior attending the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., pursuing a degree in Engineering Management. She is the daughter of a BCA member Company Halmar International LLC.

Jonnathan Tapia, 29, of Mount Kisco, NY, is a Sophomore attending Alfred State University, Alfred, NY, pursuing a bachelors of technology (b.tech) in construction supervision.  He is a member of Carpenters Local 279.

Hailey Weber, 19, of Southbury, CT, is a Sophomore attending the University of Connecticut, pursuing a degree in Environmental Engineering.  She is the daughter of a member of the Operating Engineers Local 137.

For additional information and to request an application for next year’s grants opportunities, please contact Laurel Brunelle at 914-631-1033 or [email protected].