Go Build Alabama, an initiative of the Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute (ACRI), has selected Alma Bryant High School senior, Lily Baria, as the first student recognized for the Go Build Alabama Student of the Month scholarship award for the 2016/2017 school year.
Baria is a senior who also takes carpentry and construction courses at Bryant Career Technical Center in Irvington. In addition to studying the skilled trades, she is active outside the classroom as an academic scholar, and is a member of National Technical Honor Society with a 4.0 GPA.
“As the only female student in her class, Lily has excelled in carpentry and construction,” said Chris Rogers, carpentry instructor at Bryant Career Technical Center. “She is a dedicated, dependable and trustworthy student who goes out of her way to lead by example and help other students. She also serves as the safety director in charge of our construction technology program, and helps keep my class running smoothly.”
After graduating from Alma Bryant, Baria plans to attend Bishop State community college for two years before finishing with a degree in engineering from the University of South Alabama.
“I’ve always liked working with my hands, so a career in construction would be perfect for me,” said Baria. “Even though I’m the only girl in my class at the beginning of every day, I like the challenge of showing everyone around me that I know what I’m doing and that I belong there just as much as the guys.”
The Student of the Month scholarship is bestowed upon one high school junior or senior every month of the school year by the Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute. It is designed to support students who pursue careers in the construction industry, a field that offers a wide-variety of rewarding career paths. Upon graduation, Baria will receive a $1,000 scholarship to continue her education at an Alabama institution of higher education. Scholarships are made possible through proceeds from the Big Dog Poker Run, an annual motorcycle benefit ride organized by CraneWorks and Garrison Steel.
Teachers, principals and other school personnel are encouraged to nominate students for the Go Build Alabama award. To be eligible, students must be high school juniors or seniors with a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in construction. They must also be enrolled in, or have been enrolled in, technical courses related to the skilled trades, or have plans to continue their education in the construction industry after graduating high school. Visit www.GoBuildAlabama.com to download a nomination form.
ABOUT GO BUILD ALABAMA
ACRI launched the Go Build campaign in August 2010 to prepare for an anticipated shortage of skilled workers, as older tradesmen leave the workforce. Today, one third of all skilled tradesmen in the construction industry are over the age of 50. With their retirement looming, training programs are not producing enough young workers to replace those exiting the industry. Go Build Alabama aims to recruit the next generation of skilled construction trade workers, and we’re starting in the schools. Visit GoBuildAlabama.com for more.