THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA BUILDERS EXCHANGE (CCBE) AWARDS 25 SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOCAL STUDENTS AT THE 8th ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA BUILDERS EXCHANGE (CCBE) AWARDS 25 SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOCAL STUDENTS AT THE 8th ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET

FRESNO, Calif., (May 19th 2011) – The Central California Builders Exchange (CCBE) held its 8th Annual Scholarship Awards Banquet last night to honor and grant scholarships to local students. In all 25 students were honored and received scholarships totaling $13,100. In the 8 years that the Scholarship Program has been in place CCBE has bestowed close to $200,000 in scholarships to deserving local students. Roxanne Greenwood, Executive Director of CCBE had this to say about the event, “This is a win-win scenario; we are able to alleviate some of the financial burden for these commendable students while they develop into the qualified workforce of the future for our industry.”



The Central California Builders Exchange stresses the importance of education to ensure that there will be a highly qualified workforce entering into the Construction and related industries over the years to come. To accomplish this CCBE has initiated strategic partnerships with the Construction Management programs for both CSU-Fresno and Fresno City College to provide scholarships to exemplary students at the recommendation of the Program Advisors. CCBE has also taken a very active stance with educational development programs within our local communities by implementing the ACE Mentoring Program.



ACE is an acronym for Architecture, Construction, and Engineering. This is a national program with local affiliates spread throughout the United States whose mission is to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in the integrated construction industry through mentoring; and to support their continued advancement in the industry through scholarships and grants. The ACE Mentor Program of Central California is a not-for-profit organization started by CCBE that helps prepare high school students for careers in design and construction through mentoring. This year’s participants include more than 40 Mentor Volunteers consisting of local Architects, Contractors and Engineers and 80 Students from Edison, Hoover, Liberty (Madera), Clovis and Kerman High Schools.



Members of Central California Builders Exchange, including employees and their families, are also eligible to apply for Central California Builders Exchange scholarships. Candidates must be a junior or senior currently enrolled in a high school; or, a state-approved construction related trade or craft training school. Although we emphasize construction careers, scholarship applicants may pursue advanced education through any field. Official transcripts of grades for the most recent semester and two letters of recommendation from instructors and/or employers are required. Candidates must have a current cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher.



To honor the scholarship recipients CCBE holds an annual awards dinner as a public recognition of their hard work. The Scholarship recipients, their families, ACE Mentors, and CCBE Board of Directors and Staff were on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of the students and the future of the industry.
The following students who showed exemplary performance in academics were honored at last night’s event:
Taylor Dihel - Recipient of the Architect/Engineer Scholarship
Eliseo Cendejas Alvarado - Recipient of the Fresno City College Scholarship
Hosanna Kessler - Recipient of the CSU – Fresno Scholarship
Taylor Abourezk - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship
Jordan Ellis - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship
Baylee Furrer - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship
Jacob Furrer - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship
Erin Kangas - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship
Ameliana Lediaev - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship
Page Little - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship
Michelle Mendrin - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship
Nickolas Richardson - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship
Natalie Saleh - Recipient of the CCBE Membership Scholarship

ACE Scholarships
Clovis High School:
Tim Jeung – Attending Fresno State - Engineering
Zach White-Steele – Attending Fresno State - Engineering
Kenny Wagner – Attending Fresno City (Willow International) - Architecture
Edison High School:
Gabby Hernandez – Attending UC Davis – Civil Engineering
Marvin Rios – Attending USC – Mechanical Engineering
Nick Carrillo – Attending Fresno City - Architecture
Cesar Rico – Fresno State - Engineering
Kerman High School:
John Bailey – Fresno City - Architecture
Hector Flores – Pursuing Construction Vocation
Andre Lorrando – Pursuing Construction Vocation
Liberty High School:
Lauren Bailey – Attending Cal Poly Pomona - Architecture
Halee Sabourin – Attending Cal Poly SLO – Architectural Engineering
CCBE would like to congratulate all of the 2011 Scholarship Award Winners!

About the Central California Builders Exchange
The Central California Builders Exchange (CCBE) has more than 800 members representing the entire spectrum of Central California’s construction industry. The mission of the organization is to serve the construction industry by promoting high ethical and professional standards, providing quality services to its members, and working responsibly within the community for the enhancement of the building industry. CCBE acts as a catalyst to advocate collaboration of the industry, bringing all of the players to the table to work together. Originally formed to act as a liaison between contractors and architects to streamline the bidding process, CCBE has evolved into a dynamic professional association where the needs of the Members are priority.

About the ACE Mentor Program
The ACE Mentor Program was founded by the principals of leading design and construction firms to introduce high school students to career opportunities in the industry. The mission of the organization is twofold: to enlighten and motivate students toward architecture, construction, engineering, and related careers; and to provide mentoring opportunities for future designers and constructors. ACE makes a special attempt to reach students that otherwise may not become aware of the challenges and rewards of a career in the design and construction industry. For more information on the ACE Mentor Program, visit www.acementor.org.

For media inquiries please contact Tony Renfro at (559) 237-1831 or Tony@cencalbx.com

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