Building Dreams: GHBA Awards More Than $130K in Scholarships to Future Leaders

The GHBA hit an exciting new milestone at this year’s Mid-Year Forecast Luncheon on June 17, presenting a record-shattering $136,000 in scholarships to 34 exceptional students through the annual GHBA Scholarship Program, powered by the Associate Council.

“As an international student full of goals and dreams, this support holds special significance. The opportunity to connect with GHBA member organizations adds even more value by opening doors for professional growth and future collaboration within the industry.”Poojan Pasawala

These $4,000 scholarships are awarded to college-bound children of GHBA members and participants in official GHBA Workforce Partner Programs. The awards wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of dozens of GHBA companies and members, who continue to invest in the future of our industry and local communities.

“Receiving a scholarship from GHBA is more than just financial support—it’s recognition of our hard work, our dreams, and our potential,” said recipient McKenna Rinewalt. “It connects us to a community that values growth and giving back.”

This year’s record fundraising was made possible by both long-time and first-time donors, many of whom have created scholarships in honor of industry leaders who made a lasting impact. Notably, ACES Builders Warranty once again honored the legacy of Max Hoyt, GHBA’s former CEO who championed education; the Carl Stephens Memorial Scholarship continues to be awarded thanks to donations from industry colleagues; and new scholarships from GHBA past presidents and numerous associate members pushed this year’s program to new heights.

One common thread among recipients was gratitude, and a shared passion for giving back. Said Kha Nguyen, “Being recognized by GHBA motivates me to give back to the construction community and to work toward creating sustainable, affordable housing solutions.”

“This scholarship opens doors I couldn’t have imagined. It connects me directly to industry leaders and creates networking opportunities that could shape my entire career trajectory. Thank you for investing in students like me and for creating opportunities that make a lasting impact on our educational journey and professional aspirations.”Ghayda Kassar

The students recognized represent a wide range of fields—from construction management to engineering, architecture, nursing, business, and more. Their achievements, leadership, and passion impressed the hundreds of industry members in attendance.

Said Mateo Gonzalez, another recipient and student leader in the GHBA Workforce Partner Program, “I spent many hours helping lead the construction of a tiny home for a deserving veteran. I’m grateful to GHBA for helping me pursue my goals—and for teaching me the value of community service.”

The luncheon celebrated not only the scholarship recipients but also the growing strength of GHBA’s Workforce Partner Programs, now feeding top talent into the building industry pipeline. As one student, Kai Coley, put it simply, “A scholarship from GHBA means opportunity.”

Scholarship honorees received their awards onstage at Mid-Year Forecast Luncheon, presented by Pat Wilson with Legends Architectural Stone, the Community Service Committte chair for the Associate Council, and David Castle with Ironwood Connection, the Associate Council president. Congratutions to our 2025 recipients! GHBA wishes you the best in your future endeavors.

Jaxon Cheshire

Jaxon is receiving the ACES Builders Warranty, Max Hoyt Memorial Scholarship. He will attend Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, majoring in Business Administration. In high school, Jaxon played football and earned honors as HISD Newcomer of the Year, First Team All-District D-Line, and 2nd Team Academic All-State. His mom is Jo Dunham, who works for Sandcastle Homes, Inc.

Denisse Ortega

Denisse is receiving the Andrade Concrete & Construction Scholarship. She is part of one of our Workforce Partner Programs with Humble ISD and will attend Lone Star College, majoring in Business Administration. In high school, she designed pages for the yearbook club, completed the Real Estate CTE course, and worked full-time. Her parents are Fabiola and Oscar Ortega.

Pablo Rojas

Pablo is receiving a GHBA Scholarship. He will attend MIT this fall, majoring in Biological Engineering. In high school, he was a member of the Houston Youth Symphony, the Academy of Science and Engineering Nüromotus Project, National Honor Society, President of the SHS Science Club, and a two-time drum major for the Stratford High School Marching Band. His parents are Kerlyng Cecchini and Denis Rojas. Kerlyng works for Sunbelt Hot Tubs.

Alijah Alvarez

Alijah is receiving the Baths of America, Inc. Scholarship. He will attend the University of Houston in the fall. In high school, he was a member of HOSA and was nationally recognized at the 68th Annual CFISD National Merit Scholars and College Board National Recognition Program Scholars. His parents are Albert and Chadney Alvarez. Chadney works for Baths of America, Inc.

Thomas Lawrence

Thomas is receiving the Bradford Brothers Electric Scholarship. He attends Southwestern University, majoring in Economics and Music. During college, he has been a member of Delta Omicron and the Jazz Band, and has made the Dean’s List. His mother is Elizabeth Lane, who works for Hilltop Stones & Interiors.

Laura Porter

Laura is receiving the Builder’s Choice Scholarship. She attends Texas A&M University, majoring in Agricultural Economics with minors in Cybersecurity, Homeland Security, and Emergency Management. She is involved in Maggies Women’s Organization and Women in Public Service. Her parents are Deanna and Doug Porter. Doug works for Jewell, an Oldcastle Company.

Joslin Wiggins

Joslin is receiving the Builders FirstSource Scholarship. She will attend Texas A&M University, majoring in Biology. In high school, she was involved in the National Spanish Honor Society, Volleyball, and Golf. Her parents are Julie and Mark Wiggins. Julie works for Builders FirstSource.

Jackson Marsh

Jackson is receiving the Builders FirstSource Scholarship. He attends Texas A&M University, majoring in Animal Science. In high school, he worked for Houston Carriage, and in college has been a Breakaway Ministries Prayer Team Volunteer and interned at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. His mom is Michelle Allison, who works for Marsh McLennan Agency.

Grace Stadler

Grace is receiving the Builders FirstSource Scholarship. She attends Texas State University, majoring in Communications with a minor in Business Administration. In high school, she was senior class president and has made the Dean’s List at Texas State in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. Her parents are Ken and Kathleen Stadler. Kathleen works for Ready Cable, Inc.

Megan Cornell

Megan is receiving the Builders FirstSource Scholarship. She will attend Texas A&M University in the fall, majoring in Business Accounting. In high school, she participated in cheer, National Honor Society, and worked as a gymnastics coach. Her parents are Shaun and Crissy Cornell. Shaun works for Ferguson Home.

Jaeson Madrey

Jaeson is receiving the Builders Post-Tension Scholarship. He will attend Lone Star College, majoring in Psychology. In high school, he was a yearbook staff editor and part of the audio/video production group. His parents are Alison and Greg Madrey. Greg works for Builders Post-Tension.

Bailey Hodge

Bailey is receiving the Builders Post-Tension Scholarship. She will attend Texas Tech University, majoring in Writing, Design, and Technical Communications with a minor in Marketing. In high school, she participated in ACE Mock Trial, Debate Club, and later joined Lone Star College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society. Her parents are Bill and Gretchen Hodge. Gretchen works for Builders Post-Tension.

Ethan Springer

Ethan is receiving the BURGESS Cornerstone Scholarship. He is a member of GHBA’s Workforce Partner Program through the Humble ISD Big Heroes Tiny Homes Project with Operation Finally Home, where he served as project management lead. He was also Marching Band Drum Major and a member of the Science National Honor Society. He plans to attend Texas State University in the fall.

Landon Zieschang

Landon is receiving the Chesmar Foundation Scholarship. He will attend the University of Houston in the fall. In high school, he was a member of the choir and served as President of the Chess Club. His father is Dean Zieschang, who works for The Mint.

Katia Hernandez

Katia is receiving the Chesmar Foundation Scholarship. She is a participant in the GHBA Workforce Partner Program and attends the University of Houston, majoring in Accounting. She is a member of the Emerging Leaders Academic Success Program and the Hispanic Business Student Association. Her father is Gabriel Hernandez.

Lily Nguyen

Lily is receiving the Chesmar Foundation Scholarship. She attends the University of Houston, majoring in Architecture with a minor in Art History. In high school, she participated in the Humble ISD Big Heroes Tiny Homes Project with Operation Finally Home, serving as committee president. Her parents are David and Anna Nguyen.

Ross Shuler

Ross is receiving the Chesmar Foundation Scholarship. He attends the University of Oklahoma, majoring in Civil Engineering. He is a member of the OU Bass Fishing Team, Ducks Unlimited Chapter, and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). His parents are Bruce and Kelly Schuler. Bruce works for M/I Homes.

Kha Nguyen

Kha is receiving the Chesmar Foundation Scholarship. He is part of a GHBA Workforce Partner Program at the University of Houston Downtown and a member of their NAHB Student Chapter. He is majoring in Structural Analysis and Design and is a member of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) UHD Chapter and ASCE. His parents are Thuy Lan Pham and Xuan Huy Nguyen.

Mateo Gonzalez

Mateo is receiving the Carl Stephens Memorial Scholarship. He participated in the Big Heroes Tiny Homes Program at Kingwood High School. He will attend Lubbock Christian University, majoring in Business Management/Finance. He also served as construction lead on the Tiny Home project, was a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a member of the tennis team. His parents are Benjamin and Jennifer Gonzalez.

Kelly Brown

Kelly is receiving the Carl Stephens Memorial Scholarship. She will attend Clemson University, majoring in Pre-Business. In high school, she was on the volleyball team, a TFL volleyball coach, and a Faithbridge Missions Student Leader. Her parents are Amy Brown and Cindy Gossett. Amy works for Howard Hughes Holdings.

Poojan Pasawala

Poojan is receiving the Gageco, Inc. Scholarship. He is part of a GHBA Workforce Partner Program and a member of Texas A&M University’s NAHB Student Chapter. He is pursuing a master’s degree in Construction Management and has participated in the TEXO ASC Region 5 Design Build Competition and volunteered at BUILD. His parents are Amit and Mamta Pasawala.

Tyler Hemphill

Tyler is receiving the GHBA Past Presidents Leadership Scholarship. He participated in Humble ISD Big Heroes Tiny Homes Program with Operation Finally Home. He will attend the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor in the fall. In high school, he played football and lacrosse.

Kai Coley

Kai is receiving the Jeff Hunt Construction Scholarship. He will attend Texas A&M University, majoring in Engineering. In high school, he participated in soccer, National Honor Society, and AVID. His parents are Shawn and Crystal Coley. Shawn works for Century Communities.

Erik Rivera

Erik is receiving the Joe Swartz Electric Company Scholarship. He will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in Architecture. In high school, he participated in football and wrestling. His parents are Erik and Erica Rivera. His father works for Partners in Building, LP.

Noah Wilson

Noah is receiving the Keechi Creek Builders Scholarship. He attends Texas Tech University, majoring in Creative Media Innovation. He is a member of the Texas Tech Bass Fishing Team and Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. His parents are Pat and Melissa Wilson, of Legends Architectural Stone.

Dominik Rudny

Dominik is receiving the LBJ Construction Scholarship. He will attend Sam Houston State University in the fall, majoring in Nursing with a minor in Business Administration. In high school, he participated in the American Institute of Architecture Students, Gardening Club, and Pickleball Club. His parents are Lisa and Dominik Rudny.

Bryson Lynch

Bryson is receiving the Legends in the Making, Legends Architectural Stone Scholarship. He attends Texas A&M University, majoring in Agribusiness. He is a member of the Texas A&M Weightlifting Team and a counselor for Aggie Transition Camps. His father is Brandon Lynch, who works for Keechi Creek Builders.

Victoria Moss

Victoria is receiving the Newmark Homes, Bill Ulrich Memorial Scholarship. She will attend the University of Miami, majoring in Biology. In high school, she served as a City of Houston Youth Ambassador, Aldine ISD Superintendent Student Ambassador, Senior Class Historian, and President of both the National Honor Society and Business Professionals of America. Her mother is Vanessa Smith, who works for HomePro Home Technologies.

Emily Petruncio

Emily is receiving a scholarship from the Manners/Coole Foundation. She participated in the Big Heroes Tiny Homes program with Operation Finally Home at Kingwood Park High School. She will attend the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Architecture. In high school, she played for both her high school and club volleyball teams and was involved in HOSA. Her parents are David and Toni Petruncio.

Michael Bynum

Michael is receiving a scholarship from the Manners/Coole Foundation. He will attend Southern Methodist University, majoring in Finance. In high school, he participated in DECA, National Honor Society, and Student Council. His parents are Russell and Michelle Bynum. Russell works for Hillwood Communities.

Mckenna Rinewalt

Mckenna is receiving a scholarship from the Manners/Coole Foundation. She will attend Northwestern State University in the fall, majoring in Biology with a Pre-Med focus. She earned an athletic scholarship to Northwestern State University, graduated with honors, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Her parents are David and Kristen Rinewalt. Kristen is a member of GHBA and works for First America Homes, A Signorelli Company.

Ngan Tran

Ngan is receiving a scholarship from the Manners/Coole Foundation. She attends Texas A&M University, majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Public Health and Psychology. In high school, she was active in choir and the National Honor Society. Her guardian is Thao Tran, who works for Carrier Corporation.

Maisy Summers

Maisy is receiving a scholarship from the Manners/Coole Foundation. She attends Mississippi State University, majoring in Supply Chain Logistics. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and Undergraduate Women in Business at Mississippi State University. Her parents are Caleb and Laura Summers. Caleb works for Detering Company of Houston.

Ghayda Kassar

Ghayda is receiving the Professional Women in Building Scholarship. She is part of a GHBA Workforce Partner Program at the University of Houston Downtown and is majoring in Structural Analysis and Design Engineering. At UHD, she has participated in the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Concrete Competition and has served as an ACI Symposium volunteer. Her parent is Samir Kassar.

Thank You 2025 Scholarship Donors