KBE Building Corp. Awards $17,000 in Scholarships to 34 Inspiring Connecticut Technical High School Students

Online, June 10, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Joined by Connecticut's lieutenant governor and the state's technical high school system superintendent, KBE Building Corporation awarded $17,000 in scholarships to 34 graduating technical high school seniors in recognition of their academic achievement, character, and commitment to careers in construction and related fields.

The awards were presented at a June 9th ceremony held at E.C. Goodwin Technical High School and attended by various dignitaries and educational professionals, including Connecticut Technical High School System Governing Board Chair Robert Trefry.

At the ceremony, one young man and one young woman from each of Connecticut's 17 active technical high schools received a $500 scholarship to use toward educational expenses for post-high school education in construction, architecture, engineering, or any building trade, including plumbing, electrical, and mechanical.

All scholarship award recipients were selected by the administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors at each school. Award criteria included academic performance, post-high school educational goals, and financial need.

Several of the students have inspiring success stories: Award winners include a young man poised to become his family's first college graduate, a young woman pursuing a career in the non-traditional field of HVAC, and another young woman balancing two part-time jobs in addition to an honors academic load.

Speakers included Dr. Nivea L. Torres, superintendent of the Connecticut Technical High School System, and Dr. Mary Moran, principal of E.C. Goodwin Technical High School. Connecticut's lieutenant governor, Nancy Wyman, also praised KBE's long-standing community focus:

"KBE has been unbelievable as not only great corporate leaders, but truly people that give back. They're successful, and they care about not only their profit margin, but truly believe in…taking care of our future. In whatever they're doing, they're always giving back."

The scholarships are part of KBE's corporate philanthropic program, 50 Ways to Make a Difference. Each year since 2009, KBE has chosen a group of people to benefit from its volunteer work and charitable giving. This year, the firm is focusing on technical high school students in Connecticut, believing that students pursuing technical careers offer a bright and promising future for the state and the country.

In addition to this year's scholarships, KBE is helping promote manufacturing in Connecticut by sponsoring a Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN) documentary about the status and importance of the state's technical industry.

To conclude the ceremony, KBE's co-owner and Senior Vice President Simon Etzel encouraged the students to adopt a charitable focus in their own lives: "And one last word of advice, PAY IT FORWARD. You're never too young to start giving back to others. Make volunteerism and generosity a habit…a lifelong commitment…and you will receive much more than you ever give."

Since 2009, KBE has contributed more than $1.2 million and 5,000 volunteer hours to programs that benefit children, seniors, and military personnel.

High-resolution photos suitable for print are available below. All photo credits: KBE Building Corporation.

Student scholarship recipients: http://www.impactmarketingandpr.com/press/KBE-Scholarship-Recipients.jpg

Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman: http://www.impactmarketingandpr.com/press/Connecticut-Lieutenant-Governor-Nancy-Wyman.jpg

Connecticut Technical High School System Superintendent Dr. Nivea Torres: http://www.impactmarketingandpr.com/press/Connecticut-Superintendent-Technical-High-School-System-Dr-Nivea-Torres.jpg

KBE Co-owner and SVP Simon Etzel: http://www.impactmarketingandpr.com/press/KBE-SVP-Simon-Etzel.jpg

About KBE Building Corporation

Regionally located in Farmington, Conn., and Columbia, Md., KBE Building Corporation is a full-service, single-source commercial construction company strategically positioned to serve the Eastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Founded in 1959 and incorporated in 1966, the firm provides preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and general contracting services to clients in the educational, senior living, federal, corporate, hospitality, health care, institutional, and retail markets. KBE has managed more than $2.5 billion in construction volume over the last decade and is ranked among Engineering News-Record magazine's top 400 construction companies nationally.