Ten construction education scholarships have been awarded in the 2009 ConstructMyFuture.com workforce development initiative.

The program, a joint effort of the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Associated General Contractors of America, aims to encourage teenagers to pursue construction industry careers.

The ConstructMyFuture.com website provides students, teachers, career counsellors and parents with information about the benefits of construction careers as well as access to educational options and local industry resources.

This year the program increased the number of scholarship awards from three to 10, thanks to the support of AEM member Kobelco Cranes North America of Houston, Texas.

This year's USD1,000 scholarship winners were:

• David Derakhshanian from Kansas City, Missouri, attending Pittsburg State University for construction management.
• Ethan Heckenlaible from Stanley County High School, Fort Pierre, South Dakota, to attend Lake Area Technical Institute for diesel technology.
• Colleen Koeppen from Lake Mary Prep, Lake Mary, Florida, to attend Florida Institute of Technology for mechanical engineering.
• John McCormick from Maynard, Massachusetts, attending Pennsylvania College of Technology for heavy equipment operation.
• Zane Osgood from Ten Broeck Academy, Franklinville, New York, to attend Alfred State College for diesel technology.
• Zeke Perez from Denver School of Science and Technology, Denver, Colorado, to attend University of Denver for construction management.
• Matthew Pontarelli from Rochester, New York, attending Pennsylvania College of Technology for heavy equipment operation.
• Matthew Rockhill from Oliver Walcott Technical High School, Torrington, Connecticut, to attend Pennsylvania College of Technology for diesel technology.
• Steve Skoloda from Hamburg Area High School, Hamburg, Pennsylvania, to attend Pennsylvania College of Technology for diesel technology.
• Christopher Cody Swain from Puxico High School, Puxico, Missouri, to attend Linn State Technical College.

Visit www.constructmyfuture.com to read the winning essays and to apply for the 2010 scholarships. The program is administered by AEM. For more information, contact David Bannister (dbannister@aem.org).