Contact: Kristi Pronovost
Director of Marketing & Communications
(717) 653-8106 or kristi@abckeystone.org
MANHEIM, Pa, May 26, 2022 – Thirteen students from across Pennsylvania and Maryland were recently awarded scholarships from the Merit Shop Training and Research Center (MSTRC). The $24,500 in scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year brings the total to $574,850 that has been awarded by the MSTRC since its inception, helping students entering a career path in the construction industry.
The purpose of the Merit Shop Construction Scholarship Program, sponsored by ABC Keystone and administered by the Merit Shop Training & Research Center (MSTRC), is to assist individuals seeking to further their education in careers in construction. To be eligible, applicants must either be a permanent resident in the Chapter’s service area or be applying to or attending a Chapter service area trade school, college or university program that is directly related to a construction career. This includes skilled trades, engineering, architecture, and construction management. Students are evaluated on recommendations, academic achievement, initiative, a written essay and community and extra-curricular activities.
“Professional tradespersons are in high demand, and those seeking skilled trades and other careers in construction have great potential for success. We are pleased to provide these deserving award-winners with scholarships to assist them in their education endeavors,” said Stephanie Larkin, Vice President of Education, Safety & Workforce Development, ABC Keystone. “Construction offers exciting and lucrative careers along with a chance to earn while you learn through registered apprenticeship. We look forward to welcoming these future professionals into the industry. Congratulations to all award winners, and the Keystone Chapter wishes them the very best for their future academic and scholastic careers.”
This year’s recipients are as follows:
| First Name | Last Name | Hometown | Award |
| Tristan | Stark | Marietta | $3,000 |
| Luke | Redkay | Mt. Joy | $2,500 |
| Hunter | Gehman | Mt. Joy | $2,000 |
| Tracy | Kinzer | Boonsboro, MD | $2,000 |
| Carson | Sands | Lititz | $2,000 |
| Matthew | Sharp | Elizabethtown | $2,000 |
| Kayla | Vitabile | Douglassville | $2,000 |
| Joel | Bitler | Lancaster | $1,500 |
| Collin | Hinkle | Harrisburg | $1,500 |
| Zach | Jerchau | Lititz | $1,500 |
| Joseph | Menges | Arendtsville | $1,500 |
| John | Meridionale | Frackville | $1,500 |
| Luke | Moser | Boyertown | $1,500 |
Individual photos may be available upon request.
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ABC Keystone leads, champions, and serves the construction industry.
The Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) is a construction trade association based iThe Merit Shop Training and Research Center, established by Associated Builders & Contractors, Keystone Chapter (ABC Keystone), is a non-profit fund whose mission is to provide financial assistance to students who have chosen construction-related career paths. The Center is funded by members of the Chapter, who have taken upon themselves the responsibility to be proactive in assisting individuals in their preparation for the construction industry.
