ST. PAUL, MN - The Association of Women Contractors (AWC) announced today the organization will award $10,000 for Educational Scholarships to ten female students pursuing careers in the construction industry. AWC is committed to strengthening the community by providing substantial scholarship money to women in higher education or apprenticeships who are seeking construction industry-related degrees and experience. The Scholarships will be presented at the Annual Scholarship and Awards Celebration on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at International Market Square. The event starts at 5:30p.m.

"It's a pleasure to be able to award our largest amount of scholarships to date," said Barb Christensen, Executive Director of AWC. "Given the tough economic times, I really want to salute our membership for their commitment to helping the next generation of women leaders in the construction industry."

Each young lady will receive a $1,000.00 scholarship to help defray the cost of college or trade school. Qualifications for the scholarship include Minnesota resident or attending a program in Minnesota; GED or high school graduate on or by July 2009, construction industry major including, but not limited to: architecture, construction management, engineering, electrical, plumbing and mechanical

Here is the list of this year's recipients:

• Christine Adamietz, Russell, Minnesota. Christine will study wind energy technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College. She is the first woman enrolled in this program.
• Sydney Autry, (need City and State). Sydney will major in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas.
• Kelsey Bruning, Plymouth, Minnesota. Kelsey will study construction engineering at Iowa State University.
• Tansey Cregan, Hanover, Minnesota. Tansey will study construction management at North Hennepin Community College. For the past three years she has worked with JE Dunn as a project coordinator.
• Shirley Hu, (need City and State). Shirley is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Construction Management at Mankato State University. She currently has a 3.65 GPA and is the treasurer for the Society of Women Engineers.
• Brenna Luck, (need City and State). Brenna is studying to be a Construction Electrician at Anoka Technical College. She currently has a 3.58 GPA and her goal is to become a Master Electrician.
• Samantha Randby, Gilbert, Minnesota. Samantha is enrolled in the Power Line Program at Minnesota West Community and Technical College and has a 3.78 GPA. She plans to continue her education by majoring in Wind Energy Technology after completing her current program.
• Crystal Rinkenberger, (need City and State). Crystal currently has a 4.0 GPA in her major of Architectural Construction Technology at St. Cloud Technical College.
• Maria Ustaralkova, Winona, Minnesota. Maria wants to design Green buildings. She is studying Green Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology. She has a 3.90 GPA.
• Natasha Bergeson, Plaza, North Dakota. Natasha has a 3.5 GPA as student in the Carpentry Program at Alexandria Technical College. She wants to open a custom furniture and refinishing business.

Since 2001, AWC has awarded scholarships to young women attending college, technical or trade school in construction-related fields, such as skilled trades, engineering, architecture and construction management. Including this year's scholarships, the AWC has granted $49,000.00 to young women pursuing careers in the construction field.