The Construction Craft Laborers Training and Apprenticeship Fund announced its annual scholarship winners for 2020. Seven students graduating high school this year are being awarded $140,000 in college scholarships payable over four years. 

The CCLTAF Scholarship Program is open to the children or legal dependents of LIUNA members from the Locals 3, 77, 78, and 199. The students are competitively chosen by an independent panel from among the many student applicants from New Jersey and Delaware.  Since its inception in 2007, CCLTAF has awarded more than $1 million in college scholarships.  

“We are proud to support these young men and women,” said CCLTAF Chairman Raymond M. Pocino. “They have proved themselves in so many ways—in the classroom and through athletics, the arts, community service, and other in-school and out-of-school activities. It is a testament to their hard work, and the hard work of Union Laborers who fund these scholarships, that we can offer these awards for college study.”

Jack Kocsis, CEO of the Association of Construction Contractors of New Jersey and Co-Chairman of the CCLTAF remarked at the varied interests and abilities of the scholarship recipients. “From future engineers and computer scientists, to majors in business and political science, these graduates will be tomorrow’s leaders in so many different industries.” Kocsis continued: “The union construction industry—laborers and contractors—chose to dedicate their resources and provide these scholarships so these young men and women can be the best they can be.  My hope is they never forget where this support came from and when they are in the position, find a way to pay it forward.”

Here are the 2020 Construction Craft Laborers Training and Apprenticeship Fund Scholarship Winners.  The best of the best!

Ashley Arango

Montclair State University

Daughter of Local 78’s Jose Arango

Matthew Arizmendi

Seton Hall University

Son of Local 3’s Carlos Arizmendi

Dennis Fedoriv

Pace University

Son of Local 3’s Igor Fedoriv

Salome Gomez

Rider University

Daughter of Local 78’s Carlos Gomez

Zachary Goncalves

University of Pittsburgh

Son of Local 3’s Eduardo Goncalves

Nicole Outten

Goldey-Beacom College

Daughter of Local 199’s Darrin Outten

Brittney Vaca

Rutgers University – Newark

Daughter of Local 78’s Gregorio Vaca