Built for What's Next: UCON's 2026 Scholarship Award Winners

United Contractors is thrilled to announce a record-breaking $100,000 in scholarships awarded to 25 outstanding students. These recipients represent the next generation of leaders who will make a positive impact in their professions and communities. They embody the drive, determination, and grit that UCON members stand for. We are proud to invest in their futures and honored to welcome them into our UCON community.

2026 Scholarship Recipients

Eduardo Tavera — $10,000 | David W. Young Memorial Scholarship | California State University, Chico
Madeleine Cheung — $10,000 | Mario Ghilotti Family Foundation Scholarship | University of California, Los Angeles
Breana Brackett — $6,000 | Les Weed Memorial Scholarship | California State University, Chico

Stephanie Williams — $6,000 | Platinum Sponsorship Scholarship | San Francisco State University
Annelyse McMickin — $5,000 | Gold Sponsorship Scholarship | A & B Construction
Payton McGarva — $4,000 | Silver Sponsorship Scholarship | Western Water Constructors

Aidan Cochrane — $4,000 | California State University, Chico
Aspyn Faramarzinia — $4,000 | California State University, Long Beach
Jacob Gonzales — $4,000 | California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Hayley Hamilton — $4,000 | Fort Lewis College | D.W. Young Construction Co., Inc.
Ella Hamilton — $4,000 | Boise State University | D.W. Young Construction Co., Inc.
Sophia Lopez — $4,000 | Brentwood School | Mike Prlich and Sons Inc.
Isaiah Sneed — $4,000 | University of California, Davis

Aiden Diaz — $3,000 | California State University, Chico
Massimo Lopez — $3,000 | Santa Clara University
Janeice Lopez — $3,000 | Monterey Mechanical Co.
Dylon Moala — $3,000 | Santa Clara University
Saul Romero — $3,000 | California State University, Sacramento
Cruz Segura — $3,000 | California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo | Granite Construction Company
Nataly Vasquez — $3,000 | University of California, Merced | Pacific Boring, Inc.

Daniella Silacci — $2,000 | California State University, Chico | Ghilotti Construction Company
Madalyn Anderson — $2,000 | University of Pittsburgh | Marques General Engineering, Inc.
Tayler Chamberlain — $2,000 | Oklahoma State University | Granite Construction Co.
Lucia Gonzalez Cabrera — $2,000 | University of San Francisco | McGuire and Hester
Bryan Lagunas — $2,000 | Stanford University

Thank You to Our Scholarship Committee

A special thank you to the members of the UCON Scholarship Committee who dedicated their time to reviewing applications and selecting this year's recipients: 

Karissa Fox, American Civil Constructors West Coast LLC — Co-Chair
Scott Salandi, Alkeme Insurance Services, Inc. — Co-Chair
Elizabeth Goodson, Ghilotti Construction Co.
Chuck Griswold, McSherry & Hudson
Matthew Hennagin, Moss Adams LLP
Jason Herrera, BFBA, LLP
Thomas Kurkjian, DMZ Builders
Michael Landucci, Woodruff-Sawyer & Co.
Melani Rickett, Allen A. Waggoner Construction, Inc.
Keary Sullivan, F & M Bank
Barbara Young, D.W. Young Construction Co., Inc.

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Community

This program is only possible because of the generosity of our Annual Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsors and our Throw Down for Education event sponsors. Their contributions make these awards possible year after year. Thank you also to everyone who joined us at the Throw Down for Education Cornhole Tournament at Wente Vineyards to celebrate this year's class in person.

To our 25 recipients — this scholarship is the beginning of your relationship with UCON, not the end of it. We are proud of you and cannot wait to see what you build next.