CFCC Student Receives Inaugural Scholarship
While weighing career possibilities, Maria Torres decided to take the masonry course offered at her high school. That’s when she discovered she had a knack for brick masonry. Torres enjoyed masonry so much that she studied it throughout high school.
Encouraged by her masonry teacher, Torres entered 25 masonry competitions. She won several awards and was even featured in Masonry Magazine . And after her last competition in high school, she was offered a job and went straight to work after graduation.
But while working for Carolina Masonry Unlimited for two years, her high school instructor encouraged her to attend college. He recognized her talents and knew she would do great things.
Building Credentials with Financial Support
Torres heeded his advice, and with help from a grant from the Home Builders Association, she enrolled in CFCC’s Construction Management program . Pursuing her associate degree in Construction Management opened more doors for Torres, but it didn’t come easy.
I had many obstacles to overcome while attending college. I was trying to work full-time; I would drive an hour and thirty minutes every day to go to work and school. After a while, it got overwhelming.
But after accepting an internship at Monteith Construction Corporation, Torres learned about the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and a new scholarship they were offering for women in the construction industry.
NAWIC Wilmington Cape Fear Chapter #390’s mission statement is to strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry. The group spent the past year fundraising on giving back to the community. Through the CFCC Foundation, NAWIC established a scholarship.
National Association of Women in Construction presents Maria Torres, CFCC construction management student inaugural scholarship.
“Presenting the check to Maria Torres was heartwarming,” said NAWIC Director Taylor King. “She deserves every single penny of the grant. We cannot wait to watch her grow into her career and will continue to support her in any way we can.”
Torres was surprised and excited to be the first recipient of this scholarship offering at CFCC.
The Impact of Support
“I feel like I can progress more with this scholarship,” Torres shared. “I am so grateful. Now I can finish my construction management degree and work toward my architectural degree.”
CFCC has prepared Torres for a great career. As she approaches graduation, Torres has already received multiple job offers. Among them are offered from Monteith, Citadel Masonry, and an inspector job in Raleigh. She has many options to consider for her future.
