Home Builders Association awards scholarships

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The Baldwin County Home Builders Association awarded $8,000 in annual scholarships to local students. Since 1997, the BCHBA has awarded scholarships to deserving students pursuing careers in the home building industry. Qualifying students must be enrolled in construction-related studies in a technical school or college.

To date, the Association has awarded $113,600 in scholarships to help students in Baldwin County prepare for careers in the home building industry. The Association is reaching out to students to encourage them to pursue a career in the building industry. We strive to assist them in their pursuit, whether it be as a builder, architect, engineer, plumber, carpenter, electrician, welder, landscaper, etc. There is a dire need for skilled individuals.

The BCHBA’s 2021 Scholarship Committee included Jeff Frostholm - BCHBA president, Brian Armstrong - BCHBA 1st vice president, Nancy Grace - associate council chairman, Marsha Jordan - executive vice president.

John Ellis Hope

John Ellis attends Auburn University and is majoring in Building Science with a minor in Business. “I have been focusing my studies toward construction Management and have learned it is a very complex field with many variables. After graduation I plan on working for a large construction company to expand my knowledge of construction. After gaining enough experience, I wish to start my own business. I aim to build a small business that will positively impact my family and local community.” The son of John and Sarah Hope of Fairhope, John Ellis is a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity at Auburn and a member of the Associate General Contractors Builders Guild. He is member of the National Honor Society and is on the Dean’s List at Auburn University.

Benjamin Price

Benjamin plans to attend Auburn University and to study biosystems or mechanical engineering. “Having watched custom homes being built for three generations before me, I cannot help but want to carry on the legacy set by my family. I wish to put the same quality into the homes built by my father and grandfather, while also using my biosystem engineering skills to create energy efficient homes.” The son of Chris and Jana Price of Mobile, Benjamin was inducted into the National Honor Society, Quill & Scroll Honor Society and has excelled at Varsity Football and Varsity Track. Benjamin has volunteered for Hurricane Sally cleanup and assisted Volunteers of America. He has worked for his father on jobsites during the summers.

Cole Smith

Cole is plans to attend at University of South Alabama and is studying mechanical engineering. “Since I was a child, both building things and understanding how things work has always intrigued me. A career in engineering could help me further those interests in many ways. I feel like many careers in the homebuilding spectrum teach you valuable life skills. Such skills include a hard work ethic and a very sedulous mindset.” The son of Sandy and Tara Smith of Foley, Cole has been in the National Honors Society since 10th grade. He enjoys auto mechanics, computer programming and building machines and works as a manager at Jimmy Johns.