Members of the board of the GCA Trades Academy and representatives of FHB presented the five scholarships totaling $5,000 to recipients Nathan Eay, Edna Flores, Christopher Tejada, Leonardo Botelho and Mellanie Pascual.
Earlier this year, FHB donated $18,000 to the Trades Academy. In turn, the Trades Academy turned that money into scholarships to help eligible recipients pay for tuition and education materials.
The first scholarships, totaling $13,000, were awarded earlier in the summer to 13 students.
“It’s a whole lot better than just keeping the money in the bank — we’re investing in people,” said Bert Johnston, education director of the GCA Trades Academy. “And like I mention to the students there, ‘The instruction is very simple – make us proud.’”
Pascual, a 35-year-old mother of three, has been attending the Trades Academy since October of last year. She currently works as a project manager, pursuing project management at the academy to help build her credentials.
“It’s very exciting for me and Edna because we’re girls and we’re into this kind of field where majority of the participants are dominated by males,” said Pascual.
“We’re very excited to be a part of the construction industry,” she added.
Pascual was able to attend the Trades Academy through a grant she obtained, and when she heard of the FHB scholarship, she took the opportunity to apply.
“It’s very helpful, especially if we’re all working, and like me, I’m a mother of three,” she said. “We’re very grateful and thankful for this scholarship.”
