Investing in the next generation

To continue meeting the widespread and varying demands of South Carolina’s aggregates industry, we must start equipping our future leaders. One of the ways SCAA is doing that is through awarding scholarships to individuals pursuing a career in the aggregates industry.

To be eligible, applicants must be admitted to an accredited institution of higher learning (technical school, community college or a four-year university/college). Eligible to employees of a member company who are going back to school to further their career or students that are pursuing a professional field of mineral extraction or one that supports this field.

This video is more than just a celebration of their hard work and dedication-it’s a powerful glimpse into the passion, vision, and drive that will shape tomorrow’s leaders. From their inspiring personal stories to their bold plans for the future, the video truly captures the diverse talent and potential that makes this year’s group so exceptional.

$30,000 awarded in scholarships 2025 to 20 recipients:

• Aiden Adkins – Mining Engineering at University of Kentucky

• Andrew Barksdale – Mining Engineering at Virginia Tech

• Austin Hawkins – Civil Engineering at Clemson University

• Avren Zimmerman -Mining Engineering at University of Kentucky

• Brooklyn Cornwell – Sustainability and Coastal Resilience at Coastal Carolina University

• Claire Leuthner-Barrineau -Earth and Environmental Science and History at Furman University

• Conner Miller – Construction Management at Kennesaw State University

• Dutch Richards – Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology

• Eli Bowers – Diesel Mechanic at Florence Darlington Technical College

• Ethan Black – Engineering at Virginia Tech

• Heather Surdyka – Computer Science at Clemson University

• Hunter Morton – Masters of Business Administration in Wake Forest University

• Jaylan Hulon – CAT Diesel Technology at Florence Darlington Technical College

• Joel Smith – Welding at Spartanburg Community College

• Katie Riedel – Psychology at Clemson University

• Kayla Palacio – Environmental and Natural Resources at Clemson University

• Landon Evans – Construction Management at University of North Carolina Charlotte

• Malik Robinson – Business Administration at New River Technical Community College

• Parker Cole – CAT Diesel Technology at Florence Darlington Technical College

• Reagan Cooke – Business Management and Entrepreneurship at University of Tennessee

$7500 awarded in scholarships in 2023 to 7 recipients:

• Ada Smith – Biosystems Engineering at Clemson University

• Brett Pate – Business Marketing at Clemson University

• Emma Grace Primm – Elementary Education at East Carolina University

• Jacob Viets – Diesel Technology at Florence-Darlington Technical College

• Kensley Dantzler – Civil Engineering at Clemson University

• Logan Pate – Business Marketing at Clemson University

• Paris Bostic – Diesel Technology at Florence-Darlington Technical College

Scholarship application is open now until June 19, 2026