UCAC has awarded scholarships to children and stepchildren of UCAC members for many years. The members, board and staff of UCAC take great pride in the Scholarship Program and the support the organization provides to students just starting out.
In 2022, UCAC developed a second Scholarship Program. In addition to our traditional College Scholarships for children and stepchildren of members, we began a new Scholarship Program for students of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS). UCAC is proud to be able to continue to provide support for our members’ children and to be contributing to workforce development in Connecticut as we partner with CTECS to award funds to students pursuing careers in the trades.
Questions about either program may be directed to Barb Dimauro, UCAC Executive Director, by emailing ed@ucac.org or calling 860.631.7473.
2025 UCAC/CTECS Scholarship Winners
UCAC Member Winnners:
Avery LaFata / Guilford High / A&D Equipment
Mackenzie Baretta / Rockville High / Mizzy Construction
CTECS Winners:
Dakota Bachman / Welding / Bristol Tech
James Bennett / Carpentry / Henry Abbott Tech
Jameson Courtois / Automotive Technology / Windham Tech
Matthew Curley / Automotive Collision, Repair & Refinishing / Platt Tech
Daniela De Oliveira / Architecture / Platt Tech
Kay Gamache / Electrical / Windham Tech
Jordan Morataya / Masonry / Bullard – Havens Tech
Benjamin Prince / HVAC / Vinal Tech
Travis Ryley / Plumbing & Heating / H.H. Ellis Tech
TRADITIONAL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
Children and step-children of UCAC members are encouraged to apply for a traditional college scholarship this year. Applicants must be children or stepchildren of a UCAC member in good standing and be a high school senior preparing to attend college in the fall of 2025. The dollar amount of UCAC’s Traditional College Scholarships varies based on the number of applicants each year and is at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee and the Board of Directors.
Please note: all applications must be completed in full including the submission of an essay and transcript by the deadline. Students selected are always required to attend the UCAC Scholarship Dinner in order to receive their awards. This year’s dinner will be held on April 23rd, 2026 at the Farmington Polo Club.
Applications will open January 7th, 2026 and close on March 13th, 2026.
CTECS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
STUDENTS APPLYING FOR THE UCAC/CTECS SCHOLARSHIPS DO NOT NEED TO BE PURSUING A COLLEGE DEGREE.
CTECS teachers and department heads will be contacted directly with instructions for submitting scholarship recommendations.
Senior students of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System in the following programs are eligible to win a cash award in 2026. Scholarships are awarded as checks up to $1,000.
- Architecture
- Automotive Collision, Repair & Refinishing
- Automotive Technology
- Carpentry
- Diesel and Heavy-Duty Equipment Repair
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Masonry
- Plumbing & Heating
- Welding & Metal Fab
UCAC will award up to ten (10) cash awards to CTECS students in 2026. Scholarship recommendations will be requested by teachers and department heads at all CTECS schools.
Please note: all applications must be completed in full including the submission of an essay by the deadline. Students selected are always required to attend the UCAC Scholarship Dinner in order to receive their awards. This year’s dinner will be held on April 23rd, 2026 at the Farmington Polo Club.
Applications will open on January 7th, 2026 and are due on March 13th, 2026.
2026 Winners
Ethan Dion
Ethan plans to continue his career as a welder, and eventually grow his skills in other trades as well. His instructor described him as a student who goes above and beyond and is always helping other students.
Rylie Finch
After graduation, Rylie plans to attend the Wentworth Institute of Technology to study Architecture. Her instructor wrote that she is by far one of the most gifted artists and designers she has ever had in class.
Alex Flores
Alex’s shop instructor noted that he is a highly motivated, self-advocate who is passionate about his trade. After graduation, he plans to use the scholarship money to purchase tools as he pursues his CDL.
Myla Giannelli
Myla would like to continue learning after graduation through hands-on experience as a welder. Her instructor noted how her skills, attention to detail, consistency, leadership, and teamwork have made her an excellent student.
Istvan Hatlackzy
Istvan will continue learning his trade post-high school through hands-on experience in the electrical field. He hopes to be able to use his skills to benefit and give back to his community.
Alexa Hercules
As the first person in her class to start working as a plumbing apprentice, Alexa already has an impressive 2,400 hours towards her plumbing license. After graduation, Alexa plans to continue to work for Mechanical Plumbing and Heating, based in Hamden CT.
Jack Hilinski Elyosius
Jack will continue working towards his S2 license, with the goal of eventually starting his own business. His instructor said that he has been consistently impressed by Jack’s academic dedication, strong work ethic, and positive attitude.
Haley Pascarella
Haley hopes to use her carpentry skills to help her become an interior designer/decorator. As a carpentry student, she never shyed away from a challenge – even completing a full renovation of a bathroom.
Peyton Plourde
Peyton plans to attend college in the fall to study Management. He hopes to combine his college education and hands-on experience to learn how to manage a construction company.
Jameson Proulx
Jameson plans to use his education to begin working in the masonry field. In his free time he enjoys fishing and playing basketball with friends.
Olivia Serrambana
Olivia will begin attending the University of Delaware in the fall. There, she will major in Criminal Justice with the goal of becoming an attorney. In high school, she participated in several clubs and volunteered for organizations like the Alzheimer’s Walk. In her free time she enjoys dancing, hiking, and getting involved in her community.
Bryan Wood
After he graduates, Bryan wants to work in the Collision Repair field while attending college to continue to study Automotive Repair.
Bryan’s instructor wrote that he is the hardest working student he’s ever had.
A History of UCAC Scholarship Recipients
2025
Avery LaFata (Guilford High / A&D Equipment)
Mackenzie Baretta (Rockville High / Mizzy Construction) Dakota Bachman (Bristol Tech)
James Bennett (Henry Abbott Tech)
Jameson Courtois (Windham Tech)
Matthew Curley (Platt Tech)
Daniela De Oliveira (Platt Tech)
Kay Gamache (Windham Tech)
Jordan Morataya (Havens Tech)
Benjamin Prince (Vinal Tech)
Travis Ryley (H.H. Ellis Tech)
2024
Gigi Dimauro (Audience Development Strategies)
2023
2022
Alyssa Abbe (Quaboag Regional High School/Able Tool)
Jack Borgersen (Platt)
Amiyah Campbell (Bullard-Havens)
Gavin Carter (E.C. Goodwin)
Paola Alexandra Luna Castro (Platt)
Imraan Mohammed Feroz (Kaynor)
Jack Garrity (Simsbury High School/Garrity Asphalt)
Aiden Hoyt (Vinal)
Marissa Ann Laitres-Wakefield (Ellis)
Tiffany Marchand (Eli Whitney)
Jillian Marcotte (Woodstock Academy/W.I. Clark)
Jeileanys Ojeda (Kaynor)
PJ Seiler (Henry Abbott)
William Tousignant (Conard High School/Garrity Asphalt)
2021
Alexia Adams (Woodstock Academy/VMS Construction)
Brooke LaDuke (Cromwell High School/W.I. Clark)
James Vicente (Avon High School/VMS Construction)
2020
Olivia Bates (Mercy High School/Ferguson Waterworks)
John Johnston (Simsbury High School/Talcott View Development)
Justin Marcotte (Woodstock Academy/W.I. Clark) FOUNDATIONS SCHOLARSHP RECIPIENT
Raegan Moore (Coginchaug Regional High School/United Concrete)
Jack Tousignant (Conard High School/Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming)
2019
Ethan Adams (Woodstock Academy/VMS Construction)
Grace Hurlburt (Ellington High School/W.I. Clark)
Owen Lacourciere (Lewis Mills High School/Superior Products Distributors)
Michael Stamm (Northwest Catholic High School/Stamm Construction) FOUNDATIONS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
2018
Avery Garrity (Simsbury High School/Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming)
Lilliana Murdy (Lyman Hall High School/LaRosa Construction)
Alexandra Tousignant (Conard High School/Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming)
2017
Madeline Manfredonia
Eric Mockovak
Riley Shanley
