Kickapoo senior awarded Build My Future scholarship to pursue construction career

The Build My Future Board awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Kickapoo High School senior who plans to major in construction management. William Blaine will receive the award as he furthers his education at Missouri State University in the fall.

Blaine attended Build My Future for the first time on March 27 in Springfield and was inspired to go into construction management after talking to people in the skilled trades.

“I really enjoyed talking to the local plumber’s union and trying out welding,” he said. “I realized I wanted to be on construction job sites interacting with people. I think I am a good leader, and I can see myself overseeing job sites someday.”

Blaine is no stranger to hard work. He has a 3.94 GPA and owns his own lawn mowing business.

“I love doing anything outside and I am an avid hunter, fisher and hiker,” he added.

Build My Future is a 501(c)(3) organization formed to promote careers in the construction industry specifically to high school students. The inaugural construction industry showcase event was held in 2017 in Springfield and has since expanded nationally to 11 states in addition to numerous events in Missouri.

“I am very thankful to get this scholarship,” said Blaine. “I would encourage students to go to Build My Future and learn about the construction industry and the skilled trades. It was really cool talking to people about their jobs.”

For more information on Build My Future visit www.buildmyfuture.net.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Kickapoo senior William Blaine awarded Build My Future scholarship