NARI-BIE Honors Three Local Students at Robert T. Palladino Memorial Scholarship Dinner

On Tuesday, June 21, NARI-BIE presented three local students with the Robert T. Palladino Memorial Scholarship. Students who are enrolled in four local high schools offering career preparatory programs in the building and remodeling trades are eligible for the award: Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center, Pottstown High School, Technical College High School, and Berks Technical Institute. One student from each school is selected by a school counselor based on the following criteria:

· Current student in a building trades program

· Potential to succeed in a building trades career

· Demonstrates community involvement

· Scholastic average of ‘C’ or better

The 2016 Robert T. Palladino Memorial Scholarship recipients were Zachary Soltis (Berks Technical Institute), Eric Mettler (Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center), and Daniel Garcia (Pottstown High School).

Zachary Soltis takes pride in working with his hands and giving back to the community.

Zachary proudly serves as a volunteer firefighter at the Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company where he plays a vital role in the protection, preservation and well-being of the residents in the Womelsdorf Borough, Heidelberg Township, and surrounding communities.

Zachary is determined to enhance his electrical and construction skills to the master level. He will continue his education at the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

Zachary is a graduate of Conrad Weiser High School and the Berks Technical Institute where he has seen many successes, including earning his NCCER certification and Hazmat Operations training. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and girlfriend.

Eric Mettler is dedicated to serving his community and is passionate about woodworking.

After completing 190 hours at the Fire Academy, Eric proudly serves his community as a firefighter at the Amity Fire Company. As a member of the Amity Fire Company, he helps to protect Amity and Douglass Townships.

Eric is a graduate of Spring Ford High School and the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center where he developed a passion for woodworking. In order to fulfill his dreams of opening his own cabinet making and metal working business, he has decided to continue his education at the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

Eric is a WMCTC Skills USA member and competitor where he was awarded a silver medal for carpentry at the District Championships. He also has earned several Student of the Quarter Awards for carpentry levels one, two, and three.

Daniel Garcia will take his passion for constructional engineering all the way to Williamson College of Trades on a full-ride scholarship.

Daniel is dedicated to reaching his goals of becoming successful in all of his endeavors in order to pave the way for his family members to follow their own dreams. Selfless and compassionate, his greatest accomplishment to date is overcoming the odds and earning a scholarship to attend Williamson College of Trades. Daniel looks forward to enhancing his engineering skills, allowing him to create beautiful crafts that will benefit the community.

An active member of the community, Daniel has participated in two plays, numerous volunteer services, color and honor guard, and the building of the Santa Shed for the Borough of Pottstown. Daniel has also earned various awards including the Henry A. Arms Award, Rotary Club Award, and the Construction Technology Award.

Daniel is a recent graduate of Pottstown High School and is the third member of his family to graduate from high school and the second member of his family to be accepted into a higher education program.

NARI-BIE board member Charles Palladino presented each recipient with a scholarship of $250 to be used for continuing their education. Recipients also received a one year student membership to NARI-BIE, including opportunities for networking, continuing education, and internship possibilities.

The Robert T. Palladino Memorial Scholarship was founded in 1994 to honor the ideals of Robert T. Palladino, an exemplary businessman, trade specialist, and community servant who operated his family’s second generation roofing business before his untimely passing.

At the national level, workforce development remains a top priority for NARI and at the local level, NARI-BIE has the unique opportunity to support local students pursuing higher education within the trades.

Founded in 1952 as the Building Industries Exchange, and affiliating with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry in 2012, NARI-BIE is a local not-for-profit trade association dedicated to promoting integrity in the local building trades and enhancing professionalism in the remodeling industry. Through their membership, NARI-BIE members are bound by a code of ethics, and have access to the latest information in the industry through publications, educational programs, education seminars, and conferences. Learn more about NARI-BIE on their website, www.nari-bie.org, or call 610-323-1700 for more information.