MCIA/NRMCA concrete scholarships awarded

Three Mississippi high school students recently won college scholarships for demonstrating their knowledge of concrete's role as a building material in the MCIA/NRMCA High School Essay Contest.

Megan McKenzie of Brandon High School received the first place $1,000 scholarship; Andrew Jones of Presbyterian Christian High School received the second place $300 scholarship; and Ellen Johnson of Presbyterian Christian High School received the third place $200 scholarship.

In 2001, the Mississippi Concrete Industries Association (MCIA) joined the National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA) to offer an annual state essay writing contest for high school students. The state's first place winner receives a $1,000 scholarship and the essay is forwarded to NRMCA for the national contest, where the student can win up to $5,000 more.

Each year's MCIA state contest is judged by a team of concrete industry personnel. The 2004/05 MCIA contest judges included Russell Evans of Lucedale Ready Mix, Shane Huff of MMC Materials, Mark Jarrett of B&B Concrete Company and Nick Maloof of Master Builders.