The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the MRCA, issued more than a dozen academic scholarships to the next potential generation of roofing contractors. 

One of the foundation's missions is to provide financial assistance to MRCA member company employees and their families pursuing higher education at an accredited university or trade school. 

• Brynn Marshall - GAF, Parsippany, N.J.
• Chase Taylor - R. Adams Roofing Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.
• David Henry - Everest Systems, LLC, Houston, Texas
• Garrett Pesch - Berwald Roofing Co., Inc., St. Paul, Minn.
• Grace Baker - Kalkreuth Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Lexington, Ken.
• Grace Rucka - Malarkey Roofing Products, Portland, OR
• Jacob Haley - Kalkreuth Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Wheeling, W.V.
• Kacie Learman - Korellis Roofing Inc., Hammond, Ind.
• Kurt Kreuger - TRUFAST, Bryan, Ohio
• Laurelyn Harris - Hausman Metal Works & Roofing Inc., St. Joseph, Mo.
• Lucian Yerger - Claims Settlement LLC, Newaygo, Mich.
• Mirabellah Hernandez - Korellis Roofing Inc., Hammond, Ind.
• Sydney Baxter - O'Hara's Son Roofing, Chicago, Ill.
• Tyler Niznick - BL Dalsin Roofing, Minneapolis, Minn.
• Viviana Bahena - Ridgeworth Roofing Co., Inc., Frankfort, Ill.
• Zakary Green - Korellis Roofing Inc., Hammond, Ind.

Scholarship winners were selected on the basis of academic performance, employment experience, financial need, letters of recommendation, and a demonstrated desire to pursue higher education. 

Also this year, the MRCA awarded the first-ever Gwaltney Family Scholarship to Tyce Melvin, who is affiliated with Roofmasters Roofing & Sheet Metal in Hays, Kan. 

The Gwaltney Family has been an active part of the leadership of the MRCA for years until the passing of former MRCA President Kevin Gwaltney, who died in 2023. 

He, his late father, Rick, and his late Uncle, Mark, all stood for education, and they supported elevating the level of professionalism in the roofing industry. 

Organization officials said they had a strong belief in self-improvement through education and training. The Gwaltney family was always a strong supporter of the Annual MRCA Foundation Auction, which raises funds for scholarships.

"MRCA executive board felt that this dedication needed to be memorialized, and that the best way would be to designate each year one of the MRCA Foundation Scholarships in the name of the Gwaltney Family," the association said in a news release.