For 20 years, the Davis Memorial Foundation has supported loved ones of roofing contractors across the country in their efforts to achieve academic degrees in order to further their careers in the industry. Since its inception following the tragic deaths of Larry and Mary Davis in a plane crash in 1995, the foundation – a non-profit operated by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSCRA) – has helped 300 students strive for academic success.

Through the generosity of roofing contractors and other industry professionals, the scholarship program has grown from a $5,000 grant to $50,000 in 2017, said WSRCA Executive Director Tom Papas, a scholarship foundation trustee as well as its administrator. Each of this year’s winners received a $5,000 grant toward their studies.

The 2017 scholarship recipients are:

Lauren Barker, of Eagle, Idaho - Oregon State University

Ashlyn Diana Clark, of Provo, Utah - Brigham Young University

Spencer Clay, of Portland, Ore. - Oregon State University

Turner Gill, of Atlanta - Holy Innocents Episcopal School

Paola Flores Gomez, of Oakland, Calif. - Oakland Charter High School

Jared Daniel Grady, of Phoenix, Ariz. - University of Arizona

Suezanne Hall, of Spartanburg, S.C. - Gettys D. Broome High School

Avery Janelle McFarlin, of Abilene, Texas - Abilene Christian University

Molly Nelson, of The Dalles, OR - The Dalles High School

Christopher Kuhn, of Uniontown, Ohio - Lake High School

Papas said he hopes to expand the program in the future through more outreach and funds raised over the weekend at multiple events preceding the Western Roofing Expo in Las Vegas, like the Davis Memorial Silent Auction Sunday night.