Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes

From scholarship recipient to construction management graduate 🎓

In 2022, Rob Russell was awarded the Future of Our Trades Scholarship through the Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes. Today, he has officially graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management and has accepted a position as a Project Manager with Blount Excavating in Maryville, Tennessee.

Rob and his family shared how grateful they are for the support and contribution the Parade of Homes made in helping him achieve this milestone. Stories like his are exactly why the Future of Our Trades Scholarship was created — to invest in the next generation of skilled professionals and help open doors for their future.

We are proud to celebrate Rob’s accomplishments and excited to see where this next chapter takes him. Congratulations, Rob!

Congratulations to the 2026 Future of Our Trades Scholarship recipients! 🎉

At our 7th Annual Scholarship Banquet, we were honored to recognize an incredible group of students representing the future of the skilled trades. These young men and women have demonstrated dedication, work ethic, and a passion for building what’s next—and we’re proud to support their journey.

🎓Fannin County High School
Conner Bramlett
Aiden Carder
Chase DeMar
Sydney German
Hudson York

🎓Union County High School
Morgan Collins
Alban “Trey” Hawley
Daniel McPhee
Maddox Patton

🎓Gilmer High School
Noah Davis
Caleb Foster
Gael Landaverde
Taylor Woody
Carson Farist
John “JP” Ponders

🎓Pickens High School - Jasper, Georgia
Edgar Gonzalez
Johnathan Rodney

🎓Copper Basin High School
Emily Mundy

We would also like to recognize this year’s second-round scholarship recipients—students who continue to excel and further their education in the trades:

📝Jack Hyatt (FCHS)
🦺Carder Farist (GHS)
🛠️Miguel Salto (PHS)

A special thank you to the incredible CTAE teachers who continue to invest in and guide these students every day:

Terry Flowers (FCHS)
Gavin King, Charlie Cattanach & Charles Floyd (UCHS)
BJ Chancey (GHS)
Dennis Wilson (PHS)
Jamie English (CBHS)

Congratulations again to all of our recipients and their families! We can’t wait to see what your future holds.