Poettker Construction awarded four $500 scholarships to high school seniors through the company’s NextGen program. Rooted in its Community Engagement Core Value and dedication to educating students and teachers about construction, Poettker Construction founded its NextGen community outreach program to support hands-on learning, student resources, and future workforce development.

“At Poettker, we believe early exposure to construction, along with hands-on learning, inspires students and supports the future of our industry and communities,” said Jon Carroll, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Poettker Construction. “Through NextGen, we’re blessed to support schools with resources that enhance student learning and to recognize the next generation of construction professionals. These grants and scholarships reflect our commitment to making a meaningful impact where we live and work.”

Poettker prides itself on preparing the next generation of leaders. This year, Poettker awarded scholarships to the following high school students planning to pursue a college degree or trade school certification in construction or a related field:

Ethan Habermehl, Columbia High School 

Ethan Habermehl, a senior at Columbia High School, received a $500 NextGen scholarship to put toward a degree in Civil Engineering from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Owen Menke, Columbia High School

Owen Menke, a senior at Columbia High School, received a $500 NextGen scholarship to put toward a Construction Management degree from Missouri State University.

Titan Hires, Litchfield High School

Titan Hires, a senior at Litchfield High School, received a $500 NextGen scholarship to put toward his Business Management degree at Rockford University.

Zachary Duffie, Freeburg High School

Zachary Duffie, a senior at Freeburg High School, received a $500 NextGen scholarship to put toward a Construction Management degree from Southeast Missouri State University.

NextGen also serves as a platform for educating students about the industry. Poettker hosts project site tours for students and faculty, engages students in hands-on STEM activities, drone demonstrations, and hosts important construction milestone events, such as groundbreakings and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.