Each year, the PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter offers high school seniors and college students in the Western U.S. the opportunity to compete for $2,000 scholarship awards. Through the application process, the students must present documented interest in pursuing a career related to pile driving; construction management, civil engineering, occupational health and safety are just some examples. In addition to several components of their applications, such as an academic transcript, national testing scores and recommendation letters, the student must also secure a sponsorship from a PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter member. A Chapter scholarship committee reviews all submissions.

The Chapter hosts a large clay shooting event each April to generate funds for the eventual student recipients. Members and industry partners of the PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter generously contribute to participate in the Annual Scholarship Shoot as competitors and sponsors. An auction during the event also raises scholarship dollars.

In 2025, the Chapter scholarship committee reviewed the applications it received by the July 01 deadline, and determined that 10 students from the Western U.S. qualified for the award. Meet the students who are the newest recipients of the annual PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter Scholarship Award:

• Michael Bruin is on track to graduate from the University of Washington in June 2028 with a degree in Engineering. The Honors student is a recipient of the Purple and Gold award and Elks Club Scholar designation. He plays club rugby, and has earned a scholarship from the Husky Rugby Alumni Association. Prior to entering UW, Michael earned Eagle Scout, was a Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, and a peer tutor, among other volunteer initiatives. He returns home to San Leandro, CA while on college breaks; during summers, he has taken jobs as a stadium operations associate for the Oakland Athletics, a facilities maintenance worker at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and in area food service. 
• Marlena Davisson studies Construction Management at Chico State University. The Loomis, CA native is a first-generation college student who has now completed six semesters. She is a member of several professional organizations such as the Women in Construction Club, DBIA, Beavers, and AGC. Marleena also competes in design building competitions and has been named two the Dean's list  two consecutive years. In her own words, she said that stepping onto a job site as an intern for a pile driving contractor was "transformative." Marleena continued; "the Mosquito Road Bridge Project...has given me a front-row seat to the coordination, problem-solving, and teamwork that drive heavy civil construction. Growing up, I never pictured myself working around cranes, concrete pours, and towering bridge piers...it feels like exactly where I'm meant to be." 
• Tonn Griffin is in his second year at Santa Clara University in California, where he is a civil engineering major. While carrying a heavy academic load, Tonn does find time for extra-curricular pursuits and community involvement. He is a leader in a pediatric cancer non-profit foundation formed in honor of his brother who passed away in 2017. There, he has helped raise $750,000. In high school, he was a Dean's List student, National Honor Society member, and filmmaker for the varsity football team. An avid musician, he has pursued violin and guitar, and has ambitions to produce and/or perform. Tonn also gained workforce experience as a valet at a country club and a restaurant assistant manager. He tells PDCA that he became inspired in foundation construction, particularly pile driving, through playing Legos as a child.
• Tyler Kleinsasser from Silverdale, WA is a Civil Engineering, Engineering Management student at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology where he has completed 12 semesters. A repeat winner of the PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter Scholarship Award, Tyler participates in several engineering organizations. He also actively engages in various campus societies, intramural sports, residence life, and student senate, to name a few. Beyond his pursuits in engineering organizations, campus life, and professional development, he generously gives back to communities through volunteerism in food banks, animal shelters, Habitat for Humanity, highway cleanups, and more. Looking ahead, Tyler said; "I aspire to [one day] start my own engineering company specializing in consulting for large infrastructure projects...including those that involve pile driving." 
• Aaralynn McDonald-Shargots from Antioch, CA is seeking to earn a degree in public health from California State Fullerton. Prior to starting college this fall, she was an Honors student in high school, as well as a competitive water sports athlete. She also has served as a children's swim coach and a park district lifeguard. In her essay to the scholarship committee, she indicates that the public health degree she is pursuing can lead her into an important career in safety and accident prevention. In her words; "To protect workers and the masses, public health plays a vital role. Whether it is research or lobbying for proper workplace conditions, the field of public health is necessary to protect workers in the field...it not only creates a safe workplace, it creates a safe community."
• Will Millette has completed three years at Colorado State University where he studies Construction Management. There, he participates in soccer, where he was the JV Captain and JV defensive MVP. His coaches have recognized him for his commitment to the program. A member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, he spends free time fishing, mountain biking and woodworking. Will has also gained workplace experience, having held various part-time jobs and internships. The repeat winner of the PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter Scholarship has worked as a shop helper for a iron works company, a realtor assistant, and a construction project engineer intern. To date, he has gained experience in estimating, surveying, structural engineering and MEP systems. 
• Sergio Gonzalez Pulido of Vallejo, CA has completed nine quarters at California Polytechnic State University where he is a student in the Construction Management program. In addition to pursuing a rigorous academic curriculum, he actively participates in the AGC, a student design-build competition, civic advocacy, and has twice been named to the Dean's List. He also works in the regional construction industry. In anticipation of a career in pile driving, Sergio said; "I see a great opportunity to improve the pile driving process...we can better mitigate the risks for workers around heavy machinery, use smarter equipment that controls the driving force for precisely, and improve coordination from the office to the field." 
• Caden Riddle, another repeat winner of the PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter Scholarship Award, has completed three semesters at Sacramento State University where he is pursuing a degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. He has a long resume of participation in the Franklin Theatre Company where he has acted, ushered, and performed many stagehand duties. He has also been awarded for past performances. Outside of acting, Caden has worked as a Behavior Technician where he specifically has helped children with autism improve their lives. In her letter of recommendation for the PDCA Scholarship, one of his professor's at SSU said; "Caden consistently produced work of the highest caliber in comparison to his peers. He approaches learning with an open and eager mindset, always ready to engage with new ideas, challenges and people." 
• Karen Siqueiros presently attends San Diego Mesa Community College and plans to continue her education at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. She has been actively involved in several extracurricular programs, athletics and community service initiatives. She has also been recognized for her academic performance; as a student, she has recieved the AP Scholar Award, the Principal's Honor, and induction to the National Honor Society. In her scholarship application essay, Karen writes: "We are currently living through what many call the Fourth Industrial Revolution - something the present day workforce hasn't experienced. It's difficult to predict exactly how industries like pile driving will look in 10 to 20 years, but one thing is certain: capital and labor must adapt to an entirely new framework.I want to be part of shaping that future."
• Alonso Velazquez of Woodlake, CA has completed five semesters at California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo, CA, where he studies Construction Management. He is active outside of his normal studies through a variety of organizations such as volunteering at the Woodlake Botanical Gardens, serving on the Board for a student CASA club which provides outreach to hispanic/latino students, and Future Farmers of America. An associate professor from Cal Poly wrote a letter on behalf of Alonso in which she lauded his passion for construction and education; "he engages students and industry members to attend and support club events through their social media channels, thereby increasing participation and fostering a sense of community for construction management students."