Scholarships allow Lely resident to build on future

At age 19, Chris Fusco already is an assistant project manager for Suffolk/Kraft Construction.

Now, two scholarships he has received will help him build on the future.

Fusco, a Marco resident, recently graduated from Lely High School with a 3.5 grade point average. He participated in Lely's Academy for Architecture, Construction and Engineering for four years. The academy began at Lely in 1999 and was the first established chapter of the Future Builders of America. His involvement with the construction academy helped him receive $2,000 in scholarships.

Fusco received a $1,000 scholarship from the Collier Building Industry Association and $1,000 from Future Builders of America. The scholarships were granted after an evaluation of Fusco's grades and recommendation letters.

He received recommendations from Greg Foot, his construction teacher; Al Zichella, president of the Collier Building Industry Association board of directors and an active member of Future Builders of America; and Joe Stamp, his boss.

Fusco was among eight other Collier County students to receive scholarships for their future construction-related careers June 1 at the Hilton Naples & Towers.

Currently he is helping to build Ave Maria University northeast of Naples. The $140 million project is one of the largest single projects in South Florida.

"The work ethic for a kid his age is incredible," Stamp said.

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX, Marco Eagle

Chris Fusco, a multiple scholarship winner, is anticipating heading to Florida Gulf Coast University to study civil engineering. An artist as well, Fusco is standing in front of one of his paintings.

Stamp was impressed to have someone as young as Fusco eager to learn a skill set.

"To have someone interested at such an early age, line 'em up, I'll take 10, please," he said.

Fusco watched home improvement shows when he was young and likes to work with his hands.

He said he originally leaned toward architecture because he likes reading blue prints and using CAD, a drafting program.

Then he discovered that civil engineering lets him do both of those things along with field work.

He was able to work with the CAD program when he attended the Future Builders of America camp. The construction camp begin in 2004 and Fusco was able to attend three years.

The three-day camp teaches students Construction 101 and hands-on experience. He will be a counselor at the camp next year.

Fusco will attend Florida Gulf Coast University this fall to work toward a degree in civil engineering.

Through his job and the construction academy he has learned how a project goes from the ground up. He likes being involved with the building process.

"It's seeing things built in front of your eyes and knowing you are a part of it," Fusco said.