LCEF awards Women in Industry Scholarships to three Louisiana students
Date postedApril 21, 2026
The Louisiana Construction Education Foundation (LCEF), in partnership with the Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) and New Orleans Region Industry Alliance (NORIA), is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Women in Industry Scholarships. This year’s scholarship winners are Ryleigh Dedon of St. Gabriel, Tatianna White of White Castle, and Emersen Tregre of Luling.
The Women in Industry Scholarship program provides financial assistance to female high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education in fields that support Louisiana’s industrial and construction workforce. The program is funded by LCEF and administered by GBRIA as part of its broader Women in Industry initiative.
“These scholarships represent an investment in the future of Louisiana’s industrial workforce and in the next generation of talented women pursuing meaningful careers in the industry,” said Tim Harris, LCEF Board Chair.
Each recipient demonstrated strong academic achievement, leadership, and a clear commitment to pursuing careers aligned with Louisiana’s industrial sector:
Ryleigh Dedon (top), a senior at East Iberville High School, plans to attend Baton Rouge Community College to pursue a business and technical degree. She maintained a 4.0 GPA and was actively involved in varsity softball, powerlifting, wrestling, Beta Club, and the National Honor Society.
Tatianna White (middle), a senior at White Castle High School, plans to attend Southern University to study engineering. She participated in her school’s marching band, student government, and the Jump Start internship program, while also completing process technology college coursework.
Emersen Tregre (bottom), a senior at Hahnville High School, will attend Louisiana State University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. She maintained a 4.41 GPA and was involved in numerous organizations, including Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, and varsity softball, while also completing engineering coursework through the St. Charles Parish Satellite Center.
The scholarship program builds on the success of the Women in Industry Forum, which connects female high school students with industry professionals through hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities. Each year, the forum hosts hundreds of students across Baton Rouge and New Orleans, encouraging them to explore careers in STEM and craft careers.
The Women in Industry Scholarship supports students pursuing degrees in construction management, engineering, process technology, industrial safety, logistics, and environmental science at accredited Louisiana institutions. The program aims to strengthen the state’s workforce pipeline by encouraging more women to enter high-demand industrial careers.
Applications are evaluated based on academic achievement, career goals, leadership experience, financial need, and participation in the Women in Industry Forum.
For more information about the Women in Industry program or future scholarship opportunities, check the GBRIA, NORIA, and LCEF social media pages for updates.
About LCEF
Since 2009, the Louisiana Construction Education Foundation has invested more than $1.16 million to support workforce and career‑technical education, helping build strong talent pipelines and strengthen communities across Louisiana. Learn more at www.lceftoday.org.
Since 2009, the Louisiana Construction Education Foundation has invested more than $1.16 million to support workforce and career‑technical education, helping build strong talent pipelines and strengthen communities across Louisiana. Learn more at www.lceftoday.org.
About GBRIA & NORIA
For more than 55 years, the Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance has united industry leaders, contractors, and suppliers to develop solutions to shared challenges.
For more than 55 years, the Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance has united industry leaders, contractors, and suppliers to develop solutions to shared challenges.
Through the New Orleans Industry Alliance, we are expanding that collaboration across Southeast Louisiana, now representing approximately 80 facilities spanning petrochemical, paper, pharmaceutical, storage, and other manufacturing sectors. Learn more at www.gbria.org or www.noria.la.