Copper Basin High School alumna Sydney Hickey is truly building her future— one weld at a time. In 2022, she was awarded a $10,000 Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes Scholarship, support that helped her take the first steps toward a thriving career in the trades.

With the scholarship’s assistance, Sydney graduated debt-free from Tri-County Community College with a diploma in welding, then completed an additional eight-month program to refine her skills. “This scholarship not only supported my education, but it also enabled me to further develop my skills for my future career,” Sydney says. “I am immensely grateful, as I wouldn’t be where I am today without this generous support. It has truly opened doors for me and significantly advanced my professional opportunities.”

Following her studies, Sydney gained valuable experience at Panel Built before joining a welding and millwright company. Today, she is thriving in her role, working with industrial piping and large machinery while continuing to expand her knowledge and expertise in the field. For Sydney, the scholarship meant more than financial relief—it was a launching pad for her career.

With her skills, determination, and growing experience, she is well on her way to building not just a profession, but a strong and lasting future.