The $1,000 scholarships and $500 tool grants support New England students advancing inclusion, access, and opportunity in the skilled trades.
Brockton, MA — NorthEast Electrical, a Sonepar company, today announced the recipients of its 2026 Community Scholarships and Tool Grants, an annual initiative supporting graduating high school seniors across New England.
Now in its fifth year, the program awarded seven $1,000 scholarships and six $500 tool grants to students representing each of the six New England states, including a dedicated scholarship for a Brockton High School senior. Submissions were evaluated based on student perspectives on inclusion and how those experiences will inform their future careers.
Across the nearly 100 submissions, students shared firsthand experiences working alongside diverse teams, entering traditionally underrepresented roles, and actively creating space for peers who felt overlooked or isolated. Common themes include the importance of intentional mentorship, adapting communication to support others, and fostering environments where individuals feel respected, valued, and able to contribute.
“Each year, we’re encouraged by the level of thought these students bring to the future of our workforce. This group demonstrated a clear understanding that strong teams are built through inclusion, accountability, and respect,” commented Frank Marandino, president of NorthEast Electrical. “Their experiences show that the next generation is not only preparing for careers, but they’re also shaping what those workplaces will look like.”
The Community Scholarships & Grants program is supported in part by NorthEast’s employee resource groups, reflecting the company’s continued focus on building a more inclusive and sustainable workforce.
For more information about the program, visit: NorthEast Electrical Community Scholarships & Grants.
2026 Scholarship Recipients
- Mason Hill, Newington High School, Connecticut
- Gabriella Monteiro, Thayer Academy, Massachusetts
- Laelani Morris, Sanford High School, Maine
- Manafshay Shahzad, Manchester Memorial High School, New Hampshire
- Camden Bannister, Portsmouth High School, Rhode Island
- Aya Addington, Burr and Burton Academy, Vermont
Brockton High School Scholarship Recipient
- Maxwell Bassett, Brockton High School, Massachusetts
Tool Grant Recipients
- Raella Wyszynski, Tantasqua Regional High School, Massachusetts
- Kavan Jacques, Howell Cheney Technical High School, Connecticut
- Braydon Lavoie, Gorham Middle High School, New Hampshire
- Owen Capurso, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Tech, Massachusetts
- Cole Whittaker, Salem High School, New Hampshire
- Zachary Fralick, Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, Massachusetts
About NorthEast Electrical
NorthEast Electrical is a full-service electrical distributor providing products and services to electrical contractors, industrial, OEM, utility, and institutional customers. With 40 branches across New England, the company is committed to delivering exceptional service and supporting the next generation of skilled professionals. NorthEast Electrical has been a subsidiary of Sonepar USA since 1998.
NorthEast Electrical Is Part of the Sonepar Group
Sonepar is an independent family-owned company standing as the world leader in B2B distribution of electrical equipment, solutions, and services. In 2025, Sonepar achieved sales of $37.9 billion.*
Present in 40 countries with a dense network of brands, the Group is leading an ambitious transformation to make its customers’ lives easier, providing them an omnichannel experience and sustainable solutions in the building, industry, and energy markets.
Sonepar’s 46,000 associates are committed to accelerating the world’s electrification and driven by a shared Purpose: Powering Progress for Future Generations.
Sonepar entered the US in 1998 and has continued to grow due to strategic acquisitions and organic growth. Today, Sonepar serves the market through a network of companies with over 571 locations nationwide and 12,700 associates.
For more information, visit www.soneparusa.com.
Figure converted to dollars from €33.6 billion at 1.129 EUR/USD average rate.