Announcing the 2026 Zabar Scholars
For six years, the Preservation League has awarded cash scholarships to outstanding students studying historic preservation or related fields in New York State. The Zabar Family Scholarship Program, established by former League Trustee Lori Zabar, continues her legacy by investing in the next generation of preservation leaders.
Each year, the League's scholarship jury is inspired by the dedication, creativity, and ambition demonstrated by the applicants. This year's applicant pool once again prompted thoughtful discussion among reviewers. We are delighted to announce the 2026 Zabar Family Scholars — three individuals whose work reflects a deep commitment to the stewardship of our shared heritage.
Meet this year's recipients:
Jonah Cadorette (Skidmore College)
Jonah Cadorette is a senior at Skidmore College who will graduate this May with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and music. Arriving on campus with a growing interest in carpentry and woodworking, he quickly began building connections with Saratoga Joinery, a community woodworking shop, and Tall Pine Timber Frames LLC (TPTF), a local timber framing company. These experiences helped shape his plans to pursue timber framing and restoration carpentry after graduation. Through both academic and hands-on learning, Jonah has come to see labor as its own form of knowledge, and he views the preservation of traditional trades as a way to safeguard and pass forward valuable cultural practices. This summer, he will participate in the Heartwood School’s apprentice program, and he is grateful to the Zabar Family Scholarship and the Preservation League of New York for helping make this opportunity more financially accessible.
Jeremiah O. Ojo (SUNY Westchester Community College)
Jeremiah Ojo is currently enrolled in the Historic Preservation Certificate program at SUNY Westchester, where his work sits at the intersection of materials science, digital technology, and cultural equity. After a professional career in arts administration and public policy, Jeremiah redirected his focus toward the technical conservation and climate resilience of earthen vernacular architecture. He is currently pursuing a self-directed technical fellowship that combines hands-on conservation training — including participation in the 2026 TICRAT (International Workshop on the Conservation and Restoration of Earthen Architecture) — with advanced documentation tools such as LiDAR and photogrammetry. Working in partnership with Historic Geneva, Jeremiah is documenting and analyzing the rare nineteenth-century “unburnt brick” cottages of New York’s Finger Lakes region. Through this work, he hopes to connect emerging digital technologies with practical preservation strategies for vulnerable earthen structures.
Ashlyn Pause (Columbia University)
Ashlyn Pause is a second-year student in Columbia University’s M.S. program in Historic Preservation. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Historic Preservation & Community Planning and Classics from the College of Charleston. Her professional experience includes conservation internships with Jablonski Building Conservation and the Charleston Library Society, as well as research positions with the Preservation Society of Charleston and the City of Charleston’s Records Management Division. Ashlyn’s graduate research investigates the role of high-pressure laminates (HPL), commonly known as “Formica,” in twentieth-century American architecture. Through historical research and materials testing, she examines how changes in the material’s composition have affected its durability and survival, advocating for greater recognition and preservation of this often-overlooked material amid ongoing demolition trends.
The Preservation League is proud to support these talented scholars are they continue to develop their skills and contribute to the field of preservation. Their work reflects the spirit of curiosity, care, and innovation that Lori Zabar championed throughout her involvement with the League.
Follow along on the League's blog and social media channels to learn more about the 2026 Zabar Scholars and the ongoing impact of the Zabar Family Scholarship across New York State.