Santa Maria Joint Union High School District’s (SMJUHSD) Construction Design Build Competition Team recently earned the Architectural and People’s Choice Awards at Golden West College in Orange County.

Students wearing white hardhats and yellow high-vis vests measure and cut wood planks. (Courtesy photo)
Students work on building structures that will be donated, used and sold in their communities. (Courtesy photo)

The 39th Annual Construction Industry Education Foundation Design Build Competition featured students from 41 high schools, trade schools and colleges.

The SMJUHSD Construction Design Build Competition Team is from the Mark Richardson Career Technical Education Center and Agricultural Farm,

A total of 544 students spent two days building the structures that will be donated, used, and sold within their communities.

Student Reyna Morelos Garcia, who served as the construction manager, won a $1,000 senior scholarship. Only six scholarships were presented to more than 400 eligible participants.

“I had a great experience, and I learned that your team really needs to be prepared, which we were. I’m looking forward to being on the team next year. We have a goal to win the Best in Show which we almost won this year,” said Pioneer Valley High Junior Kevin Maldonado.

“The Construction Design Build Competition Team absolutely shocked me by their performance,” said Glen Holmes, building and construction teacher. “We start at a disadvantage due to being comprised of members from the four district high schools attending three separate periods, which means that we have very limited opportunities to work together as a team. In fact, some of our team members had never met before the competition.

“I honestly did not think that we would be able to do better than we had done in previous years. The team absolutely dominated the competition, taking home two out of the six awards and one of six scholarships handed out. There have been teams that have been competing at this event for 10 years that have never won an award or scholarship.

“The MRC Design Build Team has won at least one award and one scholarship every year since we started competing,” Holmes said. “Despite all the accomplishments and accolades that the team received, I am most proud of witnessing the behavior and receiving many compliments about our students from competition officials, judges, and hotel staff.

“Whether competing at the event or in public, the design build team is an exemplary display of the greatness that is grown here in Santa Maria.’’