MoDOT Tests Bridges, Names Winners of the 21st Annual Bridge Building Competition

Ste. Genevieve High School, Leopold High School & Perryville CTC Take Top Three

SIKESTON-After weeks of work to build the most efficient model bridges, Southeast Missouri high school students put their bridges to the test today (Nov. 21) at the completion of MoDOT's 21st Annual Bridge Building Competition. The competition challenges high school juniors and seniors to design and construct the most efficient model bridge using limited materials-balsa wood, thread and glue.

Ste. Genevieve High School, Leopold High School and Perryville Area Career and Technology Center received first, second and third place for best overall performance, respectively. These schools received cash prizes.

In addition, students were recognized for building the lightest bridges that carried the greatest loads. Winners included:

• 1st - Anna Kluesner - Leopold
• 2nd - Jonathan Pfeiffer - Saxony Lutheran
• 3rd - Aveney Kandiah - Notre Dame
• 4th - Lane Okenfuss - Perryville CTC
• 5th - Sophia Huck - Ste. Genevieve

Other awards included the most aesthetic bridge presented to Ian Cairns of Ste. Genevieve High School and the computer-based electronic bridge award presented to Logan Shy of Delta High School.

MoDOT also partnered with Arkansas State University, University of Missouri-Columbia, Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to offer seniors interested in civil engineering up to $10,000 in scholarships.

Representatives from Cape Girardeau Safe Communities were on hand to educate students on safe driving with the Fatal Vision goggles.

"It's important to come to learn about the engineering process and the importance of traffic safety. We have had five kids recently go in to engineering, and I think this event may have helped them go into the programs," said Darla Bridges, Bernie High School teacher.

For more information, please contact Senior Estimator Anita Clark at (573) 751-0269, Standards Specialist Gretchen Hanks at (573) 472-9019 or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636). Additional information is available at www.modot.org/bridge-competition.

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Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/modot_se/albums/72177720322090560/