Harper Creek Community Schools took four bridge-building teams to the 2024 MDOT TRAC Design Bridge Build Challenge. Teams Archnado, I’ve Got 99 Problems But a Bridge Ain’t One, and Arches Unite competed in the ninth and tenth-grade categories. Clever Bridge and The Wonderful Bridges of Oz represented Harper Creek Middle School in the seventh and eighth-grade group.
The MDOT TRAC Design Bridge Build Challenge event was held at the Amway Grand in Grand Rapids. Teams competed against other teams in their grade level. The bridges were judged on their construction and ability to carry a load, an oral presentation, and a business case proposal. Teams received their materials from MDOT TRAC in early December of 2023 and submitted their proposals in late January of 2024.
Thank you to the two advisors, Erica Jenkins and Alissa Renner for giving students of HCCS the opportunity to compete in this challenge that has real-world applications.
Congratulations to the students who participated in the program!
10th grade: Everlyn VanValkenburg, Hannan Lehman, Callie Slayton
9th grade: Nathaniel Lowrie, Ethan Newcomb, Jacob Hernandez, Lilly Kelly, Derek Swalwell, and Eli Morris,
8th grade: Lilly Cook, Isabelle Forrester, Alex Forrester, Bentley Southwell, Joey Klink, Celeste Rose, Katie Ennik
Special shoutout to these students who contributed to the competition, Lucas Atwell, Aiden Duschaine, Myla Slayton, Ella Dutkiewicz, and Taylor Dutkiewicz.
Go to the Michigan Department of Transportation site to learn more about the TRAC program.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Matt Bilger December 3, 2025
Matt grew up in the Bilger family, the second of four children. He was different than his siblings, the first in his family to participate in athletics. Through these differences, Matt has been able to find his own niche as a teacher and a coach. He has developed a passion for his career, making an impact on current and former Harper Creek students.
Harper Creek Students to Experience Hispanic Flamenco Ballet Thanks to Local Grant Support December 1, 2025
Harper Creek Students to Experience Live Hispanic Flamenco Ballet This Spring
More than 700 Harper Creek students will immerse themselves in the vibrant sights and sounds of Hispanic culture during the 3rd Annual Spanish Cultural Awareness Project on March 19, 2026. Held at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium, the event features a live performance by the Hispanic Flamenco Ballet and offers tailored experiences for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Made possible through generous grants from the Binda Foundation and the Miller Foundation, the program blends music, dance, and cultural traditions with classroom learning to deepen language skills and global awareness.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Karen Westlake October 30, 2025
Karen spent her career seeing the world working in the airline industry. The experiences as an airline attendant provided a lifetime of memories. Looking for an opportunity to get out of the house each day, a few decades after retiring, Karen joined the Harper Creek family a year ago as a lunch and recess aide.
