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 Creek Bridge Builders April 15, 2025
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Unsung Hero, Marlis Campbell March 12, 2025
Marlis grew up in the shadows of the campus of Michigan State University. Growing up in a college town is one of the many things she appreciates about her childhood. She developed a love for learning and reading early on and has sustained this through adulthood. Although teaching is a second career for her, this love has shaped how she goes about her job as a teacher for Harper Creek.
