The event, hosted at Rio Hondo College, provided students with a platform to demonstrate their skills, connect with industry professionals, and explore career pathways in architecture, civil engineering, and design. Held in celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, the competition emphasized the importance of hands-on learning and technical expertise in preparing students for high-wage, high-demand careers.
Under the guidance of instructors Mr. Warden (Baldwin Park High School) and Mr. Estrada (Sierra Vista High School), students tackled real-world architectural challenges, applying creativity, problem-solving skills, and sustainable design principles. Their hard work paid off, with several students earning accolades for their outstanding projects.
“The level of talent and dedication displayed by our students was truly inspiring,” Warden said. “They demonstrated not only technical proficiency but also a deep understanding of design concepts that are crucial in the industry.”
Baldwin Park High School student Jonathan Reyes secured second place in the engineering design category, an impressive step up from their previous third-place finish. Sierra Vista High School continued its dominance in the competition, winning first place in architectural design for the fourth consecutive year while also earning top spots in other categories.
Full list of BPUSD winners:
Architectural Design
1st Place: Mariana Ramos, SVHS
2nd Place: Steven Olvera and Jared Quintana, SVHS
3rd Place: Nicole Herrera and Rachel Rodriguez, SVHS
Engineering Design
2nd Place: Jonathan Reyes, BPHS
3rd Place: Katie Rosales, SVHS
Civil Design
1st Place: Julian Arteaga, Victor Tellez, and Jonathan Che, SVHS
3rd Place: Adriana Guerrero, Nicole Herrera, and Rachel Rodriguez, SVHS
Estrada praised his students for their enthusiasm and commitment to excellence. “This competition is a testament to the strength of our Career Technical Education programs,” Estrada said. “It equips students with the skills they need to succeed and gives them the confidence to pursue careers in these fields.”
Beyond the competition, students engaged with representatives from colleges, universities, and industry leaders, gaining valuable insight into career opportunities and the latest advancements in the field. This exposure reinforced their commitment to pursuing futures in architecture and engineering.
“Learning more about the electrical, piping, and structures of buildings has been my favorite part of this CTE pathway because it's useful everywhere we go. I want to say thank you to Mr. Warden because he inspired me to go for it. Architecture is not just about construction,” expressed BPHS award winner Jonathan Reyes.
BPUSD would like to extend a special thank you to Rio Hondo College for their support.