For Release: May 10, 2013
Contact: Kate Miller, kate.miller@tasb.org
800.580.8272, ext. 2242
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(Austin) – Aspiring architects and designers in the Central Texas area recently were celebrated as winners of the first Claycomb Student Architecture Contest. In the individual category, the $500 first-place winner Marissa Williams and $250 second-place winner Ian Friedman both attend Lake Travis High School in Lake Travis ISD. The $100 third-place winner is Adam Redmer, a Round Rock High School student who attends architecture class at Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock ISD. Special recognition goes to Paul Holmes, Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin ISD.

Students at Stony Point High School in Round Rock ISD swept the group prize category. The $500 first-place winners are Erick Lopez, Jonatan Lopez Salazar, Sunny Patel, and Eloy Garza Martinez. Winning the $250 second-place are Ana Naranjo, Miriam Ramirez, Yesenia Martinez, Maleha Baset, and Annie Phan. The $100 third-place winners include Henry Tsou and Jonathan Chen. In addition, special recognition in the group category goes to Jeremy Rosart-Brodnitz and Amy Hotsetter, Lake Travis High in Lake Travis ISD.

“For many students, dreams of becoming an architect begin in the classroom with their first use of basic drafting tools. We wanted to create meaningful opportunities for future architects and are extremely pleased with the wealth of talent demonstrated in the designs submitted,” said Bo Ledoux, vice-president of Claycomb Associates, Architects, one of the founding firms in the TASB Partners program.

“Often the most effective learning happens when students experience their subject matter in a hands-on way in a real-world context. Providing experiential-based learning coupled with inspired design was the driving force behind this new effort from Claycomb and TASB Partners. We are excited to recognize not only the accomplishments but also the potential of these students,” said Ledoux.

Texas public high school students were invited to submit finished architectural designs for judging by professional architects and instructors. In the first year, the contest was open to students in 10 Central Texas school districts. The 2014 contest will be open to all public high school districts statewide.

TASB Partners is the corporate sponsorship program established by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) with the goal of creating partnerships that result in collaborative projects to support public education in Texas. Claycomb Associates, Architects, has been designing K-12 schools since 1984. In joining with TASB as a partner, Claycomb is continuing its mission to support Texas schools. More information about Claycomb Associates, Architects is available at www.claycomb.net.

TASB is a nonprofit organization established in 1949 to serve local public school districts. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve more than 5 million students.

For questions please contact kate.miller@tasb.org or jolie.willis@gmail.com.