Team Dick’s Sporting Goods Wins First Place and $1,000 Scholarship at JCC Annual Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition

On November 14, 2024, Jefferson Community College (JCC) engineering students hosted the 17th Annual Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition. Seventeen high school teams and four middle school teams from six area schools participated. 

At the end of the day, more than 100 high school and middle school students gathered in the Robert R. and Jean S. Sturtz Theater to test their bridges for durability and weight. Thanks to event co-sponsor BCA Architects and Engineers, members of the winning high school teams not only received trophies and cash prizes but also scholarships to attend Jefferson. Each member of the first-place team received a $1,000 scholarship, while second-place team members received $500 each, and third-place team members were awarded $250 each.  Additionally, trophies and cash prizes were awarded to the top three high school teams and the winning middle school team. The competition was co-sponsored by Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors. 

“The Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition is a wonderful way to inspire young minds and ignite a passion for engineering,” said Daniel J. Dupee, II, President. “Thanks to the generous support of BCA Architects and Engineers and Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors, we’re proud to offer scholarships and prizes to the members of the winning high school teams, helping them take their first steps toward a bright future in STEM. This event not only showcases the incredible talent of our local students but also reinforces Jefferson Community College’s commitment to fostering educational and career opportunities in our community.”

“BCA is thrilled to support Jefferson Community College’s Spaghetti Bridge Competition, an event that inspires creativity, problem-solving, and engineering excellence in the next generation,” said Kelly E. Reinhardt, Director of Business Development. “This year, we are especially proud to provide scholarships for the winners, further encouraging their pursuit of education and innovation in engineering.”

Team Dick’s Sporting Goods from Indian River High School won 1st place which comes with a $1,000 scholarship to JCC and a cash prize of $100. Their spaghetti bridge had a 21.6 load to weight ratio, the highest ratio in the competition. Load to weight ratio is determined by the amount of weight the bridge holds divided by how much it weighs. Team Al Dente, also from Indian River High School, came in 2nd place, earning a $500 JCC scholarship and cash prize of $50. Their spaghetti bridge had a 9.762 load to weight ratio. Team SASS (Senior Activity Spaghetti Squad) from Watertown High School took 3rd place winning a $250 JCC scholarship and cash prize of $25. Their spaghetti bridge had an 8.706 load to weight ratio. Team Cavaliers of Spaghetti from Immaculate Heart Central School won the middle school competition and a cash prize of $25 for their spaghetti bridge that had an 8.682 load to weight ratio. 

Sponosored by BCA Architects and Engineers and Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors.  

Photo Caption (1st place): Team Dick's Sporting Goods from Indian River High School
Bottom row (l-r): Cesar Rodriguez, Ed Melendez, Makenzie Lehman, Engineer, BCA Architects & Engineers
Top row (l-r): Bruce Shawcross, Trevor Shawcross, Daniel Dupee, II, President

Photo Caption (2nd place): Team Al Dente from Indian River High School
Bottom row (l-r): Lily Kaine, David Quezada, Makenzie Lehman, Engineer, BCA Architects & Engineers
Middle row (l-r): Marcus Keith, Daniel Dupee, II, President
Top row (l-r): Shane Motes, Nick Biondi, Josiah Adams

Photo Caption (3rd place): Team SASS (Senior Activity Spaghetti Squad) from Watertown High School
Bottom row (l-r): Carline Philips, Dominic Youngs Englert, Makenzie Lehman, Engineer, BCA Architects & Engineers
Top row (l-r): Alexander Higginbotham, Ray Jensen, Daniel Dupee, II, President


Photo Caption (Winning Middle School Team & Support Peers): Team Cavaliers of Spaghetti
Bottom row (l-r): Vivienne Burto, Ruzena Rudd, Makenzie Lehman, Engineer, BCA Architects & Engineers
Middle row (l-r): Rhaer Nieves
Top row (l-r): Greyson Harvey, Alex Staib, Scarlett Delaney, Daniel Dupee, II, President