Congratulations Kathleen Cullen

Highland Secondary student Nicole Weisensee and Mohawk's own Shane Given look to make history at the 23rd annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition happening at Mohawk tonight and tomorrow afternoon.

Nicole has won the high school bridge building competition for two years running. Last year, Nicole's bridge carried 3,425.9 times its own weight (the 2nd place bridge carried 2,905.2 times its own weight).

Shane, a Mohawk Engineering Technology student, is also aiming for his third consecutive first place finish. Last year, Shane's bridge withstood 2,400 pounds of pressure, just 103 pounds shy of the all-time record. Shane made history in 2008 by winning the competition in his first year in College.

Nicole and Shane are among the hundreds of high school and college students who will put their engineering skills to the test and square off against Mohawk's merciless Captain Crunch in the College's Fennell Campus Gym. The high school competition takes place tonight (March 30 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) while college students face off tomorrow (March 31 from noon to 3 p.m.). 

Prizes for top high school students include tuition scholarships of $1,250 from the Optimist Club of Ancaster, $750 from the Optimist Club of Hamilton and $500 from the Optimist Club of Stoney Creek.

College students are vying for prizes that include a $2,000 scholarship from Hatch Associates, $1,500 from the Hamilton District Heavy Construction Association and $1,000 cash from Kenaidan Contracting Ltd.   

The 23rd annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition is presented by staff and students from Moahwk's Building and Construction Sciences Program.