Students build picnic tables and dog houses
Arlington High School hosted the second-annual Arlington ISD Trades Competition on Saturday, an event where students in the district’s construction pathway put their skills to the test in a hands-on build-off. This year, teams from Bowie High School and Arlington High School competed against each other and among their own classmates.
Bowie construction students, clad in their signature blue and orange competition shirts, fielded three teams tasked with constructing picnic tables. Nearby, the Arlington High students in their Kelly green and white, fielded three teams building doghouses.
The excitement was palpable from the start.
“The guys are so stoked to be here,” said Devin Gerrity, Bowie’s construction teacher. “They got to the shop early, packed their tools and took team pictures.”
Throughout the four-hour competition, students were judged in three categories: Best Teamwork, Best Foreman and Best Overall Build. The judging panel featured industry professionals from Medford Remodeling, Calais Custom Homes and the City of Arlington’s construction inspection team.
As the young builders worked, judges provided guidance, offered real-world expertise and observed how well students adapted to challenges and feedback.
“We are here to see how well they work, not to see who builds the fastest,” said Michael Medford Sr., founder of Medford Remodeling.
The event drew many supporters, including parents, younger siblings, local construction companies, school administrators and Arlington ISD board members.
“It is amazing to see students at school on a Saturday morning, working hard and doing something they are passionate about,” said David Wilbanks, Arlington ISD trustee.
Beyond the competition itself, the event opened doors for students. John Hughes, superintendent of the Beck Foundation, pulled aside all seniors to discuss the career opportunities available in the construction industry and even offered some students jobs on the spot.
Event organizer Chris Grimaldo, a construction teacher at Arlington High School, emphasized the importance of the competition in bridging the gap between students and industry professionals.
“I created this event to introduce students to the construction world in a setting they’re comfortable with while showcasing the immense talent within AISD,” Grimaldo said. “Many industry professionals have misconceptions about high school students, believing they are lazy or unskilled. But this event proves otherwise. It highlights not only their talent but also the value of both core academic and CTE (career and technical education) classes.”
The Arlington community showed strong support for the event, with local businesses donating food and prizes. Shipley’s Do-Nuts and Anakaren Bakery provided breakfast, while Starbucks and Dutch Bros supplied coffee. Lunch came from Tic Taco, and La Michoacana contributed drinks. Competition winners received prizes from Texo, Dutch Bros, Cane’s Chicken and First Watch.
Awards were handed out at the end, but by the end of the day, everyone left feeling like a winner.