After weeks of work to build the most efficient model bridges, Southeast Missouri high school students put their bridges to the test Nov. 12 at the completion of MoDOT's 22nd annual Bridge Building Competition.

The competition challenges high school juniors and seniors to design and construct the most efficient model bridge using limited materials — balsa wood, thread and glue.

Ste. Genevieve High School, Perryville Area Career and Technology Center and Chaffee High School received first, second and third place for best overall performance, respectively.

In addition, students were recognized for building the lightest bridges that carried the greatest loads. Winners included:

• 1st — Sam Kuehn, Perryville Area Career and Technology Center

• 2nd — Linley Wehner, Ste. Genevieve High School

• 3rd — Grant Wolk, Ste. Genevieve High School

• 4th — Chase Reed, Perryville Area Career and Technology Center

• 5th — Gavin Gegg, Ste. Genevieve High School

Other awards included the most aesthetic bridge presented to Kyrah Kreitler of Ste. Genevieve High School and the computer-based electronic bridge competition first-place winner, Dylan Jansen of Leopold High School.

Cash prizes for all awards were donated by BFW/Marcum Engineering and Consulting, Cape Area Engineers Club, Cape Noon Optimist Club, Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and Rotary Club of Southeast Missouri Service. MoDOT also partnered with Arkansas State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia to award one-time scholarships to the top contenders at their respective schools.

"I've been here before and have an idea of what the winning bridges look like. I try to let my students design their bridges independently. It is always interesting to see what designs they come up with," said Kenny Rapp, Ste. Genevieve High School teacher.

For more information, visit modot.org/bridge-competition.