Grand Lake Elementary Jr. Beta Engineering Team achieves Remarkable Success at State Convention.

Under the expert guidance of Mr. Cliff and Mrs. Crystal Vanicor, the Grand Lake Elementary Jr. Beta Engineering Team recently participated in their inaugural state convention in Lafayette. Competing against the top students from 90 other teams, GLE Beta team approached the event with confidence, though they were uncertain about securing a place in the top five.

On Monday at 3:30 p.m., the team entered Exhibit Hall B, filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. The team, comprised of fifth grade students from Grand Lake Elementary—Gabe and Grant Vanicor, Drew St. Romain, and Colt Boudreaux—was tasked with constructing a bridge within a 45-minute timeframe. They successfully completed the challenge and presented their work to the judges, explaining their design choices and construction methods. Following their presentation, the bridge was subjected to a stress test. The judges were left speechless as one student stood on the bridge, and their astonishment grew when two students stepped onto it simultaneously.

That evening, as the students traveled home from the convention, they received the thrilling news that they had placed in the top five. With some adjustments to their schedules, they attended the awards presentation on Tuesday to discover their final ranking. To their delight, they were called on stage and learned that they had secured first place in the Jr. Beta State Competition for Engineering.

Their sponsors, Mrs. Daisha Evans and Ms. Jadah Sargent, along with their parents, fellow club members, and the entire school community, are immensely proud of the students’ hard work and dedication.