WHAT: Students in Fontana High School’s Career Connections career technical education (CTE) pathway will put their design and construction skills to the test during the 38th annual Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) Design Build Competition.

Design Build challenges students to design, plan, and construct a 96 square-foot structure that meets a set of criteria established under the advisement of industry professionals. Students also have the opportunity to network with industry professionals, earn scholarships and apprenticeships, and more.

This is Fontana High’s second year competing in Design Build. In 2022, with only five months of carpentry construction to guide them, the FOHI team outpaced more experienced teams with twice the number of builders and finished in second place.

This year, the Fontana High team will face off against 30 teams from high schools and community colleges throughout Southern California.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 22
8 a.m.

WHERE: Golden West College, Lot D
15744 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach

DETAILS: Career Connections is taught by Lamar Hanger, a carpenter with more than 30 years of industry experience. Hanger, who came to Fontana High School in fall 2021, gained national attention for his technical skill as a contestant on the competition television series “Tough As Nails” in late 2021.

Drawing on decades of experience, Hanger teaches students practical carpentry and the essentials of construction site safety, with an emphasis on goal setting, positive attitude, punctuality, teamwork and taking initiative. Students learn the proper way to swing a hammer, how to properly conduct measurements and the most effective ways to design and build frames.