Thirteen Anthony Wayne High School architecture students recently competed in the 74th Annual High School Design Competition hosted by Toledo Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). They were among 40 other students from 12 area high schools to submit projects that challenged them to create new building designs for the City of Toledo Parks and Recreation Department.
Contest winners were announced at an awards ceremony held on April 16, 2024. AWHS had eight winners selected, with many of the students winning in multiple categories. Bringing home 13 of the 28 awards given, the following students earned $5,000 in cash prizes and $5,200 in scholarships.
Ava Schimpf, Junior
1st Place > Junior Overall Architectural Design (cash prize and certificate)
Evan Stigall, Senior
3rd Place > Landscape Architecture Design (certificate)
Gavin McAfee, Senior
3rd Place > Sustainable design (cash prize and certificate)
Holli Torok, Senior
2nd Place > Landscape Architecture Design (cash prize and certificate)
1st Place > Lighting design (cash prize and certificate)
Brendan Kronberg, Senior
4th Place > Senior Overall Architectural Design (cash prize, and certificate)
Landen Christy, Senior
1st Place > Material Innovation (cash prize and certificate)
3rd Place > Senior Overall Architectural Design (cash prize and certificate)
Seth Von Lehmden, Senior
1st Place > Digital Media (cash prize and certificate)
2nd Place > Urban Design (cash prize and certificate)
2nd Place > Senior Overall Architectural Design (AIA Toledo Chapter scholarship, cash prize, and certificate)
Gabe Kusmierek, Senior
1st Place > Sustainable design (cash prize and certificate)
1st Place > Senior Overall Architectural Design (AIA Toledo Chapter scholarship, cash prize, and certificate)
Mr. Todd Heslet, Industrial Technology, Drafting & Design Instructor said students had only 10 weeks to complete their designs, with many committing extra hours outside of the school day to perfect their projects.
The result of their efforts was a project proposal that aimed to meet the expectations of the following design statement:
The City of Toledo Parks and Recreation Department is interested in providing a community pavilion within the Rev. H.V. Savage Park at the corner of Nebraska Avenue and Elizabeth Street in Toledo’s Junction Neighborhood. The purpose of the new building is to increase gathering spaces to support additional programming to benefit the surrounding community. There is an existing two-story building that houses storage on the ground floor and a boxing gym on the second floor that will remain. The park has numerous site features that shall remain or be replaced as part of student designs. These features include a splash pad, basketball courts, playground, and baseball field. The existing elevated pool and covered shelter house will be demolished and removed.
L to R - Holli, Ava, Landen, Gavin, Evan, Brendan, Seth, and Gabe
 Ava Schimpf |  Brendan Kromberg |
 Evan Stigall |  Gabe Kusmierek |
 Gavin McAfee |  Holli Torok |
 Landen Christy |  Seth Von Lehmden |