In an impressive display of creativity and engineering, junior high students stole the show at Illinois Valley Community College’s annual Edible Car Contest. The young participants set new speed records and secured numerous awards, outshining older competitors. With a record attendance of 190 students and teachers, the event celebrated innovative design with categories like Best Overall, Creativity, and Speed. Notably, junior high teams took home 12 out of 18 special trophies, highlighting their extraordinary talent. This vibrant gathering not only challenged participants’ engineering skills but also fostered teamwork and imaginative problem-solving in a fun, educational environment.
Spring Valley JFK, Putnam County Junior High, Oglesby Washington, and Princeton Christian Academy excelled in the speed category, with a tie for second between Putnam County and Oglesby Washington. Depue High School made a strong showing, securing second and third places for Best Overall in the high school category, while Ottawa High School emerged as the leader. In the junior high division, JFK achieved second and third, with Waltham taking first. Among staff, La Moille Junior High, La Salle Peru Area Career Center, and IVCC’s Cyber Cafe were top performers. The IVCC Art Club and Student Services led the student organization category.
First, second, and third place winners were as follows:
Creativity: Ottawa High School, Putnam County Junior High, and Princeton Christian Academy
Detail: Putnam County Junior High, Trinity Catholic Academy, and JFK
Most Nutritious: Ottawa High School, JFK, and Putnam County Junior High
Sweetest: IVCC Art Club, Waltham, and Putnam County Junior High
Judges’ Call: Ottawa High School, La Salle Peru Area Career Center, and La Moille Faculty entry.
Design: Trinity Catholic Academy, Waltham, and Putnam County Junior High.
In an exciting showcase of creativity and engineering, eighty custom-built vehicles were road-tested on a challenging downhill track in a vibrant school competition. Students from Spring Valley JFK, Trinity Catholic Academy, and La Moille Junior High, among others, demonstrated their skills and teamwork. The event also featured participation from two student organizations from Illinois Valley Community College and faculty from various schools, fostering a spirit of collaboration and community. The innovative designs sparked enthusiasm and healthy competition, highlighting the students’ hard work and ingenuity across the region.
