As part of the Westmoreland County Gifted Coalition’s ‘Architecture Design Challenge’ supported by Arnold Palmer Regional Airport and in collaboration with Penn State University’s Eberly Campus, teams of approximately 150 students from around the region presented their proposals for the redesign of the airport to the facility’s management team.
The project commenced last fall when all the students convened at the airport for an in-depth tour highlighting the daily operations of an airport. They spoke with booking agents, maintenance workers, ground control, TSA agents, and pilots to gain perspective on the many departments.
The Penn-Trafford team of Faiz Khatri, Riley Joyce, Ava Ruane, and Samantha Seech earned Second Place in the competition and was also presented the “Best Teamwork” award.
“Students worked diligently all school year, meeting weekly to discuss best practices and ideas to successfully implement their design,” commented their teacher Mrs. Wukich. “Their efforts were commended with recognition and awards!”
Members of the 2nd-place team - Ava Ruane, Faiz Khatri, Riley Joyce, and Samantha Seech - with their airport redesign model
The Penn-Trafford team of Marissa Fong, Cienna Oien, Chloe Bishop, and Michael Harris with their model
Riley Joyce, Faiz Khatri, Ava Ruane, and Samantha Seech pose with a statue of the airport namesake, Arnold Palmer