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Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Announces Winners of the 2025 USF – SE Bridge Building Competition

Tampa, FL. – The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) announced the winners of this year’s annual USF-SE Bridge Building Competition at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Engineering. The event took place at USF’s Engineering Expo on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Each year the event is open to middle and high school students living in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. Student teams compete to make the strongest bridge, made of Balsa wood and glue, before collapsing under pressure. The winning bridge withstands the most amount of pressure before breaking.

The Bridge Building Competition supports THEA’s engagement with the Selmon STEM Internship Program. This program was designed in honor of the late Lee Roy Selmon, a National Football League Hall of Fame member and the former Athletic Director at USF.  Selmon wanted to create the internship program to further students’ academic careers and encourage them to seek a STEM degree. THEA continues to support this mission, offering at least 30 internships to students over the years.

The winning teams are listed below:

Middle School Winners

1st Place: Avocado Toast, Cambridge Christian School

2nd Place: The Bridge Chicas, Cambridge Christian School

3rd Place: CAM Bridge, Cambridge Christian School

Overall Efficiency Winner: Avocado Toast, Cambridge Christian School

Design Aesthetics and Originality Winner: Bob the Builders, Terrace Community Middle School

 

High School Winners

1st Place: Demolition Crew, Newsome High School

2nd Place: Keystone Knights, Newsome High School

3rd Place: New Engineers, Gaither High School

Overall Efficiency Winner: Demolition Crew, Newsome High School

Design Aesthetics and Originality: Cowgirl Engineers, Gaither High School

 

See competition photos on THEA’s Facebook Photo Album

 

About Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA)

Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is an award-winning and dynamic transportation agency committed to enriching lives by connecting communities. THEA owns, manages, and operates the Selmon Expressway system, which includes Meridian Avenue, Brandon Parkway, and the Selmon Greenway. With a deep focus on their customer’s safety and desire for convenience and efficiency in their complete travel journey, THEA plays a crucial role in advancing mobility throughout the Tampa Bay region. As part of its mission, THEA continues to reinvest revenue generated by its assets back into the community through innovative infrastructure projects, safety enhancements, and economic development initiatives. For more information, visit www.tampa-way.com.