Sponsoring a team of students and faculty advisor, Joe Karpinski, the construction management student organization traveled to Bristol, TN to participate in the Appalachia Service Project Race to Build at Bristol Speedway.
The Race to Build is an annual event where university construction management students compete to build homes as fast as they can for families in the Tri-Cities, TN region.
In 2015, Race to Build was cultivated from an idea of Walter Crouch, Appalachia Service Project’s CEO, to build a home at the Bristol Motor Speedway before the race to draw attention to critical housing needs.
While today’s events have the same initiative, it is now a collegiate competition where teams race to build a 24’ x 36’ house in three days from a pre-built floor system. Official judges inspect the homes and award scholarships for the collegiate programs. Each home is then donated to a deserving family mortgage-free.
A team of eleven Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design students made up of Arieanna Bennardo, Jared Bradford, Nick Chirozzi, Diego Cortez, Brayden Hall, Dan Mate, Lola Preseren, Ali Ritvo, Jesse Thompson, Kayla Usko, Matt Zelasko, worked together to construct a home for homeowner Anthony Adragna. Anthony is a United States veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm. During his time in the military, he was shot and hit by an IED, leaving him with disabilities that continue to affect his day-to-day living. Anthony purchased an older home and despite his efforts to repair the home, it continues to deteriorate faster than he can afford to make repairs. After his commitment to our nation, ASP is committed to getting Anthony into a reliable and safe home.
“Witnessing him walk through the front door at the culmination of the three days was incredibly rewarding. The radiant smile on his face made every drop of sweat worthwhile,” said Ali Ritvo, senior construction management student. “Previously residing in a home beyond repair, he is now provided shelter, thanks to the generosity of ASP and the dedicated volunteers from my peers at Kent State who contributed to the creation of his new home.”
While Kent State’s team came in third place, the experience has made an everlasting impact on the students from witnessing the difference this home will make for a deserving family and the teamwork of the Kent State team. “My takeaway from this project was the power in numbers and how essential it is for the entire team to communicate and know their role in the process,” said Matt Zelasko, senior construction management student.
Kent State was invited back to compete next year and the students are excited to participate again. “Collaborating with my peers and establishing connections through meaningful work has provided me with a profound understanding of the impact a small group of individuals can have on a community,” said Ritvo.
