Champion High School’s new Career and Technical Education building broke ground on April 11, 2023. In years prior, the full capacity of the school created complications for teachers and students. Many teachers did not have set classrooms and had to share with others.The new addition was set to be opened in August 2024 for the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year; however, the construction took longer than planned, and the building was officially opened in January.
Many Champion students are on board with the changes that the new building brought.
“It was very much needed because there is no space, and all the CTE classrooms were all over the place, but now they will mostly all be in one area,” sophomore Chloe Oates said.
Oates is not the only one with hope for new space, seeing how cramped some classes are now. Her twin sister, Mallory, also hopes for the new building to bring relief.
“I think it’s needed because the CTE rooms are just so small, so I feel like a CTE building is gonna help a lot because it will give teachers more space and tools in their classrooms,” sophomore Mallory Oates said.
A new building also brings more space, including parking. Many students are excited to have more spaces to park. Driving to school is an important rite of passage for high school students, especially for sophomores who are just now beginning to drive.
“I feel like it was definitely needed considering how packed the parking lots are; since our grade is just starting to drive, it will be nice to have enough space for everyone,” sophomore Hannah Lohse said.
However, there is some concern about having to learn how to navigate a new building.
“Figuring out which way to go and how to fit getting over there into the 5 minutes we have for passing is kind of nerve-racking because I already know the ways I need to walk, but I think it will be fine,” Chloe Oates said.
Other students are also concerned about the walk to their classrooms, knowing that they are going to have to cross the new bridges.
“The biggest adjustment will be that huge bridge because what if I fall,” Lohse said.
Now that the building is up and running, students are very satisfied with the improvements it has brought.
“I feel like it’s less crowded, you know, with the two buildings.” freshman Marina Jimenez said.
The new building is almost fully windows, and even though it could be a little awkward to walk through alone, the students who have classes in the building have said many positive things about the windows.
“It’s just nice seeing all of the sun and the sunlight.” Sophomore Claire Hernandez said.
While there is so much to love about the new building, there are also a few downsides. One being how long it takes to get back to the main building from the new building. Even though it has helped so much with general hallway traffic, the traffic on the bridge connecting the buildings is an obstacle. Hopefully this issue will resolve as students learn to go different ways.
“There are always so many people on the bridge, it’s hard to get back into the main building, especially around advisory.” Hernandez said.
The overall response to the new building has been overwhelmingly positive, with most highlighting how clean it is. This addition to Champion High School was both needed and highly anticipated.
“I like that it’s super clean and the bathrooms are also super clean.” Sophomore Colton Clark said.
