Duncan Area Youth Engineering Contest Winners Announced
November 20, 2025
Lyle Roggow and Henry Lehr with DAEDF present the 1st place Middle School Overall Winner check to Cinsen Hanson, right, with runners up Ruby Bridges, left, and Hunter Stewart, center.
The Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF) announced the successful conclusion of its annual Duncan Area Youth Engineering Contest held Tuesday.
The competition brought together bright 7th through 12th-grade students from across the area to design, draft, and manufacture high-speed CO₂ race cars, highlighting the crucial link between classroom learning and real-world industrial skills, according to Jessika Leatherbury, DAEDF spokesperson.
“The contest is a cornerstone of DAEDF’s efforts to invest in the local talent pipeline and promote workforce development,” she said. “This year’s event featured over 350 competitors from Central, Comanche, Duncan, Walters, and Red River Technology Center (RRTC), with students from all surrounding schools eligible to participate.”
A total of $4,175 in prize money was awarded to the top students across four categories: People’s Choice (design and aesthetics), Engineering (technical drafting and execution), Racing (pure speed and performance), and Best Overall.
“We are incredibly impressed by the level of creativity, precision, and engineering skill demonstrated by all the participants this year,” said Henry Lehr, Race Coordinator. “This contest isn’t just about racing; it’s about inspiring the next generation of manufacturers, engineers, and innovators right here in Stephens County. The dedication shown by the students and their mentors reaffirms the strength of our local STEM education.”
Leatherbury said DAEDF extends a sincere thank you to all the participating students, their dedicated teachers, mentors, and the corporate sponsors whose support makes this annual contest possible.
“The event underscores the commitment of the Duncan community to developing a strong, technically proficient future workforce,” she said.
Duncan Area Youth Engineering Contest – 2025 Middle School Winners
People’s Choice
1st Place, $100, Yoana Ontiveros, Duncan Middle School.
2nd Place tie, $50, Natalie McNabb, Duncan Middle School.
2nd Place tie, $50, Caylin Copeland, Duncan Middle School.
Engineering
1st Place, $300, Kooper Biffle, Duncan Middle School.
2nd Place tie, $200, Brayden Nguyen, Duncan Middle School.
2nd Place tie, $200, Andi Gibson, Duncan Middle School.
CO2 Race
1st Place, $300, Cinsen Hansen, Central Middle School.
2nd Place, $200, Hunter Stewart, Central Middle School.
3rd Place, $100, Ruby Bridges, Central Middle School.
Overall
1st Place, $300, Cinsen Hansen, Central Middle School.
2nd Place, $200, Hunter Stewart, Central Middle School.
3rd Place, $100, Ruby Bridges, Central Middle School.
Duncan Area Youth Engineering Contest – 2025 High School Winners
People’s Choice
1st Place, $100, Mary Kateleen McNabb, Duncan High School.
2nd Place, $50, Julian Findley, Red River Technology Center.
3rd Place, $25, Demi Nelson, Walters High School.
Engineering
1st Place, $300, Tessa Spivey, Red River Technology Center.
2nd Place tie, $200, Hollister Pollock, Red River Technology Center.
2nd Place tie, $200, Carter Mitchell, Red River Technology Center.
CO2 Race
1st Place, $300, Cooper Beranek, Duncan High School.
2nd Place, $200, Devan Johnson, Red River Technology Center.
3rd Place, $100, Joel Spaulding, Red River Technology Center.
Overall
1st Place, $300, Cooper Beranek, Duncan High School.
2nd Place, $200, Devan Johnson, Red River Technology Center.
3rd Place, $100, Joel Spaulding, Red River Technology Center.
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