East Rockaway High School recently took part in the Canstruction Long Island competition, creating a unique canned-food structure titled Lighting the Way to End Hunger. The team’s design was awarded Best CANfiguration at the competition’s reception, celebrating the structure’s ingenuity in design and structural elements. The competition, held at RXR Plaza, runs until November 11, with visitors encouraged to participate by voting for their favorite structure.

Comprised of a Christmas bulb with cord and plug, the ERHS team’s creation aims to light the way towards a solution to hunger, using thousands of cans meticulously arranged into a cohesive form. The Canstruction team from East Rockaway High School includes the following talented and dedicated students: Mackenzie Gallagher, Julia Giannotti, Natalia Jandinski, Caitlin Kulins, Camila Lemus, Kaitlyn Lewald, Joey Lu, Melanie Colon, Janella Poorajah, Emily Perez, Timmy Poland, Gabriella Schaefer and Mickayla Sharkey. These students have dedicated countless hours to planning, building and perfecting their structure, embodying both teamwork and a commitment to social causes.

East Rockaway High School began participating in Canstruction in 2019, and this year is the only school competing alongside professional architecture and design firms. The students are responsible for every aspect of the project, including selecting the design, mapping it out in CAD software, calculating the number of cans required and organizing fundraising efforts to purchase the canned goods. After two practice builds at the school, the students had 12 hours to assemble their final piece for the exhibition.

For those interested in supporting East Rockaway High School’s entry, voting for the People’s Choice Award is available through non-perishable food donations at RXR Plaza, with one can equaling one vote. Supporters can also donate remotely at https://www.canstructionli.org/event/peoples_choice/73/, where each donation adds to their vote count. All canned food used in the displays, along with donations from voters, will go to local food banks, including Long Island Cares, NEST, The INN and Island Harvest.

Canstruction is on display until Monday, November 11, and visitors are encouraged to stop by RXR Plaza, experience the creativity of East Rockaway students and join them in their mission to end hunger on Long Island.

Date Added: 10/31/2024