Cal Poly students showcase talent at the 2025 Roofing Alliance Student Competition

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

Competition inspires students to explore careers in the roofing industry. 

The California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) team brought excitement, innovation and strong teamwork to the 2025 Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition, proudly representing the West Coast at one of the roofing industry’s most prestigious events. Led by team captain Alexa Perez, alongside teammates Blake Hanson, Peyton Hawley, Amy Chen and JT Rich, the students demonstrated the energy and professionalism that defines the next generation of roofing and construction leaders. 

Now in its eleventh year, the Roofing Alliance’s Annual Construction Management Student Competition continues to build momentum and inspire future industry professionals. Held in conjunction with the International Roofing Expo (IRE), the 2025 competition took place in San Antonio, Texas, and introduced students to roofing as a dynamic and rewarding career path. It also provided valuable networking opportunities with peers, faculty and Roofing Alliance members.  

This year’s competition project, provided by Beldon Roofing Company of San Antonio, challenged teams to develop a comprehensive bid proposal for the reroofing of the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport Hotel. Working closely with contractor mentors, students prepared detailed bid packages that demonstrated project management, estimating and safety skills. Finalists were invited to the IRE to present their proposals live to a panel of industry judges. They also attended the Roofing Alliance’s Welcome Reception, toured the project site and participated in NRCA’s Industry Awards Ceremony where winning teams were recognized on stage. 

The Cal Poly team’s journey to the competition began through word-of-mouth, professional connections and encouragement from classmates and faculty. For many, it was their second or even third time participating. JT, a senior studying construction management, shared how a classmate originally recruited him during a project, and after enjoying the experience, he returned to compete again. Blake recalled that his invitation to join came during a surfing trip, emphasizing how informal conversations can open real professional doors. 

“Roofing is not heavily covered in our curriculum,” stated several of the students. They all felt that the opportunity to immerse themselves in roofing due to the competition was a very valuable learning experience. Peyton pointed out that the chance to dive into a real-world roofing project was a major reason for joining, while Alexa, whose family has long been involved in roofing, described how proud her father was to see her carry the family tradition into a formal competition setting. 

The students reflected on challenges such as mastering technical roofing knowledge, building strong team collaboration, and balancing competition preparation with their academic responsibilities. Amy, an architecture student, noted, “It was so rewarding to work alongside a team from diverse disciplines and collaborate across so many areas of expertise.” 

Despite the demands, the students shared a deep appreciation for the experience. They highlighted networking as a major benefit, with many comments on how meeting roofing contractors, manufacturers and industry professionals at the IRE broadened their understanding of career paths and the growing role of technology in the roofing industry. 

Blake and Peyton both described how diving into the project plans, estimating complex roofing scopes and solving technical challenges made the competition especially rewarding. “Walking the expo floor and seeing the latest roofing technologies, from solar roofing products to new safety innovations, really fueled our excitement about the roofing industry,” they said. 

When asked what they are looking for in future employers, the Cal Poly students emphasized the importance of strong mentorship, a supportive company culture and openness to questions. Alexa shared that students value workplaces where they feel nurtured, supported and encouraged to keep learning. She stressed that companies that take the time to invest in their young employees will see strong returns. 

The Cal Poly team's experience perfectly embodies the purpose of the Roofing Alliance Student Competition, inspiring students to explore the roofing industry while sharpening their technical and leadership skills. It’s about forging the connections that will drive the industry forward. With passionate, talented students like the Cal Poly team stepping into the field, the future of roofing is bright. 

For more information about the Roofing Alliance and the Construction Management Student Competition, visit www.roofingalliance.net. 

View all the Roofing Alliance Student Competition videos here.