First-Time Contestants in NAHB Student Competition Eager to Reach National Stage
As the International Builders’ Show (IBS) prepares for an unforgettable return to Las Vegas Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, some attendees are gearing up to make their first appearance in the annual NAHB Student Competition. The competition features students from across the country using the construction management skills learned in the classroom to address real world home building scenarios.
Kerwyn Jones-Wilson, the general contractor for Jones Construction & Design LLC and advisor for students at Gadsden Technical College in Quincy, Fla., is especially thrilled for this year’s competition. Gadsden students will be competing in the architecture track, presenting how they learned the unique requirements of designing a California home.
“Designing a home in California is obviously a lot different than designing a home in Florida,” Jones-Wilson said. “We had a lot of research to do on earthquakes and seismic conditions, since Florida home builders primarily focus on the wind. So our biggest challenge was learning an entirely different building code to build a house in an area we’re not familiar with.”
Gadsden County is a rural community with only one high school. Many of these students have never left the region, which is why it was an emotional moment when they learned they’d be traveling across the country to Las Vegas for IBS 2023.
“Some students started crying and cheering when they heard they’d be participating in the upcoming student competition,” Jones-Wilson said. “I am so thankful to provide them with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s going to make a lasting impact on them as they begin their careers in the construction industry.”
Dozens of other student groups will also be making their way to this year’s competition, including students from Bartow High School in Polk County, Fla. The group is led by Jimmy Giles, a former Bartow graduate who now teaches construction and cabinetmaking at the school. Giles continually finds fulfillment in educating others about the trades and motivating a new generation of students to pursue home building careers.
“As a school, it is an honor to go to any competition,” Giles said. “It is unbelievable as an instructor to compete at the highest level and gain exposure for our community.”
Although Bartow has experience participating in youth construction competitions locally, IBS 2023 will be the school’s first opportunity to compete nationally.
“The fact that we’re putting ourselves in front of all of these people is the greatest reward,” said Jordan Simpson, vice president of the Bartow High School Future Builders of America student chapter. “We must give it our all and work as a team with the same shared goal to best represent our school and our community. We cannot wait to deliver on the largest stage for students in construction.”
The NAHB Student Competition will take place in Las Vegas from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. The student presentations are open to IBS attendees.
If you are interested in getting involved with a student chapter or starting a new chapter, contact Sarah Weber at [email protected].
Latest from NAHBNow
May 01, 2025
Podcast: As GDP Contracts, NAHB Fights NIMBYs and an Exec OrderOn the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss economic policies and performance, NAHB advocacy and how an upcoming Supreme Court case may affect NAHB’s legal advocacy efforts.
May 01, 2025
Remodeling Market Poised for Growth as the Age of Owner-Occupied Homes IncreasesTo kick off National Home Remodeling Month in May, which promotes the benefits of hiring a professional remodeler and is sponsored by Westlake Royal Building Products, NAHB has highlighted recent data from the American Community Survey that shows almost half of the owner-occupied homes in the U.S. were built before 1980 and have a median age of 41 years. The aging housing stock, combined with insufficient new home inventory, indicates the remodeling market is poised for future growth.
Latest Economic News
May 01, 2025
Housing’s Share of the Economy Grows Higher to Start the YearHousing’s share of the economy grew to 16.4% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the advance estimate of GDP produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This is the highest reading since the third quarter of 2022 and is up 0.2 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2024.
Apr 30, 2025
U.S. Economy Contracted in First Quarter of 2025The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter of 2025 for the first time in three years, driven by a sharp surge in pre-tariff imports, softening consumer spending, and a decline in government spending.
Apr 30, 2025
House Sharing is Not Just for Young AdultsA record-high 6.8 million households shared their housing with unrelated housemates, roommates or boarders in 2023. While college-age and young adults make up the largest subset of house sharers (close to 41%), this type of living arrangement is gaining popularity among older householders fastest, with the 55+ segment accounting for 30% of all house-sharing households in 2023.