NEWPORT NEWS — Architects, contractors and students united Wednesday to put their construction skills to the test to help fight back against hunger.
Community members took part in the 2026 CANstruction Competition held at New Horizons Regional Education Center in Newport News. The second annual event — a collaboration between the center, THRIVE Peninsula, Grove Christian Outreach Center, Associated General Contractors of Virginia Peninsula District and GuernseyTingle — was an effort to use collected food donations to create unique structures.
Themed after America’s 250th anniversary, sculptures were based on patriotic designs. They included two Liberty Bells by Warwick Mechanical Group and W.M. Jordan Co. as well as the Lincoln Memorial by PMA Architecture. More than 8,000 food donations were collected and donated to Grove Christian Outreach Center and THRIVE Peninsula after the event.
Six teams used canned food to craft their sculptures for the competition. The two winners included Williamsburg architecture and design team GuernseyTingle, winning the Best in Build and Largest Quantity awards for a sculpture of Rosie the Riveter. Best in Build was determined by the sculpture’s theme and both the use of items and labels for the design.
GuernseyTingle members used about 2,500 cans of food to recreate the iconic 1940s symbol of working women and empowerment. GuernseyTingle architect and project manager Stephanie Kalantarians said Rosie was a good representation of the women-owned company.
Kalantarians said she was proud of her team and how they not only thought about the sculpture’s theme and design, but also the end goal of serving their neighbors “and how we can serve them with healthy food and a variety of food.”
Members of GuernseyTingle create a sculpture of 1940s women empowerment icon Rosie the Riveter. (James W. Robinson/The Virginia Gazette)
Students from New Horizon Regional Education Center won the People’s Choice Award for their sculpture of the Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles. The three-tier sculpture featured more than 800 vegetable cans, which surrounded the football field and the Eagles’ symbol. The American flag, placed behind the field, was also designed by the students.
Eliana Flores, a 12th grader at Woodside High School, said the project was inspired by New Horizons Newport News Principal Nicole Stephens and her love for the Eagles. Flores, 17, said it was her second year taking part in the competition — previously the team won People’s Choice, Structural Build and Variety of Items awards for their sculpture of the Roman Colosseum.
Flores said she joined again because it was fun to participate last year.
“It was a fun time just to get together after school and put some cans together,” she said.
Eleventh graders Kayla Waddy of York High School and Jeana Radovan of Woodside High School also took part in the competition with Flores. Waddy, 16, said she wanted to get more experience with construction while Radovan, 16, said she wanted to learn how to work with others and see how it all comes together.
Students from New Horizons Regional Education Center create a sculpture of the Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, as their competition entry. (James W. Robinson/The Virginia Gazette)
The competition began last year as a result of the AGCVA Peninsula District wanting to give back to the community, said Rachel Reim, the group’s events and sponsorship director. Having partnered with THRIVE Peninsula in the past, both decided on hosting a canned goods construction competition to bring community members together.
Caroline Dutle, the community giving director for THRIVE, said it’s been great to see the event grow to include New Horizons, Grove Christian Outreach Center and GuernseyTingle. Matthew Pollino, the development manager at the Grove center, said he reached out to Dutle after seeing last year’s CANstruction results.
New Horizons Regional Education Center students are awarded the People’s Choice award in the 2026 CANstruction Competition. (James W. Robinson/The Virginia Gazette)
The collaboration was just one example of how nonprofits and organizations can unite to give back to the community, Pollino said. The competition also was an opportunity to receive food ahead of the need that arises during the holidays.
Outreach center Executive Director Katie Patrick, THRIVE Peninsula Executive Director Angela York and Virginia Peninsula Foodbank Chief Development Officer Craig Gallaer served as judges for the competition. Each thanked participants for their creations and contributions.
York noted that 50% of Peninsula families and 62% of families with children suffer from food insecurity. Receiving a variety of food was extremely valuable for the holidays, Patrick said.
“Together, we can make a difference,” Patrick said.
James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, james.robinson@virginiamedia.com
Dining and Cooking