STE. GENEVIEVE – Several Ste. Genevieve Middle School students participated in a “topping out” ceremony for the new elevator addition at their school. Construction crews prepared the last steel beam for the students to sign, and flew an American flag atop the structure as part of a longstanding tradition for the steel construction industry.
‘Topping Out’ is a tradition whenever the skeleton of a bridge or building is completed. It signals that the uppermost steel member is going into place, and that the structure has reached its final height. As the final beam is hoisted, either a flag or an evergreen tree is attached as it ascends and is put into place.
The students were randomly selected from the “Dragons on Fire” program, where middle school students are recognized with a positive office referral for outstanding character, deeds or behavior.
Ste. Genevieve Middle School students take a group photo with the last structural beam for the new elevator addition. Left to Right: Nino Batucan, JD Loudenback, Felix Lin, Cameron Bequette, Brody Wolk, Leyla Schmidt, McKenzie Greer, Isabel Wolk, Kenzie Decker, Sydney DeRousse.
The ceremony also included the company erecting the structure, Brockmiller Construction Incorporated and the Carron Crane Company, LLC. John Otto donated the SGMS sign.