November 19, 2025 - Almost 600 high school students stepped out of the classroom Nov. 12 to try their hand at driving a skid steer, painting with a commercial sprayer, smoothing a freshly poured concrete sidewalk and networking with area construction companies during the third annual Construction and Design Fair at Smithson Valley High School.
The students from Canyon High School, Pieper High School and SVHS participated in the fair as part of their career and technical education (CTE) courses in construction, architecture, engineering, video game programming and graphic design.
“This fair showcases the power of hands-on learning and real-world connections,” says Dalton Rudloff, the SVHS CTE construction teacher who organized and founded the fair three years ago. “Watching our students light up as they operate equipment like skid steers, excavators and forklifts — and engage directly with industry professionals — is truly rewarding. We are bringing classroom concepts to life and helping them see the wide range of career paths available to them.”
For CHS seniors Preston Escamilla and Noah Rodriguez, the fair gave them the chance to ask questions about their futures. Currently enrolled in construction, Escamilla wanted to know what qualifications were needed to begin a career with some of the companies right out of high school.
Rodriguez plans to enlist in the United States Air Force when he graduates this spring, but he wanted to see what could be available to him after military service.
Representatives from the 19 local companies were more than willing to answer their questions and give them guidance on their paths to success.
“If you have a willingness to learn and a great attitude, we can show you everything else,” says Keith Mott with GVTC. “There are all kinds of opportunities with these companies.”
Besides bringing out the big machines for students to maneuver, companies also set up booths to show off what they do.
Doug Roy, head of operations with Travis Millwork and Painting, talked with students about what they can offer them.
“We like kids to understand there are other career paths besides college,” Roy says. “There is a dire need for skilled laborers.”
Names of the companies who participated in this year’s fair are listed here.
- ARI
- Big State Electric
- Dawson Construction
- Dirt Works
- GVTC
- High Sierra
- Infinity Concrete
- M & S Engineering
- Marksman General Contractors
- McCoys
- Patriot Construction
- Sherwood Surveying
- Skanska
- Sunrise Concrete Pumping
- Terracon
- Tex Mix
- Texas First Rentals
- Travis Millwork and Painting
- United Rentals
Comal ISD CTE teachers who participated in this year’s fair besides Rudloff include Sam Arrieta, Andrew Gomez, Jose Vazquez, Lively Bryner, Nathan Nunley, Joseph Percevecz and Nikki Rudloff.
“Offering opportunities like this is important,” says Rudloff, “because it bridges the gap between education and industry. Students not only explore potential careers but also build confidence, communication skills, and a clearer sense of purpose. Our goal is to help them imagine their future and understand how their creativity and technical skills can translate into meaningful, high-demand professions.”
Rudloff and his fellow CTE instructors are already planning next year's fair, hoping to expand its reach to include more industries and more students on their paths to success. Local companies who are interested in partnering with Comal ISD's CTE programs may reach out to Renee Martinez, CTE director, at [email protected].
Learn more about Comal ISD's CTE programs.
Photo descriptions
-Keith Mott with GVTC shows Smithson Valley High School student, Liam Blair, cables that run services to homes.
-Canyon High School freshman, Marley Garcia, tries his hand at painting a wall using a professional sprayer provided by Travis Painting.
-Smithson Valley High School freshman, Aiden Koliba, took a turn a driving a skid steer during the third annual Construction and Design Fair Nov. 12 at SVHS.
-Smithson Valley High School senior, Scarlett Leon, learned more about Terracon from Mike Stump and Jay Webster who brought a large drone to show students.
-Smithson Valley High School construction teacher and founder of the Construction Fair, Dalton Rudloff, helps SVHS student Cruz King with driving a mini excavator during the fair on Nov. 12 at SVHS.
-Smithson Valley High School students Jack Murphy, Porter Cox, and Alex Gonzalez helped smooth concrete for a sidewalk at SVHS during the Construction Fair on Nov. 12.
-Students participating in the third annual Construction and Design Fair at Smithson Valley High School Nov. 12 took turns driving construction equipment such as skid steers and excavators and forklifts.
-Two 11th-grade students from Smithson Valley High School, Orion Martinez and Riley Spivey, assist in the construction of a sidewalk at SVHS during the third annual Construction and Design Fair Nov. 12.
-The third annual Construction and Design Fair Nov. 12 at Smithson Valley High School included vendors from local construction companies along with equipment which students could maneuver.