Folsom High student Fallon Griffin wins innovation award, Cordova High educator Faith Caplan named Mentor of the Year
Career Technical Education programs at Folsom Cordova Unified School District are once again proving to be a launchpad for future innovators. Students and educators from both Folsom High School and Cordova High School recently showcased their talent and creativity at the 2025 Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SVMA) Manufacturing Challenge, joining more than 100 students from 17 high schools across the region for a day of collaboration and hands-on engineering.
Among the standout achievements at this year’s challenge was Folsom High School student Fallon Griffin, who received a $500 award in cash and tools for her original project—a fully accessible Tic-Tac-Toe game designed specifically for the visually impaired. Griffin’s invention combined laser-cut game pieces, smart sensors, voice feedback, and braille to create a version of the classic game that could be played by blind individuals, earning praise for both its creativity and inclusivity.
On the faculty side, Faith Caplan, a teacher in Engineering and Product Innovation & Design at Cordova High School, was honored as Mentor of the Year by SME Sacramento Valley. In recognition of her outstanding guidance and leadership, Caplan received a $1,000 honorarium. In addition, she was awarded a $2,500 grant from Sandvik Coromant to fund equipment needs for her classroom, helping to ensure her students continue to have access to cutting-edge tools and learning opportunities.
Caplan also led the largest student group to compete in the challenge, bringing 17 Cordova High School students to participate in the high-energy day of problem solving and design.
The SVMA Manufacturing Challenge emphasizes not just competition, but the collaborative spirit of innovation and the inclusive future being built by today’s student engineers. From accessible product design to mentorship excellence, the event highlighted how real-world learning is making a lasting impact across local campuses.
Hosted annually by the Sacramento Valley Manufacturers Alliance, the SVMA Manufacturing Challenge is designed to spark student interest in vocational manufacturing careers while giving them an opportunity to apply hands-on skills in a creative and meaningful way. The 2025 competition invited high school students from the Greater Sacramento region to design and manufacture a tic-tac-toe game using both additive and subtractive manufacturing processes.
Projects were required to fit within a 6.5-inch cube and incorporate materials such as wood, metal, and plastic. Each entry had to include at least one subtractive manufacturing technique and be completed individually. Students were judged across several categories including innovation, functionality, and artistic merit, with a total of $5,000 in scholarships awarded to top finishers—such as “Best Overall” and “Most Artistic.”
Beyond the competition, the event served as a valuable introduction to real-world career opportunities. Participants had the chance to meet local manufacturers and industry representatives, some of whom offer apprenticeships and sponsorships to support student pathways into skilled trades and manufacturing careers.
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