Crispus Attucks York Career Focus Institute Planning & Design Students Showcase Creativity During Final Presentations

YORK, PA — The Crispus Attucks York Career Focus Institute proudly celebrated the conclusion of its third annual Planning & Design Program as students presented their final projects to family members, community leaders, instructors, and program partners at the Crispus Attucks York History & Culture Center. The six-week program introduced youth to careers in architecture, planning, engineering, and community development while challenging them to design innovative spaces that meet the needs of young people in York.

 

The event showcased much more than student presentations—it highlighted the power of exposure, mentorship, and collaboration in helping young people discover career opportunities they may have never considered.

Opening Remarks: Creating Career Pathways

Barry Freeland, Director of the Crispus Attucks York Career Focus Institute, welcomed attendees by emphasizing the program’s mission to introduce students to career pathways that are often underrepresented among women and minorities.

 

“Part of our charge is to identify career pathways and career opportunities for young people in our community that don’t normally have the opportunity to get exposure to these particular careers.”

Freeland reflected on the Career Focus Institute’s recent workforce development initiatives, including the Management & Leadership Program and the Codorus Creek STEAM Ambassadors Program, before highlighting the continued success of the Planning & Design Program, now in its third year.

He thanked Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects for their ongoing partnership and commitment to exposing local youth to careers in architecture, planning, and design.

“Our goal is to continue opening doors for young people,” Freeland shared. “We especially want to encourage more young women to explore these career pathways and continue building this program for years to come.”

A Partnership That Continues to Grow

Representing Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, Frank E. Dittenhafer II, FAIA, LEED AP, thanked Crispus Attucks York for inviting the firm back for a third consecutive year and expressed his appreciation for the students, families, instructors, and community supporters who helped make the program another success.

Dittenhafer noted that each year the program evolves, allowing students’ creativity to shape the direction of the design challenge while keeping the focus on improving the York community.

“This has truly been a privilege,” he shared. “Every year is different, and we enjoy allowing the students’ creativity to guide where design and planning take us.”

He also recognized instructors Steven, Harper, Maddie, and everyone who contributed their time and expertise throughout the six-week experience.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Lead instructor Steven walked attendees through the students’ six-week learning journey, explaining how the program combined classroom instruction, site exploration, guest speakers, and hands-on design experiences.

Students began by touring the Crispus Attucks York History & Culture Center while learning the fundamentals of architectural programming and space planning. They analyzed how buildings function by identifying spaces needed within a community-centered facility before organizing those ideas into preliminary program layouts.

The following week, students conducted site analyses by visiting the proposed project location, documenting existing buildings, trees, public spaces, and surrounding infrastructure to better understand how architects and planners evaluate potential development sites.

Throughout the summer, students also learned from several industry professionals, including:

• Josh George of Landworks Civil Design, who introduced students to site planning and civil engineering concepts.
• Dylan Bauer of Royal Square Development, who discussed redevelopment projects throughout York and encouraged students to share their own ideas for improving the city.
• Architects from Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, who shared their educational journeys, career experiences, and passion for architecture.

One of the students’ favorite experiences was visiting the Murphy & Dittenhafer offices, where they designed their own creative office environments by selecting materials, paint colors, finishes, and furniture concepts from the firm’s professional materials library.

The primary design challenge centered around creating a conceptual Student Hub on a site near William Penn High School and Penn Park. Using an actual property with real dimensions, students were challenged to envision a destination that could provide recreation, education, wellness, and after-school opportunities for York’s youth.

Student Creativity Takes Center Stage 

The highlight of the evening came as students confidently presented their final projects before family members, instructors, elected officials, and community partners.

Working in teams, students explained how they transformed their ideas into detailed floor plans designed to meet the needs of local youth.

One presentation featured a three-level Student Hub that included:

• Indoor basketball and football recreation areas
• Study rooms and collaborative learning spaces
• A movie theater
• Café and outdoor gathering areas
• Charging stations
• Spa and wellness spaces
• Trampoline and gaming areas
• Lounge spaces and accessible public amenities

Students discussed the inspiration behind their layouts, the reasoning for each space, and how thoughtful design can create welcoming environments that encourage learning, recreation, and community engagement.

Their presentations reflected six weeks of collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving while demonstrating growing confidence in public speaking and design presentation skills.

Investing in York’s Future

The event concluded with remarks from Mayor Sandie Walker, who applauded the students’ creativity and reaffirmed the City of York’s commitment to workforce development and career exploration opportunities for local youth.

Mayor Walker explained that workforce development was identified as a funding priority when federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources became available because investing in young people strengthens the future of York.

She encouraged students to continue exploring new career opportunities and reminded them that exposure to different professions can completely change the direction of their future.

“If you can see something different and new, it opens up a world of possibility for you.”

Mayor Walker shared that programs like the Planning & Design Program are essential because they introduce students to careers they may never have known existed while building confidence to pursue those opportunities.

She concluded by expressing her hope that one day these same students will return as architects, planners, engineers, and designers presenting projects that help shape the future of the City of York.

Giving Rise to Possible

The Planning & Design Program exemplifies the mission of the Crispus Attucks York Career Focus Institute by connecting education with career exploration and preparing the next generation of leaders through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.

Crispus Attucks York extends its sincere appreciation to Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, Frank E. Dittenhafer II, FAIA, LEED AP, Steven, Harper, Maddie, Landworks Civil Design, Royal Square Development, Mayor Sandie Walker, the students and their families, and all community partners who invested their time and expertise into this year’s program.

 

Together, these partnerships continue to Give Rise to Possible by inspiring young people to imagine new possibilities—not only for themselves, but for the future of York.