Minot Frantzen by Caitlin Tatsch

Frantzen Inspires Next Generation of Girls in Construction: Shaping Buildings and Attitudes

Throughout history, strong, independent women have made big headlines. Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa and Amelia Earhart were all influential women in the shaping of our American culture. These women all had one thing in common: they weren’t afraid to try. 

Minot Frantzen, although she is still in high school, has one thing in common with these three powerful women: confidence. She currently is the only girl in the junior and senior classes to participate in and represent the construction endorsement. 

“Personally, I am a hands-on learner, and I get the most experience if I am physically doing something,” Frantzen said. “I thought construction would be a great way to express that.”

Frantzen has been exposed to the construction industry by her family; her grandparents started their own business, Inside Story, which is currently run by her parents. Her mother focuses on interior design while her father and uncle lay tile and carpet in homes and businesses. 

“Both of my parents are within the construction industry, so of course, they had some impact, but ultimately it was Hunter [Frantzen’s brother] because he took construction classes at FHS his sophomore year and really enjoyed it,” Frantzen said. 

During her time in high school construction classes, Frantzen hopes to determine if she wants to pursue a degree in architecture. 

“My brother, currently attending Texas A&M University, has deviated from a construction science degree and is now on the engineering track,” Frantzen said. “If I decide to focus on architecture, my time in construction courses will benefit me in the future.”

Frantzen is currently enrolled in the Construction 2 class, which takes up her sixth and seventh periods as a double-blocked class and focuses on the construction of the tiny house. 

“Construction is nice because you don’t have any homework and what you’ve finished throughout the day is where you stop and where you pick up the next day,” Frantzen said. “It really doesn’t affect my extracurriculars.”

Frantzen said that beginning in the construction endorsement was difficult because it was a small class, and it was hard for her to open up in a class full of boys. As the year progressed though, she began to come out of her shell about who she wanted to be and what she wanted to do within the community.

“[Construction] makes me be able to, or get out of, my comfort zone because sometimes I have trouble talking to guys so that just helps me open up more and have a good time with the people I’m with,” Frantzen said. “It allows me to build my character of who I want to be because I have to stand my ground. If I want something done, I have to get it done, and I can’t rely on guys to do that for me.”

Frantzen contributes to her class by working on the “Tiny House,” which is constructed by the junior and senior construction classes as their annual project for the Hill Country Builders Association. The project will be completed by the end of the spring semester. 

“[The progress] on the tiny house is coming along,” Frantzen said. “It’s very slow right now because we are having to clean and cut our flooring down, tongue and groove the floors, and polish them before we can start. Right now it’s just a slow process.”

Frantzen loves the many facets of construction, including their trades teacher, Mr. Mike Muertter. 

“Our construction teacher is Mr. Muertter, and I really like that he has experience and knowledge about construction from another country,” Frantzen said. “He lived and worked in Germany for 30 years, and I think that’s fascinating to know how builders operate in Germany versus how American builders operate.”

Being the only girl in the junior and senior construction classes can be intimidating and sometimes challenging, Frantzen admits, but she will have a lasting impact on the next generation of young girls involved with construction at FHS.

“It makes me feel honored knowing I impact many younger girls’ lives,” Frantzen said. “I just want to welcome anyone who wants to participate in construction because it really is a fun experience. Even if you don’t want to pursue it for the rest of your lifetime, you have the knowledge to be able to be independent while wanting to pursue something else.”