Which architecture firm acquires the contract for the new junior high? Do you think Mr. Kowalski does the right thing in the end? Explain your answer.

In the story, Hoodhood and Associates eventually wins the contract for the junior high. Prior to Hoodhood and Associates winning the contract, an unpleasant incident almost destroyed Holling and Meryl Lee's budding romance.

Accordingly, after drawing out a schematic of his father's architectural proposal for Meryl Lee, Holling is horrified to discover that Mr. Kowalski has stolen his father's design ideas. He thinks that Meryl Lee is to blame. However, Meryl Lee asserts that she had no knowledge her father would appropriate Mr. Hoodhood's design for his own; she merely shared it because she was so impressed with it. Despite her protests at the unfairness of Holling's accusations, Holling refuses to believe her.

As a result, both young people are at odds with each other. Eventually, Holling has a change of heart when he realizes that Meryl Lee was greatly affected by her father's treachery. He decides to reconcile with her and purchases two Cokes and a rose for Meryl Lee. When he rings the doorbell at the Kowalski home, Mr. Kowalski greets him at the door, and Holling notices that Mr. Kowalski appears a little uncomfortable when he mentions that he would like to see Meryl Lee. However, Mr. Kowalski lets him in, and the two young friends eventually manage to renew their friendship.

The next day, Kowalski and Associates withdraws its bid, and the contract is awarded to Hoodhood and Associates.

On Thursday, before the school board met to decide on its new architect, Kowalski and Associates withdrew its bid for the new junior high school. Hoodhood and Associates was given the contract.

From all indications, Mr. Kowalski does the right thing because the designs he presented before the board weren't his own. Also, from the story, one can infer that Mr. Kowalski might also have been greatly affected by the pain he caused his own daughter due to his lack of integrity. By withdrawing from the contract bidding war, Mr. Kowalski managed to retain his self-respect, his daughter's regard, and perhaps even the greater community's continued esteem.