Construction Technology Program students from the National Park College (NPC) Career Academy showcased their skills by building a custom shed during the US 97 Royal Home and Outdoor show last week.
The shed was constructed under the guidance of Greg Mundy, Construction Technology instructor. The materials were donated by Lowe’s of Hot Springs, while the doors and windows were provided by Royal Home Improvement.
Mundy explained, “I was buying some windows and doors at Royal Windows and Siding from Tiger Jordan. He had an idea to have a shed built during the home show. He put Debra Dupree, from US 97, in touch with me. A meeting was set up between the Director of Career Academy Sheryl Strother, Debra and me to discuss what would be possible for our students to accomplish. We decided upon an 8’ x 10’ storage shed that would be given away at the end of the show. Debra approached Lowe’s about donating the material for the shed and Lowe’s manager Jacinda Whitbey graciously donated all the materials for the build.”
Mundy highlighted the dual benefits of the project, “This experience helps students use the skills they are currently acquiring in carpentry class, allowing them to give back and to receive volunteer hours needed for their high school graduation requirements.”
Ava Allison, a student from Lakeside High School, expressed her enthusiasm for construction, “I’ve always found construction really interesting and my uncle does it.” She added, “We’ve done some birdhouses, some crates, and one full-scale model of a real shed.”
Brandon Jarvis, also from Lakeside High School, shared his journey into the Construction Technology program, “I saw the career presentation they did at Lakeside. I saw the construction one and it piqued my interest.” Jarvis plans to pursue a career in HVAC or construction.”
Participating students included Ava Allison, Jordan Anderson, Talen Cook, Logan Dorathy, Cannon Ellis, Mason Freeman, Jonathan Hamilton, Aniyah Humphrey, Brandon Jarvis, Jeremy McCoy, Erik Negrete, Jaxon Prall, Garrison Quast, Nelson Ramos, Nicholas Reynolds, Juan Rodriguez, Roberto Santillan, Micah Southard, Darione Wentwoth, and Asher Williams.
“I would like to say thank you to Lowe’s for giving our students at NPC Career Academy the opportunity to show off their skills,” Mundy said. “I am very proud of all the students who worked on the project and did such a great job. Many of the vendors and visitors to the show were very complimentary of our students and their construction abilities. These were first-year construction students and doing this project at the home show allowed us to make some great connections with the community and possible partnerships in the future,” stated Mundy.