High school students visiting the Delaware Area Career Center’s construction class got to try out a hands-on project, and local dog shelters are reaping the benefits.
Kohl Staley, a senior in the construction program at the DACC, said the construction class was trying to think of ways to engage high school students visiting the DACC during “School to Career Day,” an event where sophomores from local high schools would visit the DACC campuses to see if any of the programs interest them.
Staley said that in previous years the visiting students and construction students would build birdhouses together, but many times the visiting students wouldn’t want to take the birdhouses with them and they would be left in the hallway or thrown in the trash.
“We decided if we did something for the community, they would be more committed,” Staley said. Staley said the construction instructor, Gene Scott, found plans for doghouses and gathered the materials for School to Career visits on Nov. 20, 23 and 24.
Staley said the doghouses would be donated to the Morrow County animal shelter and the Delaware County animal shelter upon their completion. Staley said the visiting students were much more engaged when they heard that.
“You can really tell when someone wants to commit to a project,” Staley said.
Staley said it helps that the houses only took about 35 to 40 minutes to make. After the students left, Staley said DACC construction students put the finishing touches on houses and stained them.
“We even had an individual contact us when they heard about us donating to the shelters and asked us to make one for them,” Staley said.
In total, the visiting students and the construction students made 13 doghouses.
Alicia Mowry, public relations supervisor at the DACC, said the project was a great opportunity for the visiting students and the construction students alike.
“Many of our teachers incorporate community service into their curriculum and as a district, we are often looking for ways to give back,” Mowry said. “Mr. Scott was able to use these dog houses to show students who are interested in attending DACC what it’s like to be part of his program and introduce the importance of community service at the same time.”