Four Lorain County JVS building trades programs came together to build a playhouse for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Home Improvement Show, held at Cleveland’s Huntington Convention Center in March.
The playhouse, built by students in the Carpentry, Masonry Trades, Heating and Air Conditioning, and Industrial Electricity programs, was auctioned off during the NARI Home Improvement Show by way of a silent auction and went for the bid of $5,800 with the money coming back to the students and their career tech programs.
The log cabin style playhouse features a 2nd-floor loft, Bluetooth speakers, metal roof, Dutch door, GFCI outlets with USB plugs, heating and air conditioning, LED color-changing lights, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and stone front.
Carpentry senior, Madison Detamore, shared that working on this project made her feel she was working on something important. “When I think about the work we have done, I feel proud. We are doing something that more people are going to see and something that we built here is going to go somewhere else and someone is going to enjoy it.”
“The students learned how to coordinate plans and communicate with each other to be productive in the workplace,” shared Michelle McClintic, Lorain County JVS supervisor. “These soft skills are essential for becoming a great employee, and I love that the project allowed them to continue developing and strengthening them.”
Masonry Trades senior, Ryan Reed liked how the project highlights the skills the students have in their different career tech programs and likes that it was on display for the public to see.
“The process has been kind of hard,” said Cole Inman, Industrial Electricity junior. “Some of us are on the inside of the house and some of us are on the outside, so we have to communicate with each other about where we are at and what needs to be done.”
“It feels good to work on this size of a project and in the end, you know that it is going to be auctioned off, and whoever bids the highest is going to get it,” Inman said with a smile.
All the students that worked on the playhouse were recognized on the opening day of the show on the main stage. Students received certificates of acknowledgment for their work.
NARI Greater Cleveland President, Mark M. Maltry, Jr. addressed the students, expressing that it was his goal to partner with local career tech schools and build a long-lasting partnership with them and NARI.
“For me, you guys being here is what has made this show important, and I’m very proud you are here.”