WHS Carpentry Class builds benches for Pre-K

By JOSH BROWN School Board Member

On a recent school visit to Wakulla Pre-K during an outdoor classroom event, several teachers and even some students spoke up about the need to replace some of their outdoor stools and benches.
Donated some time ago, they had fallen into disrepair and were starting to show their age. Their stools are actually rounds cut from trees, which work perfectly and fit in nicely with the outdoor classroom theme the Eaglets of Wakulla Pre-K have. One phone call to Vito Knowles with Good Times for Rent and the rounds needed for their outdoor classroom were graciously donated and delivered.
If you see he or his crew around town give them an “Attaboy.” People helping people is what Wakulla is all about and the time and effort spent by Mr. Knowles and his crew were much appreciated. But what about the benches? Buying them was going to cost quite a bit and the money wasn’t in the school’s budget for new benches. This got me to thinking, which can be dangerous.
Wakulla High School has an excellent carpentry program. Maybe with some help we could handle this need In House?
Again, one quick phone call to Principal Michele Falk at the high school and I had an immediate “Yes, absolutely we can do that!”
With some community help the materials were donated to build three benches custom-sized for our small friends at the Pre-K.
Thank you to Gulf Coast Lumber for helping facilitate getting them ordered and delivered. Within days, Mr. McCurley, our MVP in this operation who runs the carpentry program at Wakulla High School, sprang into action and work began. Teaching and working with his many gifted students, the carpentry class designed, constructed, and helped deliver two custom benches, complete with Eco-Friendly long-lasting composite tops built to last many, many years serving the Wakulla Pre-K outdoor classroom.
What a great way to not only teach our students construction skills that will serve them for their lifetimes, but it also showed them how to use those skills to help others, which in my opinion might even be the most valuable lesson our students learn.
The Wakulla High School Carpentry program of today is so much more than just a place for students to build things, it’s a Home Builder Institute Accredited program, offering students three different certifications. Many of the students who worked on the project have already earned their HBI PACT industry certification, and many more are taking the test this November.
At the same time some of these students are earning dual enrollment hours through Lively Technical College.
Problem solving at its best: Wakulla Pre-K now has new stools and the absolute best outdoor benches. Wakulla High School Carpentry program learned some new skills and were able to see their work help others in need.
Perhaps best of all, because of such a giving community we live in, no money was spent and everything was donated. That’s a Win, Win, Win scenario if I do say so myself, and I am grateful to live in a county where this is the norm, not a miracle. If you know or happen to see Principal Falk, Mr. Mcurley, or Mrs. Wheeler, or any students in the carpentry program please give them a pat on the back. Our oldest students helping out our youngest students is a model that will never get old.
Job well done everyone! You made me very proud to be a War Eagle alumni and a member of this great school system and community.
Josh Brown is a Wakulla County School Board member.