By Elaine Rassel
The MMCRU Industrial Tech class had an open house on Saturday 9 a.m. to Noon. This class has had wide recognition as a state of the art for what it has accomplished. Recent visitors have been Sen. Ernst and Sen. Chuck Grassley who were more than pleased with what they saw.
This Tech class has been recognized for “getting students ready for their future”. Realizing how important this is, several area businesses have participated (financially). They are looking for workers and this is the place where they began looking. There are some of these students that could leave after graduation and enter one of these businesses, however, they are encouraged to go for two or four more years and get a degree that seems to be needed for some businesses.
Their instructor, Mr. Hansen has had more than the usual students enrolling in his classes and asked for a helper. Mr. Long was hired for this position.
When I went to their open house, the first thing I saw was a big shed being built. Some students have already built outside buildings_a garage (across from the school) and a playhouse that has made a little girl very happy.
Next were several table tops that were beautiful! It was unbelievable the grains that were brought out in these tops. There was an article built that was displayed at the MMCRU Foundation Dinner. There was a chest of drawers that was made by Nathan Harvey (Grade 11) that was the “Best of the Show”. He was also the Runner up in ALL categories! This student is going places with his work!
There were Grandfather’s clocks in the next room. Wherever you looked, there were these clocks (probably wall clocks). If they would have had the “insides” in them and were all set for the 12th hour, there wouldn’t be a bird left with all the sound these clocks would have given out! The front panel of the clock had the student’s name by engraving, painting, or whatever as to identify the student’s work.
Not everyone is interested in wood so there were items shown where welding was needed to make the item. Also shown was a display using Legos.
Some students made outside grills. Actually, these were probably made better than the ones we get that are imported. If you were in need of a “fire pit”, you could see all kinds of these at this show. Some were made as simple as possible while others were more decorative.
There were tables of interesting items that a person could put a bid on that would later on be revealed as to who got the item.
If you missed this open-house, you missed something! These students really are doing what they are interested in. And_this Tech program is not just for boys. Girls are very much interested in doing something other than finding out how to use a kitchen knife as a screw driver in case of an emergency!