BC carpentry build to graduation platforms; several Airport students in class

Within the next few months, BC’s carpentry class, including two Airport seniors, will be building Airport’s graduation platforms.

Airport’s graduation has been moved to the football field and a stage will be needed. The district has asked BC carpentry’s level four students to build the platforms. In the class are two Airport seniors, Nathan Shull and Matthew Mcaulay. Not many students seems to care the graduation platforms will be built at our rival school one senior said, “I think it's pretty cool and efficient for them [the district] to have students build the platforms.”

“The Airport and BC students will do an even amount of work on the platform,” says BC carpentry teacher Mr. Shumpert. “The students will get to work with different tools and grow their skills.”

This project will save the district money by not having to rent The Coliseum and by having students building the platforms. The platforms can also be used in the future for things besides graduation, such as drama or band performances.

Carpentry student Matthew Macaulay said, “After the fifth or sixth one, it'll be all muscle memory, easy after a while.” There will be 18 platforms built, so after the first few are built, it will be mostly from memory.

Mr Shumpert was asked how he feels about BC carpentry building Airport platforms, he responded, “ It doesn't bother me; it helps out other school, and I'm an Airport graduate.” He also said, “We take pride in our work, no matter what the project is.”

Another Airport student said, “ I trust them to do a good job. Otherwise, the district wouldn't have put them in charge of building them.”

Although many students said they know of the CATE class, CATE students deserve more recognition. They think the students who are building the platforms should be recognized at the graduation ceremony. They also think more CATE classes should be offered.

Many students are not happy that we are graduating on the football field. They wish we were still at The Coliseum. Students think it will be too hot and that graduation is too early that morning.

If you would like to take carpentry class, talk to your guidance counselor. There are four levels of the class, but you can start level one at any upperclassman grade. You bus over to BC during level third block for level one and two, and first block for level three and four your senior year.