After an eight-year hiatus, the Building Trades class at Geneseo High School returned for the 2023-24 school year with a group of six students constructing a home with the help of local businesses.
Career and technical education teacher Bryan Stone served as the instructor and led the eight-month project, which saw students Luke Abrahamsen-Collins, Karson Bannister, Alexis Clementz, Alexander Davis, Keagan Hohenadal and Will Hammerlinck build a home located at 851 East Street in Geneseo (corner of East and Pine).
The 3-bedroom, 2-full bathroom, 1,568 square-foot house features an open concept kitchen, dining and great room, vaulted ceilings, a 3-car garage, zero-step accessible entry, and a gas fireplace with a stone face and custom mantel. Other highlights include quartz countertops in the kitchen, a custom tile shower in the master bathroom, and covered rear and front porches.
“The Building Trades class is one of our career pathways and there are several prerequisite classes that students must first take, including Introduction to Woods and Metals, Woodworking I and II, and Building Trades for juniors,” said Mr. Stone. “By the time students are seniors, they go into the workplace to work half-days on site with their employer.”
While the instruction for Building Trades seniors begins in the classroom, Mr. Stone estimates that it’s “90% hands-on job training” that prepares students for the work itself.
“We’ve really tried to step up our efforts across the board and have been working with local contractors to rebuild the Building Trades program,” Mr. Stone explained. “With a bigger need currently for tradesmen and construction workers, and with support from the community, we’ve been able to revamp the program and take it to places it’s never been before.”
The Building Trades project relied on various local partners to finish the home, including Hazelwood Homes, Wirth Plumbing, VanOpdorp Electric, Elite Concrete, Today’s Builders, Durian Builders, and Village Home Stores.
Alexander Davis and Alexis Clementz, two of the six Building Trades students and members of the high school’s graduating Class of 2024, said they enjoyed the experience.
“I’ve been doing this type of work for quite some time, so some of it wasn’t new to me, but I learned to become part of a team and tried to teach others what I already knew,” said Davis. “When there were problems, I’d try to come up with solutions.”
“I also had a lot of experience, but I agree it was good to become a better team member and there are always new things you can learn,” said Clementz.
Both students say they would recommend the Building Trades to up and coming GHS students.
“For sure, especially if it means trying something new,” said Davis, who works for Today’s Builders. “You have to take the other classes first to learn about woods and metals, and it’s a good progression. I took every class like this that I could, and I enjoyed them all.”
Clementz, who wants to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and work with HVAC or become an electrician, agreed.
“It starts with wanting to do it,” she said. “If you have a question, all you have to do is ask. Once you get started, be ready to work and keep on going. That’s what I’ve done and I feel like I’ve come a long way.”
Clementz added, “We did a little bit of everything and it was a great experience. We put a lot of pride and hard work into this home.”
The Building Trades home is located at 851 East St. and has been listed for $382,000. Contact Jay Pettit of Hazelwood Homes at 309-314-4211 to learn more and set up a showing.
