MHS makes their mark on the Moose

Kayli Johnson, First-Level Reporter|January 13, 2020

A group of Level 3 Building Trades are renovating the Moose in Milton. The renovations include a Teen Center and a Maker Space with new technology and activities, according to Building Trades Teacher Mr. Douglas Walter

Mr. Walter said the main group includes Level 3 Building Trades seniors Cole Matter, Colton Loreman, Jillian Ferguson and Zach Schreffler. He added that while this group does most of the work, some Level 2 students help occasionally.

The group will be working on demolition and building fundamentals in a real-world setting, as opposed to their normal classroom environment, Mr. Walter said.

He added that the class has also made planter boxes for the Chef’s Garden at the Moose, which was a project that was sponsored by ConAgra. According to Mr. Walter, these planters grew different ingredients that can be used to make tomato sauce for spaghetti. People from the community were then able to come to these planters and take ingredients to make their own sauce, he added.

Mr. Walter said the group is working with The Improved Milton Experience (T.I.M.E.), a community improvement organization, to complete the projects at the Moose. He added that the Building Trades students have been working with T.I.M.E. since the beginning of last school year.

Mr. George Venios, T.I.M.E. executive director, said T.I.M.E. is a non-profit organization in Milton that is focused on improving the community. “T.I.M.E. envisions a community that is clean, safe, historically significant and architecturally interesting,” he said. “The corporation wants to involve as many individuals, businesses and organizations as possible to complete this goal.”

According to Mr. Venios, the Degenstein Foundation of Sunbury is funding the project. “The students are renovating a 5,000 sq. ft space into multiple spaces for MakerSpace program,” he added.

Mr. Walter said the Building Trades Students are expected to be finished with the first stage of the Teen Center by the beginning of 2020 and the entire project in two years.

He added that the next stage involves a hydroponic garden and will include the help of Science Teacher Mr. David Bittner’s classes.

“We have learned a lot like framing walls, how to put up finish work, install windows, and everyone’s favorite, demolition, but [we] do it safely within a timely fashion,” said Zach Schreffler of his experience.

He added that this will give him experience for the future. “I am planning on becoming an electrician for the union,” he said.

Mr. Walter said he doesn’t interfere much with the work his students are doing and allows them to complete the tasks on their own except for explaining how to do certain tasks and giving tips.

The group has been doing most of the work during school hours when they have class, said Mr. Walter. He added that they have also worked on their own time as well, such as during weekends and breaks.

Mr. Walter said the class has completed other projects like this before, including a shed/shelter box for the high school daycare, which works with the Early Childhood Education class.