SWCC builds roofs for woofs

Southwestern Community College’s carpentry and building trades program constructed and donated six doghouses to Dog Gone Rescue and Creston Animal Rescue. The project involved area high school students who participated on the annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) day on Oct. 15.

SWCC Vice President of Instruction Lindsay Stoaks said doghouse construction is a tradition with CTE day.

“The project has been a part of CTE Day since the inception of the signature event back in 2013,” she said. “The doghouses provide students with the opportunity to read a blueprint and construct a smaller project from start to nearly finish. There are a lot of critical thinking, mathematical computation, accuracy and teamwork skills that are packed into this project.”

SWCC carpentry and buildings trades instructor Ron Utley emphasized building on the tradition of CTE day.

“The doghouse-building contest is a highlight for high school students each year at CTE day,” he stated in a press release. “This year we’re taking it one step further by finishing these structures so some of our local animal-assistance organizations can utilize them to care for the animals they rescue.”

Stoaks also said all high school students across the southwest and south central corridor of Iowa were invited. Students from Creston, Lenox, Essex, CAM and others participated in the construction.

This is the first year SWCC partnered with animal rescue organizations to involve students and local businesses in a project.

“In the past, the projects were disassembled, however, faculty and staff members saw an opportunity to partner with a local business to finish out the projects in an effort to provide shelter for companion animals,” Stoaks said. “Donating the student-constructed projects to the animal rescue organizations is a win-win.”

Akin Building Center of Creston donated $300 in supplies. Only six doghouses were constucted this year and six student ambassadors were involved in painting the doghouses.