BCS carpentry students are already preparing for the dog days of summer, building places for pups to get some shade.
Classes from several mountain high schools, including Enka, Erwin, North Buncombe, Reynolds and Roberson, are participating in the “Pawrade of Homes,” part of this weekend’s WNC Build and Remodel Expo at the WNC Ag Center. The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains provided each school with an identical set of materials from 84 Lumber, including framing lumber, sheathing, trim, and shingles. Students worked alongside their teachers to develop designs for their doghouses. Schools were not permitted to purchase additional supplies, but could incorporate donated or upcycled materials as long as they remain within a defined retail value limit-a challenge that encourages problem-solving, resourcefulness, and creativity.
You can see the creations throughout the expo, but the project is about more than showcasing student craftsmanship.
“The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains aims to strengthen the skilled labor pipeline by engaging local high schools,” said Jeff Ehrhardt, an association member and home builder representative with Sherwin-Williams. “We believe this program will help to inspire students to pursue careers in the construction trades while also increasing community awareness of our organization.”
The WNC Build and Remodel Expo takes place Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Davis Event Center. General admission is $10. $5 for seniors 65+, military, first responders, and educators. Kids 12 and under are admitted free.