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 The
home is an open concept with the living and dining room area. There
are three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. In the back of the house
is a laundry room/mud room. Large hallways were eliminated for more
space. All the walls are insulated, which will help with both
temperature and sound control. The residents will be able to park on
the street or in the back off the alley because of the way it was
built.
Many of the students involved in building trades had their families
with them at the open house to show the work they had done and
provide a guided tour.
LTEC Director Matt Puckett, building trades
instructor John Ford, and Habitat for Humanity representative Jamie
Voyles.
This year was Ford's fourth year as a building trades teacher, and
he has helped oversee four building projects.
Ford faced a challenge during his first year teaching the program
when construction on the house was halted four weeks from completion
due to the closure of schools due to COVID.
Though the closure extended through the last several weeks of
school, the project still needed to be completed. Fortunately, Ford
is a construction expert who had actually designed the entire home
from the ground up. Therefore, he set about the task of completing
the home on his own so the school could move forward with the
selling process.
Puckett said building the house is a great experience
for the kids. He also thinks it is great to have the community
support plus support from Habitat for Humanity and all the schools.
Schools involved in the LTEC program are Greenview, Hartsburg-Emden,
Illini Central, LCHS, Mount Pulaski, PORTA and
Williamsville-Sherman. Next year, Delavan will join the program.
LTEC student Caitlin Summers said she gained a lot of experience
putting up a roof wall and cabinets. She found it to be a good
experience and learned a lot.
Dakota Bawser, another LTEC student said his favorite part was the
whole experience of building a house.
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Something LTEC tech student James McCree, of
Hartsburg Emden High School, learned was to always have a plan.
LTEC student Michelle Benner, another Hartem student,
helped with the electrical and said she loved every bit of the work.
Because Habitat for Humanity funds the materials Voyles said that is
helpful for the school. He said it is a good experience for the
students. This is the third house the Building Trades class has
built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The families chosen
for the Habitat for Humanity house must put in 150 hours of sweat
equity as the house is built.
Lincoln community high school has had a building trades program
since the 1940s. It was in 1967 that LCHS and other area high
schools partnered to form the LTEC building trades program.
Since then, LTEC has built several homes in the local communities
and has also been involved with a number of refurbished and rebuild
projects already standing.
In addition to building trades the LTEC program offers technical
education in several areas. These include advanced metals,
automotive technology, the Lincoln land CEO program, Computer
Science, Cosmetology, Criminal justice, Culinary arts, and Health
Occupations.
The program is open to juniors and seniors. Enrollment is open to
any of these students regardless of their level of knowledge and
experience. No prerequisite classes are required.
Those interested in learning more about LTEC can find more
information on the LTEC website (LTEC41.Org) or call LCHS at
217-732-4131 extension 1282.
Habitat for Humanity will hold the house blessing for the new build
this Sunday, May 7 at 2:30 p.m.
[Angela Reiners]
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