Culver Building Trades Holds Annual Luncheon

CULVER- On Wednesday, April 27th the Culver Building Trades Program held their annual luncheon to recognize participating students and to hold the Spring board meeting. The luncheon was hosted by Papas in Culver, IN and was sponsored by Randy Lemler and Beth Styers from Teacher Credit Union.

Kyle Elliott, Building Trades Instructor, recognized each student for their participation in the 2021-2022 program and thanked them for their hard work and dedication to building the new home. Elliott also honored Albert Hanselman who recently retired as the CTE Program Director and his secretary, Sandy Thomas who also recently retired.

Hanselman awarded Gavin Martinez, a senior at Knox High School who will be going into the Carpentry Union, a $7,000 scholarship to assist with costs. The Scholarship was made possible through a Scholarship Fund that started by the Hanselman family after Albert's father passed away. Matthew Schaller, a senior at Culver Community High School was named top student of the year and was awarded an oscillating saw.

John Thompson along with his wife, sister Julie and her husband are the owners of this years home. They were present at the luncheon and thanked the students for their hard work. John said "We are impressed with how you carry yourselves and your organization of the workspace. You all take a lot of pride in your work. Well done."

This program began in 1979 and the 2021-2022 home build is the 41st home that has been built by this program. Current instructor, Kyle Elliott has been teaching for 29 years and is a highly respected Building Trades Instructor. The waiting list to have a home built is currently dated out until 2051. The Building Trades Program includes students from Knox, North Judson and Culver Community. This program is a part of the North Central CTE Program that gives students real life, hands on skills in certain trades.