SKILLSUSA chapter nearing Veterans of Foreign Wars finish line

Mark DeLap
Posted 4/13/21

A lot of teenagers enjoy sleeping in Saturday mornings,

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SKILLSUSA chapter nearing Veterans of Foreign Wars finish line

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GUERNSEY – A lot of teenagers enjoy sleeping in Saturday mornings, but for several of the Guernsey-Sunrise SkillsUSA chapter members, Saturday mornings mean going to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4471 building in town to finish a remodeling project.

The fun starts at 8 a.m. when anywhere from three to eight SkillsUSA members and an occasional Veteran or community member show up to eat, drink, laugh and most importantly, work. The morning ends at noon with a trip across the street to Ben’s Bar or Twisters Eatery where everybody enjoys some pizza or burgers for a job well done. 

The project was supposed to be a one semester activity in 2017 that allowed 7 students to learn skilled trades while building new bathrooms in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4471 building. Fast forward to 2021 and the Guernsey-Sunrise SkillsUSA Chapter is nearing the completion of an entire remodel to the upper level of the building, including a new front entrance. Well over 100 people from the school, community and Veterans of Foreign Wars have cut a board or ran a drill on the four-year project, making it a great opportunity to bring people together regardless of their age or experience. 

Although it looks impressive on paper, the remodel hasn’t come without some bumps along the way. 

“We were planning on a big grand opening last spring, but Covid put an end to us finishing the project,” said CTE teacher and SkillsUSA adviser Troy Reichert. “And then this fall there wasn’t a trades class to do the work, so I thought I’d give bribery a try and see if the kids would show up Saturday mornings if I promised them pop, doughnuts and pizza.” 

Roughly 20 SkillsUSA members have taken the bait on at least one of the 16 Saturday mornings that they’ve worked, with more than 300 hours being put in by the group. Freshman Kris White is leading the charge having only missed one Saturday, and several others have logged well over 30 hours each on the project. 

When asked why he shows up so often, White said “I know it’s helping the community, and I’ve learned how to use a lot of tools properly that I didn’t know how to use before.” Other students gave answers like “it’s fun” and “I like learning about construction,” and on this particular Saturday morning Air Force veteran Walt Fink was there to help and he chimed in saying that “it keeps me young.” 

Whatever their reasons for working, their efforts aren’t going unnoticed. The community is already appreciating the new look and taking advantage of the remodeled building by holding a variety of activities. With scaffolding, tools and materials in the background showing that work continues, the building has already been used for meetings, voting primaries and general election, funerals, dance classes, and so much more. Graduation and wedding receptions are already booked for the spring and summer ahead, while the projected completion date of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is still unknown due to so many variables. 

“This project has been one that the entire community of Guernsey can be proud of and enjoy.” Reichert said. So many people have chipped in and deserve to be recognized, so we want the Grand Reopening to be a huge event that gives proper credit to the students, community volunteers, Veterans, and financial donors that have made this possible. I don’t want to give a definite date for the ceremony just yet, but it will definitely be worth attending.”