Schoolkids redo nature sign
By JOHN PEPIN, Journal Munising BureauArticle Photos
Industrial technology teacher Joel Flint said the old pine, plywood and treated lumber sign — designating an area on school grounds where students study the wonders of nature — had endured the elements for more than two decades before rotting through on one end.
Then, last fall, 19 seventh-grade students took on the project of creating a replacement. The work would be a challenge, with most of the students involved in the project new to woodworking.
“I didn’t think the kids in our class had that much woodworking talent,” said Jake Webber, 13. “In the beginning there were some kids that were afraid of every single tool.”
The students would eventually work with jig saws and other tools, glue and paints to build the sign.
“They had to cut the letters out and sand them,” Flint said.
Work on the project was done in small groups.
“I made that whole border with my group,” said Samantha Twork, 13, pointing to the green border around the perimeter of the large wooden sign. “It was awesome.”
Webber worked in the group that created two raised and curled green leaves on the sign. While he has worked on his own to build a gun box and benches in the past, working with a group on a woods project for Webber was different.
“In a group of people you have other people’s opinions and by yourself you don’t,” Webber said. “I think it came out better than I thought it would.”
This past Friday, all of the students were happy to run out to the sign to pose for a photograph, demonstrating pride in their work and pride in their school.
Heading back inside to the school, Twork reflected precociously as she looked over her shoulder at the sign.
“It was fun,” she said. “Because it’s something to look back when you’re older and say we made this.”
