ConVal sophomore Briar Bethel and seniors Sam Scheinblum and Elias Niemela were named as Woodworking Students of the Year at the ConVal Regional High School Awards Ceremony June 8.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) woodworking and manufacturing teacher Abraham Ewing said he selected these students based on their work ethic and collaboration. Ewing said the recipients are “no strangers to mistakes and broken boards” and have “cleaned, repaired and broken many of the machines in the shop.”
“Work ethic creates experiences that enable a student to bring home gifts that make their mothers weep,” he said.
Ewing added that what makes these three students special is there willingness to help their peers.
“They help the class, they show up to sell cutting boards, and when no one is looking, you will see them next to a student who needs a little pep talk or a little help on the sandpaper,” he said, going on to say that it is really the students like Scheinblum, Niemela and Bethel that make the program what it is.
This year, the ConVal program was named by the New England Association of Woodworking Teachers (NEAWT) as the Program of the Year for 2022. When pressed to identify the key elements that differentiate the program from others across New England, Ewing said he focuses on teaching kindness, cooperation and respect. Ewing invites anyone interested in learning more to visit the program, located at the deep end of the basement of ConVal’s West Wing. Once inside, visitors will be able to peer through the glass and watch the class at work.
“You would certainly see lots of sawdust. In the back of the shop, you would find students putting final touches on customized cutting boards, adding the juice grooves and family shields. Near the lathes, you would find students turning and shaping pens, duck, calls, elk calls and an occasional bowl. What you will see everywhere is a lot of students and right in the middle would be these three, helping everyone.”