(Seguin) – Just like student-athletes have grit and confidence walking onto the Matador football field, another set of Seguin High School students are finding a similar level of confidence as they work toward their own fourth-quarter goals. But instead of helmets and shoulder pads, they walk in with safety glasses and a tool belt.
The Seguin Construction Booster Club is again laying out the blueprint for its latest project – a project that continues to dream big for its students in the CTE construction trades program.
During a recent ribbon cutting and showcase to the community, Booster Club President Carlos Moreno unveiled the details of building and selling a tiny home to help facilitate a self-sustaining funding model that will provide practical experience in a variety of construction trades.
“We had this vision of making a program that was self-sustainable and that’s where we are today. This initiative is Tiny Homes. Big Futures. And you can see right in front of me the students of this class,” said Moreno.
Moreno says donations are now being accepted to help fund this project. He says not only will the home be constructed by the students themselves, but local companies will help facilitate and oversee the students’ work on core areas such as a/c, plumbing and electrical.
“Our campaign is for $35,000 to raise funds for flooring, cabinets, interior walls, shiplap. We do have a set of plans. It’s going to be a 12×22 foot structure that is going to be able to be shipped out. The goal is to sell this, auction this – whatever we can to raise money and it’s going to be definitely to code,” said Moreno.
During the ribbon cutting, students were excited to raise the first wall of the tiny home. The home will be under the direction of Jason Rice, the SHS construction trades teacher.
Senior Efren Alvarez was among those sharing their accounts of participating in this program.
“I’ve never built a tiny house, so this is something new for me and for Mr. Rice. He’s been helping us, and we’ve been learning a lot,” said Alvarez.
Junior Jaydon Gomez says, like his classmates, this program has been incredible, and he is thankful for the experience.
“I thought we were going to do like birdhouses or something,” laughs Gomez. “This is awesome. I enjoy it a lot really. This is one of my favorite classes to come to. Mr. Rice makes it a comfortable environment. He helps us a lot and I just look forward to my future with construction.”
Tasked with explaining more of the mechanics of this project was Junior Davion Solis.
“Right now, we are using pressure treated 2x6s. It’s helping with our foundation so it can last long, and it will be a long time home without squeaking on the floors. Our tools – we are using nail guns, palm nailers — rafter ties, we’ve been using those for our joists to keep them together and hold it together,” said Solis.
Over the last year, the Seguin Construction Trades Booster Club was founded to help create more opportunities to offer support for all kids in the construction trades program. A growing roster of local companies has since jumped on board serving as the booster club’s board of directors and also extending their helpful hands.
The building of the tiny home became a reality after the high school construction program started helping to build walls for the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, which builds affordable and decent housing for hard-working families in the community. Building those walls for Habitat prompted the students to tackle this latest venture of building and selling their very own tiny home.
Rice says he continues to be amazed by the support that has been thrown toward the program. Most importantly, he says this lasting framework for success has been an incredible journey for his students.
“I’m just really excited for the kids. More than anything the hope is this is going to be a legacy project. I’ve told the seniors – occasionally, they go out and they buy a bench or a statue – this is an opportunity through the help of the public, all of the community and the businesses – we are able to sell this in the spring. (If) we build it right. (If) it looks right, people are going to pay for it. The legacy is that the next year’s senior class gets to build one and the class after that and the next. It’s not just money that is going away. It’s a future project that is going to keep going and keep giving to both the kids and the community,” said Rice.
Those wishing to donate are asked to visit the QR code on the Seguin Construction Trades Booster Club Facebook page or click HERE . Checks may also be mailed to 1225 E. College St., Seguin, Texas 78155. The club can also be contacted by emailing sctboosterclub@gmail.com.
