Industrial Tech students win ribbons

Several students of the Industrial Technology Department at Rogers City High School recently received honors for projects. The students entered wood or metal projects in the MITES (Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society) regional project expo in Harbor Springs. This year 11 students showcased 15 projects at the fair, with five projects taking first place awards. Those earning first place honors included B.J. Schmuker, who won in the transportation category for his five horsepower cycle.

Randy Brege took first place with his tool cart, and earned fourth for a nightstand. Jason Church earned first for his metal machinist hammer, while Andy Nowak took first for his wood canoe sculpture. Mitch Felax took a first with his flame welding cart project. A second place ribbon went to Kyle Greene for his sheet metal propane blind heater. Brian Pike earned a third place ribbon for a sheet metal tool tray.

Fourth place ribbons were earned by Jon Konieczny for a sheet metal tool tray, and Jessie

Schalk for a lathe-turned maple bowl. Tyler Greenway took fifth place for a jar cover. Honorable mention ribbons were earned by Justin Kelley, for a walnut keepsake box; Konieczny for a lathe-turned ash bowl and a walnut keepsake box; and Pike for a walnut keepsake box. Teacher Merlin Little credited student assistant Scott Kromer for helping other students perfect their projects. Ten of the projects qualified for the state competition at Central Michigan University later this spring. The Industrial Technology Department at RCHS consists of four areas: woods, drafting, electricity, and metals, and one instructor.

The facility consists of eight rooms, including a wood shop, metal shop, drafting room, electricity lab/classroom, a classroom between the metal and wood shops, a lumber storage area, a finishing room, and an office. According to Little, the labs have an even mix of old and new equipment for the students to work with.