Junior students involved in the building trades program of the Wawasee Area Career and Technical Cooperative include, in front from left, Nathan Katzer, Zachary Cockrill, Andrew Zartman, Michael Turner and Maclain Herr. In the back row are Kyle Smiley, Timothy Cramer, Nathan Horn, Bailey Hershberger, Leonard Kline and Dominik Sanderson. Not present for the photo were Jorge Castro and Andrew Nicolai.

Senior students involved in the building trades program of the Wawasee Area Career and Technical Cooperative include, in front from left, Derek Charles, Brandin McCulloch and Brandon Rocha. In the back row are Nathan Hare, Rodrigo Hernandez, Jamison Bolt, Dylan Steele and Terrance Farmer.

Students in the building trades program of Wawasee Area Career and Technical Cooperative were honored during the annual banquet Tuesday evening in the Wawasee High School cafeteria. Building trades is one of the several programs offered by the Wawasee Area Career and Technical Cooperative.

A house was built this year for Ken and Cheryl Manning on CR 300 East.

Longtime building trades instructor Ed Waltz recognized each of the students and gave brief remarks about each one, though two were unable to attend the banquet.

There are 21 juniors and seniors in building trades in the current academic year and Waltz noted that number is projected to increase to 26 next year. Depending on whether they are in their first or second year of the program, students were presented jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies or T-shirts.

Curt Hursey, president of the building trades advisory committee, noted some of the building trades programs in the surrounding area are struggling now, but the Wawasee program has remained strong due to the support of the advisory committee and school administration. He said students learn valuable skills they can use the rest of their lives even if they choose a career other than building.

At the end of the program, a short Power Point presentation showed photos inside and outside the project house.

Senior building trades students this year include Nathan Hare, Brandon Rocha, Dylan Steele, Jamison Bolt, Derek Charles, Terrance Farmer, Rodrigo Hernandez and Brandin McCulloch. Hernandez was named the Outstanding Senior.

Juniors are Jorge Castro, Timothy Cramer, Zachary Cockrill, Maclain Herr, Bailey Hershberger, Nathan Horn, Nathan Katzer, Leonard Kline, Andrew Nicolai, Dominik Sanderson, Kyle Smiley, Michael Turner and Andrew Zartman.

Prior to the recognition of the students, a meal was catered by Dan’s Pies with assistance from culinary arts students of Wawasee High School.

An open house will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 4. More details will be released later.