Shown are first year Building Trades Students at Wawasee High School. In the front row from left are Trenten Wroblewski, Jaeden Bowers, Easton Rollins and Dylan Hively. In the back row are Ed Waltz, instructor, Addison Hatfield, Zaid Rolston, Dalton Young and Matthew Nyce. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE  — Culinary Arts Instructor Dan Bauer served his last school banquet Thursday night, May 8, for the Building Trades program. Bauer is retiring at the end of the school year.

Tina Schmucker, CTE director, welcomed those attending

Ed Waltz, building trades instructor, introduced the Building Trades advsiory board, Principal Geoff Walmer and School Board President Don Bokhart.

Waltz went on to explain what the advisory board does which is oversee the program’s finances and make recommendations to Waltz. An example he gave is members of the advisory board may recommend new products to him. “They’re there to help me,” he said.

He recognized all the ladies who work in the CTE office by presenting them with bouquets featuring three roses. The flower centerpieces on the tables were given to the student’s mothers.

Waltz moved on to recognizing the first year Building Trades students by thanking Big C which partners with the program. Each student was presented with a T-shirt and a small gift.

Waltz said he chose long-sleeved T-shirts. “These boys don’t know how to dress in the winter,” he joked. “I’ve never see so many chattering teeth. I was warm as toast.”

As the boys were called up to receive their shirts, Waltz said something positive about each one.

Maria Waltz, left, looks on as her husband Ed Waltz, directs his comments to the Wawasee Building Trades Class during its banquet Thursday night, May 8. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

Aidan Baugh is not afraid of heights. Waltz said he had no issues climbing up ladders that were 20-30 feet high.

Jaeden Bowers always asked for something to do. “He has made a big turn. He’s dug in, staying on task,” Waltz said.

Addison Hatfield, who also gave the invocation before the meal. “Is the kindest kid you want to meet,” Waltz said. “I liked that he went ahead and did things without me telling him what to do.”

Dylan Hively, “Everyone knows I’m going to razz Dylan,” Waltz said as the room burst into laughter. Hively was Waltz electrician on the house the Building Trades program is building. “He did a good job,” Waltz said noting Hively is also a music enthusiast.

Waltz said if he gave Matthew Nyce something to do he would go ahead and do it. Noting Nyce was one of the taller, more muscular boys in the program, Waltz said, “I like guys with a little muscle,” since they can carry heavier loads.

“Easton Rollins is not a morning person,” Waltz said. “He’s really gotten better with heights. He’s taken the bull by the horns a bit more.”

Of Zaid Rolston Waltz said, “Zaid is very quite.” Waltz praised Rolston for his cutting ability and for getting on the roof of the home the class is building.

Waltz said Trenten Wroblewski “ is a great delegator. He’s not afraid to do anything.”

Waltz said Dalton Young is “an analytical figure. This guys can think his way out of anything.”

Waltz praised the boys in the class. The class is building a home with the Fairfield Junior/Senior Building Trades Class on CR 37

Nakita Antonovich and Caleb Silliman place slices of pie out during the Building Trades Banquet at Wawasee High School. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

in Goshen. An open house will be held from 3-6:30 Friday, May 23.

In closing Chris Hursey, a member of the advisory committee, Encouraged parents to ask what their child did that day.

He also praised Waltz saying, “He came back and made a difference. The dedication Ed has … We’re honored to have him.”