Published: June 13, 2008 03:26 pm      

Latta students get hands-on experience

Latta High School’s Housing class really got a hands-on experience in remodeling and designing. The 21 students in Kim Cupps’ Housing and Home Furnishings class tackled a two-room remodeling for a local church.

Crosspointe Church, formerly known as Evangelistic Temple, was excited when approached about the remodeling idea. "We basically held our first hour class at the church," Cupps said. "We did meet earlier (8:00-9:00 a.m.), in order to have a full hour of work. Yes, one hour a day is how we got our work done."

This project was set up like HGTV’s Designer’s Challenge. The class first met with Pastor Shawn Wiebers to discuss his expectations for each room. The students then worked together in groups to put together a design to present to the church panel.

They had a budget for each room. Presentations were made to the panel and a design was chosen for each room.

The church provided the necessary materials for the job and students provided the labor. However, they were not allowed to use dangerous machinery. That was Cupps’ husband Tony’s job.

The two rooms chosen were the banquet room and the women’s bathroom.

The remodeling included tearing out all the old carpet; taking down the baseboards; priming the walls; texturing the walls; painting walls, ceilings, cabinets, and bathroom stalls; and decorating each room (all of which the students did); replacing the sinks and toilets; laying laminate flooring in the banquet room and tiling the bathroom (this was done by Tony and a few men from the church).

This was a huge learning experience for the kids. Many of them have since expressed an interest in remodeling rooms in their own homes. “I feel it has given them a greater respect for those who do this kind of work for a living. I thank Crosspointe Church for this opportunity and my husband Tony,” Cupps said.