Students in Woodworking classes are tasked with creating Clark County Green Schools Awards as a class project.
Washougal students are being commissioned to create trophies from recycled materials for the Clark County Green Schools award program. The trophies must be made of at least 75% recycled materials, and will be used late this spring to recognize school sustainability champions across the county. The work will be on display for community viewing at the Washougal Youth Arts Month Gallery at the Washougal Town Square on March 15-17 from 5-7pm and March 18 from 2-5pm.
“This is an exciting opportunity for advanced metal and fine art woodworking students to showcase their work, while supporting schools in Clark County who are champions in sustainability,” said Margaret Rice, Director of Career & Technical Education for the Washougal School District. “Any time that we can provide an opportunity for students to apply classroom learning to real life situations, that’s a win.”
This is the first year that Clark County Green Schools, a program of Clark County Public Health, has commissioned student artwork for the Green Team of the Year Award trophies. As a leader in Career & Technical Education, Washougal School District is pioneering this partnership to create opportunities for students to gain hands-on technical experiences while supporting a community-based, business supported project. Students have access to the entire suite of woodworking and metal crafting equipment available in the Career & Technical Education shops at Washougal High School for this project.
Clark County Green Schools and CTE Director present to Metal Crafts class.
“This year, we’re centering students in the trophy creation process,” said Samantha Springs LeCain, Clark County Green Schools Environmental Outreach Specialist. “In previous years, Clark County Green Schools has commissioned adult artists to create trophies for the Green Awards. Observing the woodworking and metal shops at Washougal High School inspired us to get students involved in creating the trophies with recycled materials.”
The Clark County Green Team of the Year Awards celebrate our community’s best student and staff leaders for school sustainability. In 2022, WHS Culinary Arts teacher Alex Yost was awarded the Green Apple of the Year Award for implementing a transition from single-use plastics to reusable plates and utensils in lunch areas, and for working with student leaders to install a compost sort table for food scraps, liquids, and recyclable materials in meal areas at Washougal High School.
Washougal School District knows, nurtures, and challenges all students to rise. Every March, Washougal School District and Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance highlight student art projects like this one with in-person and online galleries. Learn more about Youth Arts Month and Career & Technical Education at Washougal School District on the web.
