At SMCA, we are committed to fostering our students’ growth academically, spiritually, and skillfully in whatever career path they choose. Each year, we gather input from our students on the classes they’d like to see offered. This year, one request stood out at the top of the list: a Woodshop class. In response, high school students in grades 10-12 were given the opportunity to enroll.

Mr. Donald Goshorn, passionate about teaching woodworking skills, eagerly embraced the opportunity to meet this need. With a heart for equipping students with practical trade skills, Mr. Goshorn aims to prepare them for both future careers and lifelong hobbies. As a proud parent of two SMCA alumni and grandparent to two current students, his investment in the school runs deep. To get the class started, Mr. Goshorn reached out to 84 Lumber for support. Generously, the company donated all the essential supplies, including t-shirts, safety glasses, aprons, hammers, nails, and tape measures for each student. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership—thank you, 84 Lumber, for investing in SMCA and in the next generation!

Why Students Chose Woodshop Class:

• “I want to learn general skills on how I could take care of my house in the future.” — Brady Dautenhahn, 11th grade
• “It seemed like an interesting class where I could learn skills for my future when I have to work with wood.” — Joshua (RJ) Parks, 10th grade
• “I enjoy working with my hands and wanted to learn more about woodworking and repairs.” — Elijah Gheen, 11th grade
• “I want to learn how to better my carpentry skills.” — Steven Young, 11th grade
• “I want to learn how to work outside and build things that will help me.” — Max Mason, 10th grade

What Students Are Learning in Woodshop Class:

• “I learned how to tape drywall and patch holes that I might need to fix in the future.” — Juliana Crawford, 11th grade
• “I’ve learned when to use nails versus screws and how to work with drywall.” — Keziah George, 11th grade
• “I learned that you need to use metal on the corners of walls.” — Saniah Dunn, 11th grade
• “I’ve learned how to properly sand wood without catching a splinter.” — Aaron McGlone, 11th grade

The students began by constructing their own tables, which they would use for future outdoor projects. They also received hands-on training in the safe use of hammers, drills, and tablesaws. An exciting aspect of the course was the opportunity to directly meet a need within the school: the middle school science department required tables for conducting experiments. The Woodshop class rose to the challenge and built two tables, delivering them to a grateful Mrs. Campbell, our Middle School Science Teacher.

Next, the students are working on building and painting birdhouses, continuing to develop their skills while contributing to the school community. We are grateful to 84 Lumber and Mr. Goshorn for providing our students with the chance to learn valuable, hands-on skills!

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ephesians 4:28

-Mrs. Crawford, Dean of Academic Affairs