By: Local Conservation Corps Staff

Earlier this month, San Joaquin County YouthBuild hosted its First Annual Carpentry Challenge – a contest where YouthBuild programs throughout the state competed to see which team could build the best 8’ by 8’ shed; teams were judged in the following categories: safety, team work, worksite orderliness, and quality of construction.

Our YouthBuild program assembled a team of nine carpenters including Sal Terry, LCC Assistant General Manager, and Brian Nelson, construction trades instructor at Cesar Chavez Adult School. Jose Aguero, one of our YouthBuild participants, was thrilled to have the opportunity to leave the Fresno area for this competitive outing. Aguero, who has a prosthetic leg, has always been one of our more enthusiastic students, never limiting himself despite his handicap. He and his peers noticed at once that our YouthBuild’s standards rose above the competitors. Our team showed up in uniform and with full safety gear. The quality of their work gave evidence of a program that provides comprehensive preparation to its students in all phases of construction career development. Our students were respectful, followed instructions, worked safely and in an organized fashion, supported each other, and demonstrated a command of carpentry skills. The judges were most impressed by the way that our instructors allowed students to take charge of the project. While they guided and coached, the students capably moved forward, step-by-step. “The best part was the reaction of the judges and sponsors when we lifted the roof onto the shed to complete the project,” says Aguero. “They couldn’t believe it! We did it! We took first place!” He adds, “We grew close, like a family throughout the weekend.”

LCC is extremely proud of the accomplishments of the “Carpentry Team” but equally proud of the way that our members care for each other. When manager Sal Terry learned that Jose needed a refrigerator, he simply went out on his own and bought one for Jose and his family. YouthBuild Fresno and the Corps overall take great pride in its corpsmembers; there is a deep satisfaction in the progress corpsmembers make toward career development. Taking a state carpentry championship is just the “frosting on the cake” or should I say “roof on the shed!”