TECHNOLOGY FAIR EXHIBITS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS' ABILITIES AT WEST PARK MALL

This saddle won the leatherworking classification. Jerrod Roberts of Van Buren made the saddle.

This one of the entries in the architectural drafting classification.

Students from 11 area high schools displayed their hard work at the 49th annual Southeast Missouri District Industrial Technology Awards Program held at West Park Mall on Wednesday and Thursday.

The fair was hosted by Jackson High School and an awards ceremony was held Thursday night at the school.

This is the first year the fair was showcased at the mall. Don Grossheider, organizer and JHS teacher, said he wanted the fair to show off the talent of area youngsters in a place that has high visibility.

The students entered projects they worked on all year in their industrial arts class in one of 11 different categories.

Entries ranged from furniture to architectural drafting to leatherworking and computer applications.

And the competition was tough this year. With more than 200 entries the 25 judges had plenty of factors to weigh in their decisions. For a list of winners in each classification see graphic.

Grossheider said the students who completed these projects will not be intimidated later in life.

The year-long projects begin with an idea, then the students are asked to draw the item because, "if you can't draw it, you can't build it," Grossheider said.

After they have plans in hand, they begin to build their projects.

Grandfather clocks, tables, a canoe, a saddle, blueprints, curved bows and computer programs were created as well as many other useful and interesting items.

Grossheider said the number one question that is always asked is "Are these for sale?" And the answer is no. The students take great pride in their creations and Grossheider said they wouldn't ever think of departing with their works.

The high schools that participated were Jackson, Van Buren, Ste. Genevieve, Clearwater, East Carter, Bismarck, Park Hills, Farmington, Potosi, Valley and South Iron.

Winners

Architectural Drafting

Architectural Drawing

Steve Fluegge - Ste. Genevieve

Architectural Presentation

*Jennifer Rau - Farmington

Best Computer House Plans

*Mike Bone - Potosi

Mechanical Drafting

Advanced CAD

Steve McCoy - Potosi

Advanced Mechanical Drawing

Ryan Gregg - Ste. Genevieve

Basic CAD

*Amanda Berger - Potosi

Basic Mechanical Drawing

*Casey Kelley - Park Hills

Technology Exploration

Material Combination

*Donnie Moffit - East Carter

Multiple Project

*Bliss Roberson - Van Buren

Graphic Arts

Screen Printing

Mira Juan - Farmington

Desktop Publishing

*Aaron Fadler - Farmington

Computer Application

*Joe Balleu - Farmington

Industrial Crafts

Art Metal

Tommy Adams - East Carter

Leather Working

*Jerrod Roberts - Van Buren

Plastics

*Chris Foster - East Carter

Metalwork

*Shawn Compton - East Carter

Power and Energy

*Lucas Eaton - Clearwater

Woodwork

Basic Woodworking

*Wade Rottler - Ste. Genevieve

Basic Furniture Construction

*Amanda Yost - Valley High School

Advanced Furniture Construction

*Justin Bennett - Park Hills

Wood Turning

*Charles White - East Carter

Open

Group Project

Weaks and Orrick - Valley High School

Misc.

*Joe Toney - Clearwater

Best Overall Entry

*Justin Bennett - Park Hills Grand Champion for oak grandfather clock -- instructor Larry Kankey

Ryan Sides -- State Runner-up with his gun cabinet entry -- Jackson High School

* denotes state qualifier