Kameron Rolston holds the plaque he received for being named the Wawasee Building Trades Builder of the Year, an honor bestowed upon a senior each year. He is also shown with the gifts he received — a circular saw, saw jaw, electric drill, impact drill and flashlight.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Logan Stuckman and Kameron Rolston received top honors at the 2022-23 Wawasee Building Trades banquet Tuesday evening.

For the first year, recognition was given to a first year student for accomplishments. Stuckman was recognized for his integrity, efforts and willingness to work. Aaron McKinley, instructor, presented him with a portable tool kit.

Rolston, a second year student, was named the 2022-23 Builder of the Year. In addition to receiving a plaque commemorating the award, he was also given a tool backpack, circular saw, saw jaw, electric drill, impact drill and flashlight.

The yearly banquet is held to recognize the students. This year there were 21 first year students and six second year students. The first year students included two students from Columbia City. Parents, grandparents and guardians attended to celebrate the achievements of their student.

McKinley thanked the students for sticking it out through the entire school year. This year’s home, located at 15328 CR 50, Syracuse, built for Mark and Rachel Moore, “started out rough,” McKinley stated, but the home is completed and an open house will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 23.

Vince Beasley, career and technical education director, noted the night was to celebrate the students and the hard work they have performed on the home.

Logan Stuckman, left, is shown holding the tool bag he was presented as an outstanding first year building trades student. Aaron McKinley, instructor, is shown on the right.

During the recognition portion of the program, each student was recognized by name and presented a T-shirt.

Curt Hursey, building trade advisory committee president, said “These are lifelong skills they learned in high school that will carry on through life.” He noted the program itself “is amazing.” As an owner of his own company, and a former building trades student, he is “proud of the program.” He stated he has two foremen working for him, one for 15 years, the other for 20 years, who went through the program. “If you see these kids, recognize them and the good job.”

Hursey also recognized Beasley, who will be leaving as CTE director at the end of the year. “He did a lot behind the scenes, greasing the wheels to make it work.”

First year students recognized were: Ruben Camargo, Caden Edgar, Braden Frye, Miguel Hernandez, Tanner Hosler, David Jackson, Aydence Kingrey, Parker Lenfestey, Xaiden McKinzie, Ryan Menzie, Junior Nunez, Clayton Ousley, Destiny Rocha, Christian Rodriguez, Jared Smith, Logan Stuckman, Hunter Tinkey, Joshua Trujillo, Eleazar Vazquez, Braxton Weinberg and Daniel Wilson.

Second year students recognized were: Thai Bailey, Collin Crabb, Andrew Garza, Conner Hawkins, Kameron Rolston and Esther Whirledge.

The advisory committee includes Beasley; Dr. Stephen Troyer, superintendent; Aaron McKinley, instructor; and members Hursey, Ben Ringler, Jeanetta Slabaugh and Brian Preshel. Don Bokhart and Steve Baut, school board members, were in attendance to recognize the students.

Members of the Pathways Culinary Arts Department prepared the dinner of salad, grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and cloverleaf dinner rolls. There were also nine different choices of pie available for dessert.

Shown are members of the 2022-23 Wawasee Building Trades students. In front from left are Eleazar Vazquez, David Jackson, Logan Stuckman, Christian Rodriguez, Caden Edgar, Hunter Tinkey, Aaron McKinley, Andrew Garza and Ruben Camargo.
Second row: Braxton Weinberg, Junior Nunez, Xaiden McKinzie, Tanner Hosler, Parker Lenfestey, Braden Fry, Aydence Kingrey, Clayton Ousley and Thai Bailey.
Back row: Kameron Rolston, Miguel Hernandez, Joshua Trujillo, Conner Hawkins, and Collin Crabb.
Not shown are Ryan Menzie, Destiny Rocha, Jared Smith, Daniel Wilson and Esther Whirledge.