By BRETT R. BOGGS, EdS
Superintendent, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation

The Tippecanoe Valley High School Building Trades program, under the director of instructor Wes Backus, will host an open house from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the home built for Cody and Amanda Hudson at 11475 E. 200 N., Akron. The home is located one and one-half miles south of the high school on SR 19 and on quarter mile east of SR 19 on CR 200 N.

The Hudson home is a basic ranch style with about 1,800 square feet of living space on the main floor and a full basement. There are three bedrooms with the option of installing a fourth bedroom in the basement at a later date. There are two full baths upstairs and is equipped for a half bath in the basement. The home features a two-car garage, a little over 1,000 square feet, attached to the home on an angle. The home will be heated with a propane furnace and a wood boiler and is air conditioned.

The TVHS Building Trades students have met the established home construction time schedule and the home will be ready for the open house. They have worked together well to construct the Hudson home. The students completed the entire floor system, including walls and girders in the basement. Once the preliminary floor was established the students completed the framing of the entire house and the garage. They installed the full roof system, including trusses, rafters, roof decking, and shingles. Students installed all the doors and windows and have worked hard to complete the wiring, plumbing, and installation of drywall.

Students involved in the TVHS Building Trades program can earn up to 18 college credits by participating in Building Trades during their junior and senior years. College credits are offered at no cost through Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne. Students must maintain a C or better grade in the class to earn college credits.

The public is invited to attend the Open House and tour the beautiful home constructed by the Building Trades students of Tippecanoe Valley High School.