Iredell-Stateville Career Academy and Technical School Principal Larry Rogers watched with pride as two months of hard work by Automotive Technology Center students came to life Tuesday morning.
The ATC students spent class time painting two light towers for Wayside and Trinity fire departments — towers that will also be available for use in any emergency throughout the county.
“This is what it’s all about,” Rogers said as he watched the ATC students and their instructor, Rusty Parker, putting the decals for the two fire departments, the N.C. Forestry Service and one recognizing the efforts of the ATC students and the school on the sides of the two towers.
A conversation with basic firefighting class instructor Gerald Clodfelter led Rackley to Parker, who gladly offered the services of ATC students, if the fire departments provided the supplies.
Rackley said that was an offer they couldn’t refuse, so in early April, the towers were delivered to the ATC students and the work began.
Parker said involving the students in the process not only helps them hone their skills in sanding and painting but it also teaches them about being a part of the community.
Rogers agreed this was a positive experience for everyone involved. “It’s about the school and the community working together,” he said. “Our kids get the experience and the fire departments get needed equipment.”
Rackley said that while the two towers will be housed, and primarily used by Wayside and Trinity, they are available, if needed, anywhere in the county.
“We’ve told Emergency Management that they are available anytime they are needed,” he said.
As they completed their work and headed off to their next classes, Rackley and Trinity’s Shannon Goodman shook hands with the students and thanked them for their efforts.
