SOUTH EASTON — Superintendent Luis Lopes and Principal Leslie Weckesser are pleased to report that students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School have completed a new sign of the Brockton city seal that is hanging outside the office of Mayor Robert Sullivan.
The sign was designed and constructed by seniors Rebecca Russell, of Brockton, and Michael Holmes, of West Bridgewater, both carpentry students at SRVTHS. The project was overseen by carpentry teacher Jennifer McNally.
Mayor Sullivan presented each of the students with a citation of appreciation on Wednesday, Oct. 13 that commended them on their design skills and craftsmanship while making the plaque. Principal Weckesser and SRVTHS School Committee member Tony Branch were on hand for the presentation.
Superintendent Lopes first learned of the possible collaboration opportunity with the City of Brockton, and approached Principal Weckesser about students who might be a good fit for the project. Ultimately Russell and Holmes were chosen.
“Rebecca and Michael were thrilled to be involved in this process, and enjoyed the ability to give back to one of the communities that Southeastern Regional serves,” Principal Weckesser said. “Everyone was very pleased with the finished project.”
Russell and Holmes first designed the plaque using special software and used a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router to cut it to size. They then touched up the details by hand and sprayed a clear coat before affixing mounting hardware.
Applying their skills to a real-world project, which is called a “live job” by those at the school, is a common practice for SRVTHS students.
“I always love it when students get to apply the skills they acquire in their shops to these types of projects,” McNally said. “I think it builds confidence, competence and pride, and gives students an eye for quality and a real-world context for what they are learning,”
The plaque now hangs outside the Mayor’s office, which is located at Brockton City Hall on School Street.
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