On a sunny Tuesday, Franklin High students Guillermo Leon and Nerely Lopez were hands-on, busily constructing the kitchen of a 160 square foot tiny house, all under the watchful eyes of project manager Estrella Romero and teacher Michael King.
The project is not just about building a house, it’s about creating a home filled with memories.
"The feeling of building someone's home is incredible," Leon shared.
The tiny house project was initiated by King, who, after securing funding from the school’s Career Technical Education (CTE) department, knew his students were ready to progress from crafting birdhouses to building a house. The project, received with enthusiasm by Principal Anna Lotti, started in late March following a delay due to winter storms.
Project manager Romero, despite initially feeling overwhelmed, has found the project exciting and empowering, especially as a participant in the Women in Construction program at Franklin. "There is a significant gender gap in construction, and the best way to get women involved is by representation,” Romero noted.
Despite the estimated cost of $30,000, King is optimistic that the house could fetch around $70,000. However, the real reward for the students is the experience of creating a secure home for someone.
"We're building this, and soon someone will call it home. That’s special," said Lopez, affirming the unique satisfaction of their endeavor. In essence, this project is a testament to these students' dedication, skills, and spirit of community. For the more, check it out on Stocktonia!