By Kendall S. Cable
Contributing writer
NEWPORT, OR. It all began with a used golf cart. Then
came a metal frame welded by City of Lincoln City Maintenance staff. Next, seven
students from Career Tech High School’s Woods and Metals Program created a plywood
foundation for strategically-placed PVC and chicken wire to rise. Finally, from
burlap, rice and thistle breached a whale of local distinction that migrated to
Portland’s Rose Parade Saturday.
The float, a promotion for Lincoln City’s Pixiefest
to take place June 24-25 at Chinook Winds Casino and Resort, was helmed by Pixie
Captain and Lincoln City Councilor Kip Ward, who intentionally grew a beard for
the event, according to Ed Dreistadt, Lincoln City Convention and Visitor
Bureau director. The whale, accompanying pixies, and Pixiefest are a nod to
Pixie Kitchen and Pixieland - former local establishments which catered to children.
“The Career Tech students saved the day,” stated
Dreistadt. “We located a used golf cart and the city maintenance staff
constructed the brackets for a wood platform to be attached to, but all the
rest was courtesy of the Career Tech crew. They designed the platform, the
whale, and the waves and then built it all.”
For the seven students (Corrie Martin, Jason
Miranda, Tyler Rini, Kendra Arns, Cameron Ogle, Levi Huppert, and Jordan
Serden), the project was an act of teamwork and patience – 40 hours of patience,
according to John Kiser, Career Tech Woods and Metals Program crew leader.
“There wasn’t a lot of arguing or head butting with
the design process,” Kiser said. “Everyone agreed on what we would do and got
right to it.”
The 14-foot-by-8-foot float was built during
Wednesday class time in Schooner Creek Designs’ woodshop. Students learned a
variety of skills and worked with tools such as sanders and jig saws.
“I think it was a good project for the kids to learn
how to use the power tools. It was good for them,” Kiser said. “Some of them
have not used a sander or jig saw before. It was good hands-on training with
those power tools.”
Just as important as tools and technique is
teamwork, according to one student. From city hall to the students to the
community, all made the project possible.
“The best part was working together as a group,
teamwork,” Miranda stated. “It
takes a lot of work to do the littlest things.
But if you do, you learn a lot.”
For more information regarding Pixiefest, go to pixiefest.com.
Pixiefest is a
collaborative effort led by Kiwanis Club of Lincoln City in partnership with
Theatre West, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Lincoln City Outlets and Farmers
Insurance.
Career Tech High School is chartered through
Community Services Consortium, the community action
agency helping people in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties. For more
information go to www.careertech.us or www.communityservices.us.
Photo by John Kiser
Career Tech High School students who worked on
Lincoln City’s float for Portland’s Rose Parade (Left to right): Cameron Ogle,
Corrie Martin, Levi Huppert, Jordan Serden, Kendra Arns, Tyler Rini, and Jason
Miranda.
Photo by Ed Dreistadt
Lincoln City Councilor Kip Ward steers the Pixiefest
float during Saturday’s Rose Parade in Portland.
