By Meghan B. Minton
Amanda Ham, the ACHBA
Vocational Student of the Month donning her new
pink hard hat presented by Gwynita Steele. Photo
by Meghan B. Minton |
Less than three years ago the members of the Ashe County
Home Builders Association could be counted on one hand and
were in jeopardy of losing their charter. That was all the
motivation the three needed to recruit four more members
to make a total of seven, then within a month’s time
seven turned into 90, according to coordinators.
“They are like the little engine that could,”
says Susie Thompson, a representative from the NCHBA in
Raleigh. “Once they got started going, there was no
stopping.”
During their last meeting on Thursday evening, April 12th
at Jefferson Station, there were 30 new members were present
to make the total 130 strong. “It has been amazing
to see what people can do when they put their mind to it,”
adds Thompson. The members are taking their “I think
I can attitude” way past membership and into the community.
The association has begun a new partnership with the Vocational
program at Ashe County High School. According to Kelley
St. Germain, executive director, they are now recognizing
a Vocational Student of the Month and will be awarding two
$1,000 scholarships in hopes to encourage students to excel
in the construction trades. He feels that most builders
in Ashe County are finding it a “challenge to find
enough qualified persons in the construction field,”
therefore, “we are trying to nurture the high school
program” because after all “they are our future
industry leaders.”
During the meeting, Amanda Ham, a junior at the high school
was recognized as the first ACHBA Student of the Month.
According to ACHBA Member Gwynita Steele, Ham was nominated
by her Vocational instructors for “excelling in three
Career-Technical Education classes, Introduction to Trade
and Industrial Education, Construction I, and Construction
II”. They “commended her on participation in class,
on live projects and her desire to learn more about the
construction trade.”
Along with a certificate presented by Steele, she was also
given a nail gun and bright pink hard hat from the North
Carolina Professional Women in Building. The NCPWB organization
“is an active group of professional women affiliated
with the North Carolina Home Builders Association and the
National Association of Home Builders,” according to
NCPWB website. They strive to address the “many challenges
facing women in the building industry” as well as providing
resources for professional women in respect to their career
and family.
Also recognized was Ron Zapcic, a representative from the
Raise A Roof Rebuild A Life Ministry. The members presented
him with a $1,000 donation towards their current project
here in Ashe County. This is a local non-profit organization
created to help changes peoples lives through providing
a log home for someone in need solely through donations
and volunteers. Thus far they have raised $58,000 towards
their first home in Ashe County.
The ACHBA meets the second Thursday every month at varied
locations. For more information, contact Kelley St. Germain
(336-620-2000) or visit www.AsheHomeBuilders.com. |
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