Students in the Harrison Hills City School District’s Industrial Arts program are putting their skills to work on a meaningful community project. Under the direction of instructor Cain Noble, students recently designed and built new wooden welcome signs for the Village of Hopedale, replacing signage that stood for over 35 years.

When the original signs became too weathered and worn to be repaired, Hopedale village leaders turned to Harrison Central for help.

“Mr. Noble and his students are always willing to jump into community projects,” said Hopedale Mayor Mike Pelegreen. “We knew they would take this on with pride—and the results speak for themselves.”

Students Lane Gibbons, Emma Patterson, and Kayden Dunkle completed the signs from start to finish in the district’s industrial arts shop, using woodworking tools and design techniques to bring the project to life. Their work will also count toward their required senior service learning projects.

While the signs have not yet been installed, the students will be assisting the village this spring with the final installation, including adding landscaping elements such as stonework and potted flowers to beautify the area.

“These are the kinds of real-world projects that make our program special,” said instructor Cain Noble. “Our students not only learn technical skills, but they also gain experience in planning, collaboration, and community service.”

Harrison Hills is proud to offer students access to a wide range of tools and equipment that support career-ready skills, helping to prepare them for jobs in construction, design, and other skilled trades.

“This partnership benefits everyone involved,” said Hopedale Village Administrator Don Writesel. “It’s great to see students applying what they’ve learned in class to something that will make a lasting impression on the community.”