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Alpine School District construction, interior design students unveil home build in American Fork

By Sarah Hunt - | May 12, 2023

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

American Fork senior Darcy Wilson cuts the ceremonial ribbon outside a house in American Fork built and designed by Alpine School District students. The celebration was held Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Students from six northern Utah County high schools spent the last school year putting their skills to the test. Now, their work is on display. Construction and interior design classes worked on building and decorating these homes through the Career and Technical Education program in the Alpine School District.

Every member of the project, including the construction students present for Thursday’s ribbon cutting on the home’s front porch, held a part of the project with them. For some, it was the opportunity to get out of the classroom and work with their hands, for others being able to one-up a classmate was always a win. Some, like Julien Ortiz of Lone Peak High School, will use the class as a foundation for the rest of their lives.

“I really liked learning how to put things together and work with other people,” Ortiz said. “I can tell it will be the key to my future.”

Students from across the district are invited to take the class from Lone Peak High School teachers Guy Burdett, construction, and Tricia Broadbent, interior design. The 28 participating students came from Lone Peak, American Fork, Skyridge, Lehi, Westlake and Cedar Valley high schools.

The program gives priority to seniors who are on track to graduate because students spend four class periods on site on the days they have the class.

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

Students and others stand outside a house in American Fork built and designed by Alpine School District students. The celebration was held Thursday, May 11, 2023.

“It amazes me every year that this actually happens. We take these young people that were learning how to use a tape measure, and we end up with a house,” Burdett said.

Burdett’s main goal for the project was that students did things right, maybe not the first time, but that they would keep coming back until they did. Students did not have to think about cutting corners to save money as the funds to purchase the lot and any materials come from the sale of the previous year’s homes.

“I just love that this class, it’s not a science class where you do the same thing every day, it’s not a math class where it’s repetition, but it’s more of just a community and family lifestyle where you can come and help and have a good time,” said Jackson Wright, a student from Lehi High School.

Appliances in the house for the display were provided by Hutch’s Home Furnishings, who allowed the students to pick out furniture on loan to decorate the home. Decor was loaned by Slope House Mercantile and styled by the students.

A core part of the curriculum focuses on using the six C’s – collaborating, communicating, critical thinking, content, creative innovation and confidence.

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

American Fork senior Craig Anderson, far left, and Lone Peak senior Julien Ortiz fist-bump each other during an open house and ribbon cutting for a house in American Fork built and designed by Alpine School District students. The celebration was held Thursday, May 11, 2023.

“I have a lot of students who are interested in going into design, whether it’s commercial design or hospitality design in my class. And I feel like they’re the cream of the crop. So we are just grateful for the support that we get from the parents, from all the schools and the district, and that this is able to happen,” Broadbent said.

Michelle Price, the CTE director, said the home will be listed for sale in the coming weeks and that the district is actively searching for a lot — and developer to partner with — to build next year’s home.

While Thursday’s event allowed the construction students and their families to tour the home, a similar celebration for the interior design students and their families is scheduled for Friday.

The north home is located at 748 South 290 West in American Fork. The south home is located at 1039 East 200 North in Orem and will be open for tours and a similar celebration on Thursday from 1-7 p.m.

Alpine School District construction students, along with friends and family, walk through a house in American Fork on Thursday, May 11, 2023. The house was built and designed by the students.

People attend an open house and ribbon cutting for a house in American Fork built and designed by Alpine School District students. The celebration was held Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Alpine School District construction students, along with friends and family, walk through a house in American Fork on Thursday, May 11, 2023. The house was built and designed by the students.

Tricia Broadbent, interior design teacher at Lone Peak High School, speaks at an open house and ribbon cutting for a house in American Fork built and designed by Alpine School District students. The celebration was held Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Guy Burdett, construction teacher at Lone Peak High School, speaks at an open house and ribbon cutting for a house in American Fork built and designed by Alpine School District students. The celebration was held Thursday, May 11, 2023.

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