The Buzz

Woodworking is at the top of the class

By Marlene Bohr

This month I had the opportunity to visit the Hughes Springs Junior High woodworking class under the care of Roger Reece. I would like to thank them for their hospitality at the visit and when I occasioned to go back a couple of times for picture taking. 
My first knowledge of this class was at the monthly Senior Mustang luncheon held in the Hughes Springs School library that has grown to over 60 seniors at times and nearly overflows the room. Each year Mr. Reece would bring his students in to demonstrate what they have made in woodworking class. At that age, students are bound to be a little nervous, but each stepped up to tell a bit about the class.
Safety is a big issue to Mr. Reece and students taking that class soon find out there will be a lot of classroom learning on safety practices before they are allowed in the woodworking room. Mr. Reece’s room is fantastic with paintings on the wall. Since he also teaches history, I can only imagine the ‘trips’ in class those students take.
Back to the woodworking. As I talked with Mr. Reece, he then called on students to answer questions for me. Each one answered and talked with ease about the woodshop experience.
After the classroom, they let me visit the woodworking room which is very fascinating. I was shown the first things they are taught when in the woodworking class, and they showed me the saws they use in cutting out the wood patterns. 
When they visit the Senior Mustangs, they always bring gifts for us. They have drawings for wood work pieces and everyone is anxious to get their name called. One of the most popular gifts the seniors want to win is one of the pens they have made in woodshop. On my second visit, Mr. Reece and the students presented me with a pen they had made. I thought about sending Mr. Reece and the students a card, but I will thank them in this column for their help, grace, thoughtfulness, their sharing, and allowing me to spend a bit of time in their woodworking class.  Oh, yes, and I will treasure that pen always, just because I know where it was made and some of the students who make those pens.
There is a window on the corner of the hallway that shows you a view of the woodworking room and as they finish projects, they put some in the window so other students and teachers can pass by and see what they are working on. Some students admitted they looked in that window a long time before they were old enough to be in the class and hoped there was room available.
I love the chances I get to visit classrooms. I have a feeling, and have also heard it said many times, that Mr. Reece is a fantastic history teacher. His rapport with students is amazing and you can feel he has an ease of teaching that is just special.  Hughes Springs is fortunate to have a teacher that does such a wonderful job with molding the minds of young students.