By Allen Hamrick
The CTE Summer Camp students have achieved the nearly impossible once again. Last year they constructed a ten and a half feet tall Elk River Big Foot using chainsaws, grinders and grit. Since then, he has been included as part of the WV Paranormal Trail and has enjoyed by many.
Unfortunately, someone in their infinite wisdom decided earlier this to amputate one of his arms to the shock of many. “Why in the world would someone do this?” was asked numerous times. Alas, this summer CTE camp students reconstructed the arm and made it even better. Now, not only does Big Foot have a new arm but a walking stick, as well, complete with a carved bear’s head at its top. The walking stick also has a wood spirit carved into it that the students have named Saxon L Breckinridge. The bear’s head, aptly named Scarface, was carved from the forearm left after the amputation.
The CTE students went one step further in their wood working journey by constructing one of the largest chairs in the state for Big Foot. Standing eleven feet tall and weighing nearly a ton, the giant chair is an ominous figure in a landscape setting near Big Foot on the Elk River Trail. The chair was a massive undertaking for the students due to its sheer weight and size. One of the reasons for the build was to teach the students design, joinery, the use of tools and the joy of hard work, according to the instructor.
Go big or go home was the motto, and soon, with the aid of secondary level after school students, Clay County could be home to the state’s largest working rocking chair. Once the skills are learned, there is no place to go but up for those that want to move forward in the field of woodwork. With the trees coming down at CCHS, some of the material may be used for tabletops and other projects. The students will be involved in the process of learning how to work with epoxy and design of furniture. All this would not be possible without the 21st Century after school programs and the continued effort to promote learning outside of the traditional classroom. Thanks to all those that were involved with the project.
