On March 28, Varsity Leaders and DECA went to Bay Shore to help build a house with Habitat for Humanity.  The students were assigned groups by the foreman, Chris.  Each group was assigned a specific task to complete.  One group had to dig a trench from the house to the street.  The trench had to be 36 inches deep and a foot and a half wide.  The trench was going to be used to connect electricity to the house.  Nora Ali, Brandon Le, Juan Reyes, Bobby Vath, Naomi Ruffalo, and Zach Ferrari participated in digging this trench which was completed.  Juan Reyes’ efforts were noticed by the foreman, and Juan was offered a job because the foreman saw Juan as a potential asset to their cause.  

Brooke Prestopino, Grace Scura, Merixell Jimenez, Jessica Clark, Brina Platz, Ally Stellino, and Haily Cassese were assigned many jobs such as checking and storing equipment and cleaning up debris around the house.

Samantha Varone, Marisa Miliotto, Kyle Johnson, Merixell Jimenez, and Jordyn VanDeinse had to use pole diggers to dig holes for a fence.  Bobby Vath, Ryan Murphy, and Jerry Genao were in this group and seemed to be some of the best pole diggers around with Ms. Patinella’s help.  Digging holes for the fence were quite difficult because trees were just taken down so the roots were in the “fence” holes and the ground was “spongey” that day because of the “melting snow.”  

Kyle Johnson, Jessica Clark, Samantha Varone, and others had to learn how to mix cement to pour into the fence post holes.

Another group of students had to dig out a 4-inch deep by 36 inches wide a hole in order to put a deck in.  However, after digging for a while, this project was thwarted because a cement slab was “stuck” in the area where we were digging.

Students assisted in all jobs, and they learned quite a few skills and different techniques for building a house.  Teamwork was key to making the house building a success.  Manual labor is tiring and difficult, but we all knew this house would soon be someone’s home so we took great pride in our work.  

Overall, this trip was a great experience and a successful day.  

-Submitted by Cindy Curran, NHS Business Teacher