Calhoun Gilmer Con-struction, a Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center Simulated Workplace, has been awarded $50,000 by the Governor’s Economic Initiative, in conjunction with W.Va. Dept. of Education.
According to school officials, the EPIC (Eco-nomic Projects Im-pacting Communities) competition “. . . magnifies the simulated workplace company’s collaborative and creative abilities into a showcase of technical skills through developing, designing and constructing an innovative community impact project for public, private, commercial, or residential use.”
Building Construction instructor Paul Parsons and his students submitted a proposal titled, “The Star Gazing Cabin” to the competition.
The proposal outlined a cabin to be located at Calhoun County Park that will feature a stargazing room with a retractable roof to allow those staying a clear view of the night sky.
The cabin will be equipped with a full func-tioning kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. There will also be a loft that will sleep four people. There will be three camper/RV connections at the cabin site.
The cabin will help meet the needs of the park, while also creating reve-nue for the community.
Five simulated work-place team finalists were chosen and traveled to Charleston to present their concepts to the State Board of Education and individuals from the EPIC committee.
After the presentations were complete, an an-nouncement was made that all five finalists were chosen to receive $50,000 each to fund their projects.
Other winners recog-nized from the dozens of entries submitted for the inaugural EPIC simulated workplace projects were Hundred High School, Moorefield High School, Putnam Career & Tech-nical Center, and Roane-Jackson Technical Center.
“We are so proud of the five schools’ Simulated Workplace companies for their hard work and dedication in developing innovative EPIC projects that enhance technical skills while impacting local communities,” said associate state superin-tendent Dr. Kathy D’Antoni, who attended the ceremony at the career center.
She continued, “We look forward to seeing the students’ work over the next two years as they partner with local businesses to turn their EPIC ideas into viable, successful projects that positively impact the economy of their com-munities.”
D’Antoni is with W.Va. Dept. of Education, Division of Technical, Adult and Institutional Education Services.
According to state officials, “The goal of the competition is to enhance students’ technical skills and creativity, while making an impact within their local community.”
Calhoun County is one of the top destinations in the country for astrono-mers to star gaze.
The innovative cabin will accommodate astro-nomers who visit the park for the “Dark Skies” experience, and provide additional lodging op-tions, serving as a rental for out-of-town visitors attending local festivals and other community functions.
Park Events
The following Upper West Fork Park events will be held on Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m., unless otherwise noted (doors open at 4:30 p.m., kitchen opens at 5 p.m.). Admission to sings is $4:
Jan. 5, Dixie Highway; Jan. 12, Rough Cut; Jan. 19, Neon Moon; Jan. 26, Bandeleros; Feb. 2, Dixie Highway; Feb. 9, Bandeleros; Feb. 16, Willie D. and No Regrets; Feb. 23, closed.
Courthouse Closed
Calhoun Courthouse will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 31-Jan. 1, in holiday observance.
