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TRYON–Tryon Elementary students and staff are enjoying a new gazebo on the school playground thanks to the efforts of Polk County High School’s Construction Technology students.

PCHS class members, under the direction of instructors Douglas Lanning and Eric Morlino, built the gazebo on campus as part of the Construction Technology program. Students in the program also have been busy building houses for Outreach.

“It’s a great opportunity to watch the kids progress through projects like these,” Lanning said. “It is a great way to introduce students to things that we take for granted in our society.

“Everyone has a talent and everyone is and can be a superstar if the talent is discovered. As a teacher, we need to explore as much as possible and help direct the students to the right mentors. Never stop learning and with a little love and kindness we all benefit.”

Once completed, the gazebo still needed to be moved to Tryon Elementary. Enter Drew Beiler and Dutch Boy Barns, who took care of transferring the gazebo to the Tryon Elementary playground.

“The students and staff at Tryon Elementary School are grateful to our Polk County High School Construction Technology students, and their teachers Mr. Morlino and Mr. Lanning, for building a gazebo for our playground,” said Tryon Elementary Principal Dr. Cari Maneen. “This gazebo will serve as a meeting place for students during recess, as well as a great environment for activities such as readers theatre, poetry reading, and even student performances.

“The gazebo is a meaningful addition to our school playground, and we are proud of our high schoolers for doing this service project for our students to enjoy.”