T
hree Independence
the laser engraver. Then they
Middle School
hand punched four holes in
students—eighth
the plates’ corners so they
grader Vincent Taormina
could be affixed under the
and seventh graders Ashton
windows as a permanent
Newell and Isaac Ussia—
reminder of the community’s
came to school early every
support of the project. After
day for about three months
they punched the holes, the
to work on a project to
students also sanded any
benefit the Bethel Park
rough materials off the plates.
Historical Society and the
But that was only the first
Schoolhouse Arts Center
phase of this project. Next,
on the corner of South Park
the students used the CNC
Road and Park Avenue.
router in the Library’s Steel
The Schoolhouse is now
City Collaboratory area to
(Left to right): Vincent Taormina, Isaac Ussia and Ashton Newell
home to various businesses,
make nine wooden plaques
but originally it was the first high school building in Bethel
to acknowledge the donors who gave $15,000 each for the
Park. The building fell into disrepair over the years, but recently
renovation of the Schoolhouse’s classrooms. Once the wooden
the Bethel Park Historical Society has undertaken a complete
plaques were engraved, they were covered with an acrylic paint.
renovation of the building to include many historical artifacts
The third phase of the project had the students creating outdoor
about the school district and the community. A recent
signage listing the Schoolhouse’s tenants.
fundraising campaign raised enough money to replace the 107
The three students were excited about working on this
windows in the building. The Society wanted to honor those
project and were anxious to visit the Schoolhouse once all
who donated the money for the windows, and that’s where the
three phases were completed to see their work. Vincent said he
IMS students came in to help.
looked forward to visiting the Schoolhouse because seeing the
Historical Society Secretary Bill Haberthur contacted IMS
completed project will help him to “know I did something great
Principal David Muench about the possibility of students making
for the community.”
the 107 name/dedication
All three students enjoy
plates that would be affixed
working with the tech ed
under all of the new windows,
equipment and would
and Mr. Muench immediately
perhaps like to do something
knew who to ask to do the
with their futures that
job. Vincent, Ashton and
would involve the use of this
Issac worked every morning
technology.
from 7:10 to 7:40 a.m., and
in about two month’s time,
engraved all 107 plates using
An example of one of the name plates the students completed.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BENEFITS FROM
IMS STUDENTS’ HANDIWORK