Students in Royal Palm Beach High School’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program recently gave of their time and talents by partnering with Weitz Academy of Construction students at Seminole Ridge High School to help build a Habitat for Humanity home in Jupiter.
While Seminole Ridge construction students completed the lion’s share of the work on the structure itself, the Wildcats were instrumental in installing the air conditioning unit and all of the ventilation.
Patrick Raney, HVAC program instructor, has worked on similar projects with Habitat for Humanity in the past and was especially impressed with his students’ efforts. “With a leg in a cast, I couldn’t get up in the attic for some of the important work. The students took over and performed as professionals. It was very inspiring,” Raney said.
Their efforts were recognized at the home’s dedication on Monday, March 30. New homeowner Carolyn Tirado was given the keys to the home. She is eager to share it with her two boys, Christopher, 13, and Phillip, 9. Tirado works at the Treatment Center of the Palm Beaches and is also a student at Palm Beach State College. She put more than 400 sweat equity hours and will pay a mortgage to Habitat for Humanity. “This will be a stable place for my boys,” she said. “It will be a safe haven where they will know that no matter what happens, this is their home.”
RPBHS student Jacob Polisema worked on the house and was glad to have been a part of it. “In a word, I feel ‘accomplished’ for having worked here. This will help me in my future professional goals as well,” he said.
ABOVE: HVAC students from Royal Palm Beach High School.
