SAN ANTONIO — What sounds like sanding, sawing and drilling is actually the sound of bright futures being built.
At Sam Houston High School, more than 40 students are getting hands-on experience in the building trades with a new pre-apprenticeship program.
Trades training is not new to San Antonio ISD, but a partnership with Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) is.
Students say they are loving the challenge of learning in both the classroom and an active workshop. Junior Makayla Soliz said being set free from a traditional classroom has been a lot of fun because she really enjoys the work.
"I do want to pursue construction but not just for money. I enjoy doing it. I want a job I enjoy doing so I can go to work and I won't be miserable," Soliz said.
Soliz likes planning projects and building so much she would like to pursue a job in the field.
"I'd like to get a scholarship if I can so it pays for some of my college," Soliz said.
"I chose this because it's a career that I wanted to do and wanted to learn a lot more about," senior Payton Greensweight added.
Greensweight said starting with small projects is a way to work up to bigger success.
"We've started to build a pergola. That was the most fun for me," Greensweight said, adding that also enjoys projects that help people.
"It's a really good career and there's good money to be made from it and you also get to help the community and build things that they need," Greensweight said.
While working on a bed-building project for the Sleep In Heavenly Peace project, Greensweight said benefitting others is important work.
"It makes me feel really great and happy that we're helping out kids who don't have beds to sleep on," Greensweight said.
Junior Damian Lopez said he likes the teamwork aspect of the program.
"I like it. It's fun and I prefer hands on learning."
"I like everything to be perfect," sophomore Naeem Lewis said while sanding bed boards into a silky-smooth finished product. "I don't like having something messed up. I've got to have my smooth edges!"
"I'm enjoying this!" Ximena Villarreal said. "I see my Dad do this more often, so I'm a natural at this and it's very fun actually."
SAISD Superintendent Dr. Jaime Aquino, who joined the students one recent morning, said "This is really an opportunity for them to apply their learning in the core subject area to also benefit the community."
Christina Mank-Allen is the district's career and technical education director.
"A lot of our students are coming from backgrounds in construction, so they just want to learn more about it and they want to be able to provide for their families," Mank-Allen said. "They want to make competitive wages and earn a great salary."
"The Sam Houston community is growing and providing lots of opportunities for students in construction. We're trying to help these kids get right out of high school and make those wages that will help support their families."
More information about the program can be found on the district website.