The buzz from students cutting wood and the smell of fresh sawdust emerges from the woodshop building every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The woodworking class is lead by Randy Hurley. At a small school, students know most of those around them. However, many students are unfamiliar with Hurley.

Hurley first taught the art of woodshop about ten years ago, beginning at Clovis Adult School as a night class. He then switched to teaching at People’s Church when the shop was set up. A group of men would meet with Hurley at his home in order to construct the things they would need at the church.

Hurley’s biggest goal this year, along with every year, is for everyone to go home each day with all of their limbs.

“My main goal this year is that everybody walks away with all their digits,” Hurley said. “No cut fingers. I want everyone to learn to use equipment, follow written and verbal directions, use common sense, and to enjoy what they?re doing. Whether they make a career out of it or not, it’s something they can use the rest of their lives.”

As the teacher of a class based on creating different objects, Hurley enjoys seeing kids make things no one else has previously in his class.

“I like to see students do something a little different,” said Hurley. “Maybe I?m getting bored with the same old cabinets and the same old bookshelves. Somebody?s building a birdhouse right now, which is pretty cool because you can add all these little artistic pieces to make it different. We made some crooked jewelry boxes last year, and that was fun. The year before we made a grandfather clock that was curved, so those are projects I like to see.”

Joshua Oakley, ’18, has returned to class for his third year. He enjoys the ability to express creativity through his work.

“I joined woodshop because it seemed like fun and I had been interested in building things for a while,” Oakley said. “It’s a great way to show your personality because you can create anything you want to. Mr. Hurley is an awesome teacher because he teaches by showing you how to it then has you do it yourself.”

Lindsey Baker-Pauls, ’15, has been interested in joining woodshop for a few years.

“I?ve always wanted to take it because I?m a really crafty person.” Baker-Pauls said. “I?m currently working on making a tea chest, and that?s coming along pretty well. It’s weird being the only girl in woodshop, but it’s fun to show that girls can build cool things too. Mr. Hurley is so nice, and he tells us a lot of stories.”

This year woodshop is available during zero and first period.

This author can be reached via Twitter: @katiejacobson44.

For more features, read the Oct. 6 article, Artist shares the gospel through paint, martial arts.

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