BUFFALO, N.Y. — These days, the older generation likes to say kids today are too distracted by cell phones or video games. However, a group of students at McKinley High proved otherwise.
"It feels like an accomplishment," says Robert Leistner, a senior at McKinley High School.
Better than playing video games?
"Oh yeah. I much rather do this stuff," Leistner said.
Students from Buffalo Public Schools decided to put down their electronics, pick up some old-fashioned tools, and learn a new skill that can take them far in life. Or at least to graduation. That trade is building two one-bedroom cabins that are now up for auction.
"You can make a lot of money from it, and for me, being a female in the trades, it's like a big thing," senior Dre'ahnna Devers told 2 On Your Side.
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This class allows students to jump right into the trade after graduation, but not every senior learning these skills will go into it. That can become critical because there's a need for more people in these types of industries.
"We understand they're going to change their mind, and we understand what's going to happen with the workforce, and the goal is to fill that workforce. I'm actually working on a plan right now with the carpenters union to do pre-apprenticeship programs to give our students direct entry," said Robert Harris, the BPS career and technical education director.
He continued, "I believe that programs like this change the students. I think it changes their outlook on life, as far as gaming and all of those things."
An outlook like learning to work with others. It will serve them no matter what career path they may choose.
2 On Your Side asked, did you learn anything else outside of this new skill?
'It definitely taught me to never give up, or if you don't know how to do something, you can still do it. You can never say 'can't,' right?" Dre'ahnna said.
Harris added: "I learned to pay attention, respect others, and put in a really good work ethic."
Rose said: "We get put down by the males, but that doesn't mean we can't achieve the same as they do. We could be rich. We could have our own corporations."
It's a part of a long-time tradition at McKinley. Students were able to gain experience in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades. Once the cabins are auctioned, the money will go to Construction Exchange.
They're an organization that funds the purchase of the supplies used to build the cabins, and the money will allow the group to buy more supplies to build more cabins. The cabins the students built are up for auction.
They'll be there until Monday at 7 pm.