MONTICELLO — What started as a high school class project is now part of this year’s Holiday GLOW at Allerton Park and Retreat Center.
Decatur Eisenhower agriculture teacher Scott Davidson said when students began work on the three large letters — “F, F and A” to promote ag education — about a year ago, he was not sure where the finished product would end up.
At first, Davidson saw the wood and metal creation going on display at the Living Science Farm of the new Dwayne O. Andreas Ag Academy, which provides ag-centric curriculum for Decatur Eisenhower and MacArthur High Schools.
Then he thought of Allerton, the 1,500-acre park located just southwest of Monticello.
“I was going to put it at the academy but being that I come out here to Allerton with my family every year, I thought it would be fun to light it up,” Davidson said.
The effort has enabled students to get hands-on experience in woodworking and welding, in addition to seeing the finished work serve as part of the park’s Holiday GLOW.
“The real advantage to projects like this is it is applying what we’re learning. And this project, hopefully they’ll be able to bring their kids to see,” Davidson said.
Students and Davidson took several trips to the University of Illinois-owned public park to install the artwork, which also gave them problem-solving skills while on site.
High schooler Niamke Henz said it also gave him a leg up on his desired vocation.
“My favorite part was getting hands-on experience of welding because that’s what I want to go into.”
Makeylee Richardson agreed, adding it was “an awesome experience welding.”
The first ‘F’ is metal, while the second is all wood taken from discarded palettes.
“I enjoyed nailing all the boards and making it all one thing,” said student Amaurie Stanley.
The ‘A’ is currently welded rebar, but Davidson hopes to make it weaved willow branches in the future.
The student-led sculpture can be seen at Holiday GLOW presented by the U of I Community Credit Union through Jan. 13. After that, Davidson anticipates it will eventually be moved to the Ag Academy campus.
