![Bass Clef Choir members Zion Ondoma, Henry Hansen, and Zerik Nicholson harmonize vocals while singing "Prayer of the Children". “[It’s] a piece dealing with the Bosnian conflicts of the ‘90s,” said Associate Director of Choral Activities Matthew Jensen, “but is applicable to what's happening today all over the world.” The students will perform the song during Large Group Contests in Cedar Falls in May.](https://riverhawkpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260414_111618-1200x554.jpg)
When a small community comes together to support each other, great things can happen. Local construction workers from NISS Excavation, Inc. joined forces with MCHS welding and construction students to prepare for building a storage building. Several companies are donating both their time, materials, and equipment to help in the effort. Today, the crew and students spent the day leveling, digging dirt, and preparing to lay concrete down. The addition will be located off the welding classroom.
“I think it would be good for Mr. Patras,” said Tristan Barber, a senior. “He’s got very little room to store stuff right now.”
The partnership provides students with bigger opportunities outside the classroom. Richard Patras, the welding teacher, says there are many advantages to having students and construction crews partner up.
“A problem they have is finding qualified employees,” says Patras, “So we have to introduce kids to this kind of work. Some kids have never seen this before. So if we give them the opportunity to get in a skid loader to do some work, maybe it’ll kind of interest them.”
Several companies are donating their services for the project. SEH engineering laid out the site. Other partners include Kuppinger Concrete, Elwood Concrete Construction, and Crowell Redimix.
Arianna Holocomb • Nov 14, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Round of applause for bbg Sum Sum
Kaylee • Nov 14, 2025 at 7:15 am
Mwahhhh