Door County Students Complete 9th Student-built Home

The Door County High School Home Construction Program celebrated the completion of its ninth student-built home with an Open House and Dedication Ceremony on Friday, June 1, that was attended by more than 250 people.

The 2,770-square-foot home, located at 344 N. 19th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay, was built during the school year by 11 Door County students under the supervision of Sturgeon Bay High School Technology teacher Seth Wilson and professional contractors.

The participating students – Sturgeon Bay’s Jaeger Brusky, Caleb Diller, Jason Claybaugh, Peter Anschutz, Erik Escalera and Elijah Heimbecher; Southern Door’s Caleb Buchberger and Jared Delwiche; Sevastopol’s Tyler Dvorak and Eli Zielke; and Gibraltar’s Ben Desotelle – worked 15 hours a week during the school year and completed the home in nine months.

In addition, 20 students from Sevastopol High School agriculture teacher Dale Carlson’s Landscape and Nursery Design Class helped with the landscaping at the home.

“The students should be very proud of this beautiful home that they built and all that they accomplished this school year,” said Korey Mallien, who coordinated the project in his position as Business & Education Partnership Manager for the Door County Economic Development Corporation. “They did an extraordinary job, and it’s an experience they will never forget.”

The home features four bedrooms, three full bathrooms and a three-stall garage overlooking the YMCA Peterson Park. It has an open-concept layout on the main floor with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living room and utility room. The lower level features a walk-out basement with a large rec room, a bathroom and a bedroom.

This project was a collaborative effort involving the nonprofit Door County Economic Development Corporation; Sturgeon Bay, Southern Door, Sevastopol and Gibraltar school districts; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College; the Door County Home Builders Association; Portside Builders of Sturgeon Bay; and Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders of Dyckesville and Egg Harbor.

“I want to thank and commend all of the professional contractors who worked with the students during this impactful work-based learning program. They showed great patience and provided excellent instruction in showing the students their trades,” said Mallien.

The Door County High School Home Construction Program, started in 2007, provides a real-world, hands-on experience for students who are interested in the construction trades. Students both observe and work alongside professional contractors – such as masons, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, carpenters, landscapers etc. – in building a home from the ground up. They also receive transcribed credit upon completion if they decide to enroll in the Construction Program at NWTC.

What’s so special about this project is not only what these students accomplished but the impact it’s had on past students who have been involved with the Door County High School Home Construction Program. Five graduates of this program actually helped work on this house in a professional capacity, including Nate Grosbeier of Buhr Construction, Lucas Rockendorf of Brad Tanck Plumbing, Bryson Paschke of Portside Builders, Michael Bohenski of Mike’s Watertite Seamless Gutters, and Steven Beno of JF Construction. And there are many other graduates of the program who have gone on to careers in the construction trades.

“Students learn a great deal from this program and in many cases have used it to gain well-paying construction jobs after graduating from high school,” said Mallien. “It’s having a great impact on the local community, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Dvorak, a Sevastopol senior, was recognized with the Miles Zastrow Achievement Award for his commitment to excellence. Brusky and Claybaugh, seniors from Sturgeon Bay who are planning to attend NWTC for construction, received scholarships from the Door County Home Builders Association.

The house is for sale, with proceeds used to support the Door County High School Home Construction Program and to purchase a lot for next year’s project. Any students interested in participating can contact Mallien at 920.559.1562.