PORT ANGELES — Among the notable items Matt Lindquist, 17, made in wood shop were a checkerboard and a full-size fish net.
Sometimes it doesn’t matter what he’s making, but the fact that he’s making it.
“I can come in, put on earmuffs, go to work and not worry what’s going on around me,” he said.
The Port Angeles High School senior was busy Saturday building a cherry wood, tile-topped table as part of the SkillsUSA Olympic Region cabinet making contest.
SkillsUSA is a national organization serving high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled and service occupations.
To compete, students must first take an introductory class and not just pass but earn at least a B, said Tim Branham, cabinet-making class teacher.
“A lot of them do it for fun — it will be a hobby for the rest of their lives,” Branham said.
“It makes them happy, keeps them out of trouble.”
For some, like Lindquist, woodworking has become more than a hobby and a viable career path.
On Saturday, he was approached by a Westport Shipyard representative about a possible job.
“He gave me his card and told me to give him a call when I graduate,” Lindquist said.
“Actually, I’m really considering it.”
15 students compete
Fifteen students competed Saturday, all from Port Angeles, except for one student from Bremerton.
Of that, about four or five will go to the state finals in Tacoma in April, Branham said.
Five judges will evaluate the projects Sunday.
One of the judges, drafting and architecture teacher Marcus Logan, competed in the competition when he was a student at Port Angeles High School.
The class of 1997 graduate said at the time, he didn’t see his love of carpentry as a possible career path.
“It was fun,” Logan said.
