2025 Check Presentation from the Fourth ACE Shanty Raffle
🎉 The ACE Shanty Raffle was a success! On February 8th, the annual drawing took place at the Sturgeon Spectacular, marking the 5th anniversary of Fond du Lac High School's ACE Academy project.
🌟 Fond du Lac Festivals recognized ACE Academy students for constructing the high-quality shanty in a recent Facebook post featuring a group photo of student participants, business partners, sponsors, and supporters.
📸 Pictured from left to right (front row) is Vern Widmer, head instructor for the ACE Academy, eight students who helped build this year's shanty, C.J. Smith (C.D. Smith Construction) and Josh Shell (Badgerland Connections); Pictured from left to right (back row) is Ruby Guell & Pete Wilke (Fond du Lac Festivals), Aaron Thurwachter & Alex Baleiko (C.D. Smith) and Brad Teichmiller (Foot of the Lake).
BY THE NUMBERS:
» This year's project raised a total of $8,100.
» 75% ($6,075) goes directly to the ACE Academy Shanty Build Program.
» The remaining $2,025 goes to Foot of the Lake Fishing Club for their help administering and supporting the raffle.
🙏 Thank you to everyone involved in making this another successful year for the Fond du Lac High School Architecture Construction Engineering Academy (ACE) Shanty Build Project!
Date: Mar 13, 2025 | Author: Connie Coon
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2023 Check Presentation from the Fourth ACE Shanty Raffle
2021 Check Presentation from the First ACE Shanty Raffle
Last week the CDS Gives Back team had a momentous day as it presented the proceeds from the first ACE Shanty Raffle - $6,630 – to the Fond du Lac ACE Academy. The ACE Shanty program provided ACE Academy students the opportunity to view a project at the blueprint and virtual rendering level and work with expert craftsmen to build an iconic sturgeon shanty. Students expanded on the skills taught in the ACE Academy and gained confidence completing a full project. “I watched a student nervously use a chop saw for the first time early in the build and figured we were in way over our heads,” recalls C.J. Smith. “By the end of the project that same student was using a mag drill to drill ¾” holes through steel with ease. He was totally transformed.”
With the proceeds collected from the first Shanty Raffle, the CDS Gives Back team and the Fond du Lac ACE Academy plan to continue building shanties, using the money to buy supplies and specialty tools where necessary. Based on this year’s performance, we are excited about the prospects for the future!
Learn how THE Fond du Lac ACE Academy ACE SHANTy PROJECT WAS BORN.
After the 2019 sturgeon spearing season passed, a few C.D. Smith employees found themselves debating the best method for building an ice shanty and were struck by the similarities between an ice shanty and a conventional commercial building. This revelation morphed into the optimal opportunity to teach local high school students a variety of trades and construction skills construction and provide... (continue reading full blog post)...
Find out more about our K-12 School Partnerships for Construction and skilled Trade Career Pathways.
K-12 Academic and Career Planning (ACP) is part of the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) initiative of ensuring every child graduates with the tools necessary for making informed career decisions. C.D. Smith's School Partnership Program provides an inside peek and hands-on learning for K-12 students interested in careers in construction. We share in the DPI's vision of... (continue reading full blog post)...
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