Duck, Duck, Build

Carpentry student, Gaylon Turner, building one of the duck houses.

Vicksburg Warren Career and Technical Center students enrolled in the Carpentry and Construction program took part in a collaboration effort with the Eagle Ridge Conference Center & Resort. Their goal was to increase the natural beauty of Raymond Lake and its adjoining pond as they border both the Hinds Community College golf course and Eagle Ridge Conference Center &

Resort. After considering several ideas, a decision was made to collaborate with Mark Mitchell, secondary carpentry instructor at the Vicksburg Warren Campus. Mitchell coordinated with his students and tasked them with building several wooden duck houses as part of their in-class projects using materials provided to them by the college. Brock Hass, director of Eagle Ridge Confer- ence Center & Resort, said, “Having the duck houses would encourage migration of native duck species and increase the serenity and beauty of the lake.” Twelve of the duck houses have since been built and placed along the perimeter of Raymond Lake while another six reside at McKenzie Pond. With excellent craftsmanship, the duck houses have proved a valuable addition to the college.