On Tuesday, May 24, the Montgomery County Students Construction Trades Foundation (CTF) will host a Cornerstone Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. to unveil the completion of the 40th Young American (YA) student-designed and student-built home. The home is located at 3715 Munsey Street in Silver Spring.

The Cornerstone Ceremony will showcase the hard work of the CTF students from Thomas Edison High School of Technology, and celebrate the partnerships between the Construction Trades Foundation, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and the local construction community. The celebration will recognize outstanding students and graduates of the program and the ceremony will include the placing of the Cornerstone, an open house, and light refreshments.

The YA 40 house was built following Energy Star specifications, on a lot backing up to the Matthew Henson State Park and trail. The house is approximately 3,000 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, family room with cathedral ceiling, gas fireplace, office, granite countertops, walk-in pantry, and a one-car garage. The walk-out basement is roughed-in for a full bath. The CTF will be working with a realtor to list the house after the Cornerstone Ceremony.

Within the construction program at Edison, seven construction specialty courses are offered, including architecture. The architecture students, with the support of local architectural firms, design and edit the blueprints for the house. Then, masonry, carpentry, construction electricity, plumbing, HVAC and Foundations of Building Technology students, under the supervision of master tradesmen, work to build the house.  Students learn how to read blueprints, practice construction skills, use tools of their trades, develop communication and mathematic skills, and collaborate with other trades in an authentic construction setting.

The CTF is a non-profit organization established cooperatively by the Montgomery County business community and MCPS. It provides a unique method of hands-on training for high school students to earn valuable construction skills and certifications that will prepare them for higher education opportunities or direct entry into the workforce. Please visit www.ctfcareers.org or foundationsfb.org for more information.