Leesburg High construction academy marks halfway point on Habitat for Humanity house

LEESBURG — Students in the Leesburg High School Construction Academy showed off their progress on the Habitat for Humanity home construction project on Wednesday.

The academy and nonprofit organization marked the halfway point of the house by hosting a dry-in ceremony, marking the completion of the home’s outer shell and the beginning of interior work.

The home, located at 933 E. Main St. in Leesburg, is the third home built through their partnership which helps introduce students to a career in construction.

“This project is really two-fold,” Danielle Stroud of Habitat for Humanity. “We are able to provide affordable housing to a much-deserving family in the community and the students get hand-on experience in building a house from the ground up.”

In the news this week: Miss Leesburg brings home titles from Drum Majorettes of America competition

Around the house: Clogged dryer vents are extremely dangerous

More: New show on Leesburg High's construction academy premiering Sunday

Out of around 200 kids in the Leesburg construction program, a group of 12 to 15 students, are selected to work on this year-long project. The kids take part in every aspect of building a house, working alongside industry professionals and seeing first-hand what it takes to enter the workforce. This year's home is expected to be finished by the end of the school year in May.

“I feel like I wouldn’t be who I am today without this opportunity,” sophomore Breanna Ice said. “When I joined, I thought it would be just hammers and nails. But I’ve built a family and never thought would I ever be building a house. I love knowing I’m able to help people and that this house will be here long after we are gone.”

Ro-Mac Lumber & Supply is this year’s corporate sponsor and the City of Leesburg donated the land for the home.

“This is a beautiful day, and not because of the weather,” Don Magruder of Ro-Mac Lumber & Supply said. “This program has become a catalyst for growing other programs in Eustis and South Lake. Seeing this house and its progress and the lives it is changing makes us proud to be the sponsor.”

Mother and daughter Shenika Holiday and Destiny Jenkins were chosen as the recipients of this affordable housing home, who also were present to see the progress.

“It’s amazing,” Holiday said. “I was looking for a house for me and my daughter and I couldn’t afford going through a regular loan company. I came across the application for this Habitat for Humanity house. I was so surprised when they called me to let me know that we had been selected.”

Jenkins is a sophomore at Leesburg High School and is on the cheerleading squad. She said the thing she is looking forward to most is that her mom finally gets her dream home.

“It’s going to be nice to have personal space but it feels good to know my mom is getting her dream,” Jenkins said. “The house looks so good.”

Stroud ended the ceremony with some encouraging words for the students.

“Never forget that what you do here is impactful, not only for the community but for this family,” Stroud said. “Getting to this point is a huge success and we congratulate all of you for the hard work you have put in this far.”

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Leesburg High Construction Academy hosts dry-in ceremony for Habitat house