Sophomore Dakota Drumheller placed first in Cabinet Making at the April 5 Skills USA Virginia event in Roanoke.
Drumheller, who took Paul Chirico’s Carpentry I class last semester and is signed up for Carpentry II next year, said, “I’ve been doing furniture for four years now, but I’ve also been installing cabinets for small businesses for three years.”
“They gave me a set of plans and I had to make a cut list based on the measurements they gave me. I then had to make a cabinet. I started at 8 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m. In that time span, I had to figure out all the measurements, cut all the wood, do joints and stuff, and put it all together. It was a little challenging, but it also wasn’t the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” said Drumheller.
Williams Handcrafted has invited Drumheller to their shop in Richmond to shadow them and watch how things operate in their business. Drumheller said they haven’t picked out a date yet, but that he’s looking forward to getting their input on how they run a business and keep things efficient. He hopes to one day start a business in the woodworking industry, possibly in furniture making or cabinet making.
“I’m passionate about keeping good grades so that I have options for the future. I’m also passionate about keeping good relationships with those around me and being kind and respectful,” said Drumheller.
Carpentry is not his only passion. Drumheller began football six years ago, and despite only being in 10th grade, he’s become a varsity starter and outside linebacker (OLB).
“I enjoy football because of the physicality, being part of a brotherhood, and most of al,l football has taught me many life lessons,” he said.
“Dakota is a silent leader. He never says too much, but works hard every day to get better, and leads through actions and effort in drills and on the field,” said FCHS Football Coach Mitchell Pace.
As for his carpentry, Drumheller said he won’t be stopping the hobby anytime soon. “I like carpentry because it brings me peace, and being in a shop, starting with a piece of wood, and making something out of it is enjoyable to me. I also get to build different style pieces, everyone is different. That’s why I enjoy it the most,” he said.
