PETALUMA, Calif. — Castle USA has named the class and individual winners of its 2025 “What’s Your Angle” student woodworking contest. 

The Class Entry Winner was a solid oak, raised-panel nightstand, which was entirely constructed using pocket joinery, submitted by Wyandotte High School, Kansas City, Kansas. The Individual winner was a modern farmhouse coffee table, which used pocket joinery throughout, submitted by Thomas Matthews, Cedar Ridge High School, Hillsborough, North Carolina. 

Matthews’ classmate, Ava Smith, won Honorable Mention for her full cherry nightstand.

Entries were evaluated based on the overall look and presentation of the project as well as the most effective and innovative use of screw pocket joinery. The use of Castle machinery or products was not required.

Winning prizes included a TSM-12 Pocket Cutting Machine for the Class Winner, shown above on the left, and the Castle 110 Pocket Cutter Professional Bundle for the best individual entry. Castle also awarded a Castle 110 pocket cutter to this year’s honorable mention winner in the individual category.

A complete photo array of winning projects can be found on the Castle USA website. 

“We are all incredibly impressed by the craftsmanship of this year’s entries,” says Mathias Forsman, Castle CEO. “Supporting excellence in student woodworking is an important part of our business here at Castle USA.”