LAS VEGAS, NV — Twenty-seven college and high school students — many considering woodworking as a career — went home with Rikon tools and monetary prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000 for their entries in Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers’ (AWFS) Fresh Wood competition in Las Vegas. The biennial event, held as part of the AWFS Fair, attracted 165 entries from 49 different schools in the United States and Canada.

Tyler Duperron from Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, Brampton, ON, won the Best of Show Award, which includes a Rikon Mini Lathe, retailed at $329.99, a $1,000 prize and a wood sculpture designed by the late renowned wood artist Sam Maloof, for his An Apple a Day. Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, also received the $2,500 Larry Hilchie School Grant Award for Woodworking, Rikon 10-in. table saw and Rikon 34-in. radial floor drill press.

Fair attendees also voted, awarding the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by CustomMade.com, and $500 prize to Timothy Keating from Cedar Ridge High School, Chapel Hill, NC, for his Wandering Roses.

The judges, ranging from woodworkers to educators, retail and trade, reviewed entries based on the design, innovation and quality of presentation, the use of materials, methods and processes, the functionality and achievement of design intent and craftsmanship and quality.

First Place winners received a $1,000 prize, Second Place winners received $500 and Honorable Mention winners received $250; all winners also received a Certificate of Merit. AWFS also covered shipping and the majority of travel and hotel costs to bring the students and their teachers to the fair. Each category was judged separately per level.


High School Level First Place Winners

Casegoods
Blake Fullenwider, Dale Jackson Career Center, Lewisville, TX, Simply Complex

Production/Contract Work
Brady Reed, Quinter High School, Quinter, KS, Pondera

Tables
Andrew Prioli, Cedar Ridge High School, Chapel Hill, NC, Inverurie

Open
Tyler Duperron, Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, Brampton, ON, An Apple a Day

Class Project
John Barry & McKenzie Stevens, Halifax County High School, South Boston, VA, “The Chair” - A Vehicle for Collaborative Learning

Post-secondary Level First Place Winners

Casegoods
Andrew Wallace, College of the Redwoods, Mendocino, CA, Scotch Cabinet

Chairs
Allen Mahic, University of Idaho, Cinnamon Roll

Production/Contract Work
Rebekah Schaberg, University of Kentucky, Swell

Reproduction
Jason Davis, University of Rio Grande, The Persistence of Time #1 and #2

Tables
Christopher Atwood, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME, E Pluribus Unum

Open
Leah Kenttamaa-Squires, Purdue University, Sakura

 
High School Level Second Place Winners

Casegoods
Antelmo Beltran, Dale Jackson Career Center, Lewisville, TX, Crimson Avian

Tables
Saarinen Balagengatharadilak, Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, Brampton, ON, Art Furniture

 
Post-secondary Level Second Place Winners

Casegoods
Clay Roberts, Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, WI, Twins with a Secret

Reproduction
Daniel Graupmann, Palomar College, Corona, CA, Kurven

Tables
David Ringheim, Selkirk College, Procter, BC, The Empire Desk

 
High School Level Honorary Mention Winners

Reproduction
Levi Casey, Mustang High School, Mustang, OK, Liberty Cowboy

Tables
Yush Chandat, Ontario High School, Mansfield, OH, “Indira”

Open
Andrew Prioli, Cedar Ridge High School, Chapel Hill, NC, Ocean Planet
Hannah Stickelman, Ontario High School, Mansfield, OH, Cogsworth

 
Post-secondary Level Honorary Mention Winners

Casegoods
Carol Jackson, University of Oregon, Cantilever
Daniel Rickey, Rockingham Community College, Rockville, VA, Doug Fir

Chairs
Meirav Shitrit, Art Center College of Design, Ontario, CA, Flusso
Kenneth Tuell, Haywood Community College, Asheville, NC, Mackintosh Comfort
James Van Den Heuvel, Art Center College of Design, Ontario, CA, Andas

Production/contract work
Laura Davey, Bringham Young University, Floral Peek-A-Boo Tables

Open
Hongtao Zhou, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Decoration of Reclining

Tables
Jonathan Cox, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, Split Personality

 
The new Bravo to Teachers Award, sponsored by Rikon, was given to two schools this year as recognition for the hard work that the teachers devoted to their woodworking programs. Halifax County High School from South Boston, VA, and Instructor Clint Johnson will receive a Rikon 14-in. deluxe band saw, retailed at $849.99. Western Michigan Christian High School from Muskegon, MI, and Instructor Dick DeBoer will receive a Rikon 6-in. jointer, retailed at $449.99.