Broadcast students build convention sculpture

Written by: Maria Sanchez

Coach Kilpatrick is in the News Room holding up a huge wooden platform. Five kids are surrounding him and listening intently to his instructions. He is telling them how to properly drill holes in the platform to provide the most support to the structure that will soon adorn it.

The platform will act as the base to his newest sculpture for the Florida Scholastic Press Association convention. The theme for this years competition is The Jungle, so Coach Kilpatrick and his team have decided to build a jungle explorer!

Coach Kilpatrick has entered this contest for the last seven years except for last year. In their first year of compettition they placed third and the last five years they have placed first.

“[It's good] so students can learn to build sets.” Kilpatrick said.

The art classes at our school do not include building sculptures. Coach Kilpatrick thinks students might enjoy sculpture, “[It] depends on the instructor. They should survey students to see if they have interest. It should be included in the art classes.”

” It would make sense in an art class. When you’re doing humans [sculptures] it teaches about anatomy. [It] would look good on college resumes.” said Senior Jessica Hodges.

‘I kinda think they should. A lot more guys would probably enjoy it.” Junior Michael Kelly said.

The jungle man is coming along well but the team is facing a few struggles along the way. While in the process of putting pants on him, Hodges broke a leg and detached it from the pelvis. Luckily Coach Kilpatrick said it was an easy fix.

The best part of building this sculpture varies upon who you ask. Hodges says that she is going to enjoy decorating the man and adding detail. Kelly says he is enjoying working with tools, since that is not normally allowed in school, and watching the project come together.

They are expecting to be done with the sculpture in March and can’t wait to display their hard work.

There are no definite plans for what they will build in the future becuase it all depends on the theme of the contest, but we can definately excpect another elaborate and spectacular peice of work from them.

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