Earlier this year Oregon Inlet Fishing Center approached CTE teacher Bo Barber about having his carpentry students build new benches for Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.

As part of the deal, the fishing center would provide all of the materials. The fishing center offered to pay Barber’s class for the benches, but he wanted the class to receive some kind of reward. He turned down the money and suggested it go towards an offshore fishing trip for the students instead. Barber chose his advanced CTE carpentry class to complete the task.

“The fishing center came to us with the idea so I gave it to my advanced CTE class as a final project,” Barber said. “The class like the idea of the fishing trip and I saw it as a good opportunity for community service for them.”

The class made 12 park benches for the fishing center. Through the process they learned and honed many skills.

“This project promoted teamwork,” Barber said. “Students also practiced manufacturing techniques, jigs and fixtures. This project was different since it was more mass produced than the single projects we do. We also ran like small business.”

The offshore fishing trip occurred Tuesday, May 17. Four of the six students and Barber met the Fight-n-Lady and Captain Sam Stokes early that morning. Senior Matthew Fenz stayed behind for track and senior Luciano Zottoli missed the boat after going to Wanchese instead of Oregon Inlet.

“Even though Matthew had a track event and Luciano went to the wrong fishing center that morning, the trip was still a lot of fun,” junior Stephen Wheless said.  “It was slow fishing but still better than school.”

While offshore, the boys caught over 80 pounds of mahi.

“The fishing trip was fun because I was able to spend more time with my buds,” junior David Weaver said.

After returning from the trip, students put the final touches on the benches. The benches can now be found at the fishing center between the boats and the parking area.

“The benches are being used so people can sit and watch the boats that pass through the inlet,” Weaver said.