They may not have started out the school year as swingers, but Cabinetmaking and Furniture Design II students of Travis Straub will undoubtedly end the semester just that way. 
This is the first year the students have tackled making porch swings.
Straub, GBHS woodworking teacher, said students come up with ideas for projects and they decide which one to tackle.
“In order for this type of production in woodworking, all the students need to have bought in on the project,” Straub said.
 “This class mass produces an item each year,” Straub said, explaining that each student does one specific part of the project and when they are completely assembled, each student receives one.
“They have to be able to work together as a team to end up with a quality product,” Straub said. “This is the third level of woodworking so the students have a good grasp on woodworking skills.
“To personalize their projects, they are able to laser engrave the back slats and use different stain colors. They also have to decide whether they have a porch to put the swing on. If the student does not have a place to hang it, then we will build an A-frame structure for it.
“The students are enjoying the project,” he said, noting that the class is making 11 of them and they should be completed by Christmas.
The swings are made from $70 worth of Cypress wood and contain 136 screws.