North Henderson High School is celebrating after taking top honors in the inaugural “Pawrade of Homes” at the WNC Build & Remodel Expo.
Students were recognized during a check presentation at the school on April 28, marking the official award of their first-place finish. The class received a $400 prize and a tile saw generously donated by iQ Power Tools.
Organized by the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM), the program featured doghouses designed and built by students from 10 high schools across Buncombe and Henderson counties. The structures were displayed during the Expo in March, where attendees and industry professionals had the opportunity to view the work and participate in a raffle supporting participating school programs.
The designs reflected a wide range of creativity, from a bright red, Snoopy-inspired doghouse complete with hand-painted characters to a home with orange trim and floral accents. Others leaned more traditional or modern, with Craftsman-style details, clean lines, and thoughtful finishes that mirrored full-scale residential design.
A panel of local building industry professionals awarded first place to North Henderson. Enka High School placed second, receiving $200, and T.C. Roberson High School took third place with a $100 award.
Organizers say the response from both attendees and judges exceeded expectations in the program’s first year.
“The level of craftsmanship and creativity on display was impressive,” said Jeff Ehrhardt, a BABRM member and home builder representative with Sherwin-Williams. “Through our Workforce Development Committee, we are focused on creating more opportunities like this where students can gain hands-on experience and start to see a future for themselves in the trades.”
At North Henderson, the winning project was a collaborative effort led by woodworking instructor George Mraz and his Woodworking II class.
Thirteen students participated in the build, working from initial design concepts through final construction. After reviewing specifications provided by BABRM, each student submitted a design idea. The class selected a final concept through a group vote, developed construction plans, and worked together to refine and build the structure.
Students were organized into teams responsible for different elements of the project, including framing, roofing, windows, and trim, allowing them to get experience in multiple aspects of the building process.
“The students enjoyed working on the project as it was a break from our regular curriculum, gave them a chance to work outside, and involved on-the-fly decision-making as we encountered various unexpected situations,” said Mraz. “Overall, it was a great experience.”
For BABRM, the “Pawrade of Homes” reflects a broader, ongoing effort to strengthen the pipeline of skilled labor across Western North Carolina.
“This is exactly the kind of hands-on exposure that can spark interest in a career path,” Ehrhardt said. “We want students, parents, and the community to better understand the opportunities available in the building trades, and this program is one of many ways we want to help make that connection.”
BABRM leaders plan to build on the success of the inaugural event, with discussions underway about expanding the program to more schools in future years.
The participating schools included Asheville High School, North Henderson High School, West Henderson High School, East Henderson High School, A.C. Reynolds High School, Charles D. Owen High School, Clyde A. Erwin High School, Enka High School, North Buncombe High School, and T.C. Roberson High School.
