WCA Students Win Four First-Place Awards in AWFS Fair Fresh Wood Competition

Students enrolled in school woodworking programs affiliated with the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America made a strong showing at the AWFS Fair in taking home four first-place and two second-place awards in the Fresh Wood Student Design Competition.

The student winners representing WCA EDUcation schools in the biennial competition included:

First Place, Seating – High School
“The Nest”
Mohammed Al-Yaseen, Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, NE
Yaseen’s design also won the People’s Choice Award.

First Place, Case Goods – High School
“Juke Box”
Dakota Kelley, Rolla Technical Institute – Rolla, MO
First Place, Design for Production – High School
“Lumbarest”
Josiah Miles, Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, NEFirst Place, 2021 Special Theme: Remote Woodworking – Post Secondary
“Nested Console Tables”
Jenny Hefferan, Madison College, Madison, WI

Second Place, Design for Production – High School
“Some Assembly Required”
Mohammed Al-Yaseen, Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, NE
Second Place, Seating – High School
“Adirondack Chair”
David Olson,  Saint Croix Central High School, Hammond, WI

First Place winners in each category and at each school level received a $1,000 prize. Second Place winners received $500 and Honorable Mention winners received $250. The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers, organizers of the fair, covered project shipping and the majority of the travel and hotel costs for the students and their teachers to attend the show.

The Fresh Wood 2021 judging panel included Harold Greene, Harold Greene Fine Furnishings; Alan Harp, Alan Harp Designs; and Taryn Schwartz, Ballard Design.

This year’s Fresh Wood competition attracted 102 entries from schools in the United States. Click here to see the full list of the winners.