Student Woodworkers of Two WCA Shools Take Top Prizes in Castle USA Contest

Reed-Custer High School students worked together on a custom ktichen that impressed judges in Castle USA’s What’s Your Angle student woodworking contest.

High School students of woodworking programs in Illinois and Nebraska took top honors in Castle USA’s 2022-23 “What’s Your Angle” student contest.

Students of Reed-Custer High School of Braidwood, Ill., won the Class Entry category for a custom kitchen cabinet build. DJ Shaw, a student at Lincoln East High School of Lincoln, Neb., won the Individual category for a Side Pocket Chair. Both winning schools are EDUcation members of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America.

DJ Shaw, a student at Lincoln East High School of Lincoln, Neb., won the Individual category for a Side Pocket Chair.

The Reed-Custer High School woodworking program won a TSM-12 Pocket Cutting Machine. DJ Shaw won a Castle 110 Pocket Cutter Professional Bundle.

The judging panel included Will Sampson, editorial director, Woodworking Network; Rob Johnstone, publisher, Woodworker’s Journal; Logan Wittmer, editor in chief, Popular Woodworking; Jim Heavey, master woodworker, Wood Magazine; Phil Johnson, master craftsman.

Contest entries were evaluated based on the overall look and presentation of the project as well as the most effective and innovative use of screw pocket joinery. The use of Castle machinery or products was not required.