(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- An affordable house built by high school students has been dropped – gently – into an Evanston lot where it will soon be somebody’s new family home.
A group of onlookers gathered Monday along the sidewalk as the single-family home was lowered by crane onto a neighborhood lot just a couple of blocks from Evanston Township High School. This is the eighth home built by 10th-graders in the school’s Geometry in Construction program.
The new home is designated as affordable housing.
“It’s for a such a great cause, and I’m just so happy to be a part of this,” says Emma Thomas, one of the student builders, told WBBM Newsradio.
The students also benefit by learning practical application of mathematics that could help them find a career.
Another one of the students, Tony Mateos, said it's amazing to see the fruits of their labor.
"Just seeing all of this work, that everyone contributed to through all the classes, just come all together to ... help a family establish a home that's going to be here for many years," Mateos said.
Mateos and Thomas were among several students who participated in the class, for which the high school collaborated with the City of Evanston and Community Partners for Affordable Housing.
The program gives students practical experience while also helping to fulfill a need for affordable housing. Teacher Maryjoy Heineman said she couldn't be prouder of her students and called this class the best she's ever taught.
"It is such an honor to be working with students who want to be part of this program," Heineman said. "We're changing lives here, and I think when they see something like this, they really are seeing what a big deal it is to do what they did in the classroom and then, eventually, within the year hopefully, meet the family that will buy the home."
Proceeds of its sale will go toward building the next one.
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