Photo By Sgt. Carlene Vera | Soldiers from the 471st Engineer Company (EN Co), 448th Engineer Battalion (EN BN)...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAGUAS, Puerto Rico – Students from Manuela Toro High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico, will soon be able to utilize their new drama stage thanks to the efforts of Soldiers from the 471st Engineer Company (EN Company), 448th Engineer Battalion (EN BN) headquartered in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.
The project was geared toward renovating the high school’s theater drama stage that had last been renovated in 1997. Mayra Delgado, theater arts teacher at Manuela Toro H.S., was very excited that her classroom and stage were getting a much needed makeover after nearly 20 years.
“I am truly grateful,” said Delgado. “Without the help of these Reserve Soldiers, my dream of renovating my classroom and stage that my students use wouldn’t have been possible. The stage needed immediate attention.”
Delgado mentioned how her students are ready to get back into their classroom. “My students are going crazy, since they cannot get close to the area, they ask for me to bring them by and so I escort them to the door so they can see the progress. They are ready for the Soldiers to finish,” she said.
Sgt. William Reyes, noncommissioned officer in charge of the project, feels very proud to be a part of the Army Reserve and being able to help the community with projects like these. “As Soldiers, as well as human beings, we are very proud to serve our community and the students that are our future,” he said. “Some of the students see in us what they would like to do. Several students have approached us and asked questions about joining the U.S. Army Reserve as well as the Active Army.”
Reyes has welcomed the questions from the students and shared with them the many benefits available from joining the military to include health, education and an income. As a carpentry and masonry specialist, this type of project is right up his alley. In his civilian capacity, Reyes also work in carpentry.
“I feel very proud to be able to use my skills to help the community,” said Reyes. “Several of the soldiers that are here are not carpenters but I have been able to give them pointers on how to work with wood and enhance their skills. Our experiences here have been very beneficial and we are very proud, honored and happy to be here and build something that is worthwhile for the students.”
As part of the renovation, the Soldiers removed the old stage, threw out all the wood that was infested with termites, added new treated wood, and painted the stage, classroom and backstage. They fixed holes and other imperfections in the walls and are changing out the lights backstage. Additionally, they will add a fan to the back stage area to help cool off the students in the dressing rooms.
Delgado is planning toward having a small inauguration of her classroom and stage sometime in October or November.
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2015 15:40 |
| Story ID: | 177511 |
| Location: | PR |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Army Reserve Soldiers from Puerto Rico help rebuild drama stage, by LTC Ruth Castro, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT