On Monday, many WHS students saw a large trunk sitting in front of the main office.

Senior Amber Duffy created the elaborate wooden trunk last year during Woods I class. For nearly two months she worked each day in and out of class, putting a great amount of time and effort into the project.

First, the strips of wood had to be pieced and glued together. Then, the trunk had to be smoothed over.

Finally, Duffy created a bottom border using freehand techniques and added the panel designs using a laser engraver.

Duffy said it was good to have teacher Mark Dunbar helping her with the complex project.

“I would have never been able to make the project without Mr. Dunbar,” Duffy said.

Although the trunk occupied an immense amount of Duffy’s time last year, she said she found the project to be worthwhile.

“It’s really cool to have a piece of furniture in my room that I made myself,” she said.

Duffy had the idea of taking woods class during her sophomore year when Dunbar brought up the idea during her photography class that he also taught. She was reluctant to sign up for the class, but did so after Dunbar urged her to each day during class.

Looking back, Duffy said she is extremely pleased that she decided to take the class.

“I was able to make a lot of different projects,” she said. “Each project reflected my own design, not that of someone else. It’s just really cool that I can say I made it on my own.”

This year Duffy is taking Woods II during second semester. She plans on making an entertainment center that she can take with her to college in the class.

Duffy said she encourages others, especially girls, to sign up for the class.

“Everyone should take shop,” she said. “Its really fun and you get the opportunity to work with several different types of machinery,” she said. “Traditionally, girls don’t participate in woods class, but it is well worth the experience.”