Crafting Memories Through the Fellowship in Creativity

Each year, Old Trail School’s Middle School Fellowship in Creativity offers select Grade 7 and Grade 8 students the opportunity to pursue a yearlong, independent study in an area of their choice.

Driven by their interests, these projects evolve into something far more meaningful than a standard classroom assignment. Students tap into personal passions, connect with mentors, and immerse themselves in hands-on experiences beyond the traditional academic environment.

This was certainly the case for Abby Vasu ’24, who set out to create an art piece made of recycled wood that represents Old Trail School. Her creation not only showcased her newly acquired woodworking skills but also celebrated the cherished memories she formed with her grandfather.

Abby’s interest in woodworking began a year ago when her grandfather invited her to a demonstration at Woodcraft, a local store offering community classes. Initially attending merely to observe and take notes, Abby’s curiosity quickly blossomed when she participated in a second class that day, using a lathe to make a wooden bowl. This ignited a newfound passion, and when the Fellowship in Creativity was announced shortly after, Abby immediately knew she wanted to explore woodworking further.

Her grandfather was thrilled to see her enthusiasm. His workshop, a haven of wellworn machines and tools, became their shared playground. They worked together on the design and picked out the woods that would be needed.

In all, the project would take Abby 45 hours to complete, not including an additional 30 hours of woodworking classes. Each piece was crafted separately using the resources in her grandfather’s workshop.

“I started with the background wood pieces, then I made the main background part of the school,” Abby said. “Next, I created the smaller details like the windows, the door, the clock and the roof, followed by the cloud, small trees and hot air balloons. After that, I glued all the pieces together and added a clear finish.”

Completing the project required Abby to learn how to use a scroll saw, wood lathe, sander and wood burner, all while making hourlong trips to her grandparents’ house. Despite the challenges, the process was as important to Abby as the final piece.

In the end, Abby’s Fellowship project was more than just an art piece. It was a tribute to her school, a testament to the power of creativity, and a reflection of a special bond between a granddaughter and her grandfather. Abby’s journey in woodworking has just begun, but the memories and skills she gained through this project will last a lifetime.

“It was difficult not to be scared of the machines and learn something new. I wasn’t good at it at first, but I didn’t give up. In the end, I had so much fun working on the project. I am also so grateful for the time my Fellowship has given me with my grandpa. We were able to hang out so much more, and I’m so thankful.”