Indian Lake Industrial Arts students have helped create a new historic focal point for the Kenton community.
ILHS Welding and Shop students recently completed a cannon project organized by ILHS Government teacher Mr. Ed Rogers and overseen by Shop/Welding teacher Mr. David Snapp.
Several seniors focused on the cannon project since the start of school including Harley Lhotak, Marvin McIntire, Bryce Mohler and Avery Pequignot. They recently completed the cannon after three months of work and loaded it up on Rogers' truck heading for its final destination.
Mr. Rogers says, "Indian Lake is lucky to have these real world programs such as Mr. Snapp's that allow community involvement and personal student growth. We need to bring hands on programs back like shop class across the state and allow young people to help their communities too. Indian Lake is lucky to have these programs. What other school has made a cannon?"
Rogers explained that the Armory Foundation and Quest Federal Credit Union split the cost of the cannon barrel and wooden wheels, estimated at nearly $7,000. He then enlisted the help of experienced Indian Lake High School Shop and Welding students to design the wooden carriage, fabricate the metal brackets, and assemble the 1841 Napoleon six-pounder cannon. (The M1841 6-pounder field gun was used by the US Army starting in 1841 from the Mexican-American War through the Civil War.)
The Armory Foundation and Quest joined forces on this project to commemorate John Jester and Frank Bondi--two Hardin County residents who worked selflessly during their lives to improve their community. The cannon will also be fired on Memorial Day and used to honor local veterans.
If you would like to see it in person, it will be placed outside of the Hardin County Armory in Kenton. A big "Thank You" was given to these kids from the Armory Foundation.