On Jan. 13, the ABC Prep Academy in Fishers provided a construction training workshop to help local American Heritage Girls’ (AHG) troops obtain their Home Care and Repair Badge.
Bridget Trzybinski, a Patriot from Troop IN2324 who organized the Multi-Troop event for her Abigail Adams Level award project, said she was thrilled to partner with ABC Prep Academy in Fishers, Indiana.
“One of my fellow Patriots has a brother that graduated from ABC Prep Academy,” Trzybinski said. “He provided a lead and the partnership evolved. Many of our badges require us to interview professionals in their field to understand the material being taught firsthand. It was a natural fit to reach out to ABC Prep Academy as they have experienced electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and other professionals that pass on the skills of their trades to their students. Their enthusiasm to collaborate with us and open their facility for this Multi-Troop event to teach us life skills was encouraging.”
Girls from six Indiana Troops attended. It was a wonderful opportunity for Pioneer & Patriot Level girls (junior high and high school) to not only earn their Home Care & Repair badge but also to explore careers in the various trade industries.
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The day began with an overview of the construction trades and the ABC Prep Academy program, including aligned postsecondary adult ABC apprenticeship opportunities. Instructors provided a more specific overview of the carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing trades as well as hands-on demonstrations of common tasks within each. AHG girls, with the help of the instructors, then built a wooden toolbox using a miter saw, power drill, air nailer, and power sander.
Claire Trzybinski, who previously earned the badge, attended for fun and to support her sister’s project. Claire, a Stars & Stripes recipient (AHG’s highest achievement award), noted, “This is an important experience for young people to have. I enjoyed learning about the trades and seeing how they apply to daily life. Even if you think you have enough knowledge of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, or HVAC, there will be more skills to learn – provided that it is your goal to learn. I strongly recommend visiting ABC Prep Academy because of the valuable lessons they teach.”
“The mission of the ABC Prep Academy is to develop skilled and employable individuals and serve as an effective pipeline to aligned summer internships, employment, and ABC apprenticeship opportunities leading to careers in the essential construction trades,” said Robert Kneberg, Director of Outreach. “We appreciate the opportunity to expose more young people to the real potential for a career in the commercial construction trades.”
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The Fishers and Lebanon Prep Academies are open to public school, homeschool, charter school, and private school students. The Ft. Wayne Prep Academy is open to homeschool and private school students.
If you would like to learn more about enrolling your son or daughter in the ABC Prep Academy program at one of these locations, please reach out to Kneberg at robert@abcindianakentucky.org.
American Heritage Girls Troop IN2324 is located in Noblesville. AHG is a faith-based character development program for girls aged 5 to 18, dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.
If you would like to learn more about the American Heritage Girls, please visit AmericanHeritageGirls.org.
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