An integral part of Owatonna High School is the wide variety of classes offered to students. Students are given the opportunity to take exploratory classes in health sciences, engineering, manufacturing, business and more. Two classes offered under the engineering category are benefiting greatly from a donation of 30 hard hats from Mohs Contracting and Jones, Haugh & Smith Inc. 

The 30 hard hats donated from the two Owatonna-based companies will be used in the Construction Technology I and Construction Technology II classes at OHS. Construction Technology I is an introductory course that uses hands-on labs to teach students a basic understanding of the construction industry. It is a prerequisite for Construction Technology II. Construction Technology II teaches students the skills necessary to oversee a project from start to finish.

Owatonna High School is working closely with Habitat for Humanity to allow those enrolled in both Construction Technology I and II to work on-site in the community. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that either builds brand new homes or renovates damaged homes in communities around the United States. These homes are then sold at affordable mortgage rates to those in need. 

The end goal of the partnership between OHS and Habitat for Humanity is to provide students in construction classes the opportunity to go out into the community and build a house to be sold by Habitat for Humanity. The vision is for Construction I students to begin building the exterior structure of a house during the fall semester. This would allow spring semester Construction II students to finish the interior of the house. By the end of the school year, a completely finished house would be ready to be sold by Habitat for Humanity.

Construction I and II teacher Mr. Daniel Forcelle said, “[The donation] allows these kids to go out to the job site safely for a lot of generations.” The donated safety equipment makes the goal of building affordable homes in Owatonna possible for current and future students at OHS. Mr. Forcelle said, “It is something we really needed and they came through for us, so we are really grateful.” 

The donation of the hard hats from Mohs Contracting and Jones, Haugh & Smith Inc. has opened the doors for a future partnership between OHS and Habitat for Humanity. The hard hats will be put to use by countless students as they safely explore construction classes at OHS.