Kingwood Park offers a class to upper level architecture students called Construction Management. After being interviewed and accepted into the program, students in this class spend the entire year building a tiny home from the ground up. The class is entirely student led, with student captains and designers.
At the end of the year, with the help of the program Operation Finally Home, the tiny home is gifted to a homeless veteran at the unveiling ceremony. This year’s tiny home ceremony is set for May 7th at 5PM. People involved with the building process will make speeches and attendants will be able to walk through the finished tiny home.
“This year’s house has been very efficient, we just recently had very minor problems but for the most part it’s been stress free,” Mrs. Taylor said. “The crew itself has a very distinct set of students and athletes who get along [in their separate groups], but when they are working as a team, they all get along together.”
CHASE BENNETT
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“Mainly because of my brother. He was one of the captains from like, two years ago, I think he had the orange house. But also just like building stuff, like I grew up building Legos and all that, and it’s just fun to me.”
What were your expectations for this year?
“I knew we were gonna do good because of the indoor facility. We’re gonna be ahead. But at the venue, it was kind of a struggle, because we weren’t allowed to work outside and all that but right, it was looking out.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“Just the basic skills, like I was one of the plumbers this year. So I got to do all the piping under the house. And that’s just like, a basic need that people should learn how to do.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“Drew [Hennings] not just because he’s like the leader, but he doesn’t like complaining about it or asking questions. He just does whatever he’s told to do.”
What part of the Tiny Home are you most looking forward to?
“Presenting it because that’s always cool to see the person who’s actually getting the house and all the people who aren’t really a part of the program come and see the house.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“The struggle we had having to not build outside because of the heat.”
What special memory do you have from Tiny Home?
“Probably working on the roof, because I liked being all the way up there and just being able to see everything around me.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“The jigsaw because it makes the cut, but it might not be very clean. It gets the job done.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“I’m a country guy. So I like country music like, oh, Kenny Chesney or something like that.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Kane [Anderson]’s was pretty good. Yeah, he didn’t really have the country music that I was talking about. It was a good like, different kind of aux, you know?”
CARMEN RAMIREZ
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“I joined it because I was able to Mrs. Taylor’s architecture class and I thought it would be really fun. I joined Tiny Home because I knew that I want to do that for my career, you know, construction, and it’s already been in my family.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“I expected to be building outside. But I know we have a great team, so I’m not surprised that we’re working fast. My expectations for this year were definitely higher than last year. Just because I’m a senior now and more experienced, I knew I could lead better. I knew I was controlling what was going on and had to say a lot of things, I knew it would go well.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“It definitely helps me when I’m doing stuff, like random things around the house.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“I’m most looking forward to the memories we make after the house is done.”
Who do you look up to most in Tiny Home?
“I look up to the lead himself, Andrew [Hennings], but definitely Miss Taylor is up there as well. Without her none of this could happen.”
What has been the most difficult part of the construction process so far?
“Just for me, personally, is making sure I’m involved in what everyone’s doing and as the lead, knowing what everyone in the whole class is working on. They all come to me with questions.”
What special memory do you have from Tiny Home?
“Last year when we were outside, we finished all the framing of the exterior walls and put them up. Then we realized we had to build interior walls and we didn’t build them inside. So probably having the entire team lift up a full interior wall and raise it over the all exterior walls. And I also fell off a ladder.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you what would it be?
“Definitely an impact screwdriver because it gets a lot of work done in a short amount of time”
What kind of music do you like to listen to while building?
“I’ll listen to pretty much anything. I don’t really pay attention to the songs that much. I can listen to anything. Country music obviously goes well, you know we’re building a house. Yeah, but the occasional ones like Bruno Mars and Maroon Five are pretty good.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“My favorite person on aux would have to go with Andrew [Henning]’s aux. Andrew has a mixture between everything. I can get down to pretty much all the songs I want.”
CHRIS ECHOLS
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“Because I love the program and I thought it was for a good cause. “
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“I mean, I thought it was going to go good. I’ve learned that we are definitely more efficient this year. We’re doing good and we have a new building.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“I mean, heck, if I ever need to build something, it will only take a few minutes, then I will be done.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“Finishing.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“Mrs. Taylor because she’s the teacher. She started all of this. It’s amazing, it’s cool.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“Sometimes my speed, I work slow. Sometimes the people. Sometimes the task at hand.”
What special memories do you have from Tiny Home?
“Just moving the building, seeing how that works and going out to Liberty and seeing all the houses.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“The job box.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“I mean we only listen to country music, so country.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Probably Drew [Hennings].”
PEYTON SEAY
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“I joined Tiny Home for the experience and the life skills that we take from this class and can apply to real life.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“I expected it to be a lot more serious than it actually is. It’s like a job, but we have fun on the site at the same time. We joke around and have fun but we still do get our work done. It’s a good balance.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“You take a lot of real world skills like time management and just generally being handy with stuff around the house.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“I’m most looking forward to when all the ship lap goes up and the interior gets painted, so that we will be able to see the finished product.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“Mrs. Taylor. She’s great, a good role model. I’ve learned a lot of good things. I hope to take it with me for the rest of my life.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“There hasn’t really been a difficult part. It’s been challenging, but everything is about the same difficulty. If I had to pick one, I’d say the roof because it took a lot to get it squared and cut right.”
What special memory do you have from Tiny Home?
“When we first got started and we were outside, Me and Wag [Brandon Waggoner] spent a lot of time on the foundation and seated right before we moved into here.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“A palm nailer, it’s quick, straight to the point, and gets the job done.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“I’m a country fan.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Me.”
HECTOR LIRA
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“I’ve always had an interest in architecture and building design ever since I was young, especially because I used to play a lot of games like Minecraft. I’ve always loved making buildings and stuff.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“At the start of the year, I knew it was going to be difficult but it was going to be fun. I was going to meet some new people and learn some new skills.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“I’m really excited to see how it’s going to come out in the end.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“Mrs. Taylor because I like her leadership and the way she pushes us forward to be better.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“The most difficult part is whenever we learn something new. I like learning new things, but it takes me a little bit of time to learn things. “
What special memory do you have from Tiny Home?
“The transition we made from going outdoors into the new garage, and having to bring out the whole house.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“I would say a jigsaw because it takes a second to get situated but once it is, it goes really fast.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“Hispanic music.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Myself.”
HOGAN ANDERSON
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“Because I wanted to be the lead architect and I will be next year.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“Lowkey thought it was going to be miserable because we were gonna be outside, and then I got there and I realized that being with your team and everybody makes you look past the discomfort of sweating and stuff. It’s really fun! I’m not saying I don’t like to work hard, I just don’t like Texas heat.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“I feel like just being in Tiny Home gives you a lot of discipline and hard work. Being able to apply that mindset to other classes helps me to achieve my academic goals.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“Flooring.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“I look up to Mrs. Taylor because I feel like she’s such a great teacher, and she knows what she’s doing. She’s got her life all figured out. I feel like if anybody has that figured out they’re someone you can look up to.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“Being outside”
What special memory do you have from your Tiny Home?
“Every days a special memory when you’re in Tiny Home.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“A level because I feel like I’m a pretty laid back person and a level really embodies that.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“Not country music everyday. I love country music, don’t get me wrong, but everyday? C’mon man, my ears are begging for mercy. I need some Bruno Mars or something, but y’know at the end of the day, it is what it is.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“My favorite person that has been on aux so far is Nolan Krueger. We had a Bruno Mars day, and I was jamming out. Really motivated everyone’s spirits. We haven’t had any of those days since.”
MICHEAL SANITAGO
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“I saw one of my friends, Marshall, there and he said the class was really fun. You get to build stuff and a bunch of engineering stuff and I was interested in it because my dad does it as a job.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“It’s kind of what I thought it would be. I mean Mrs. Taylor has certain rules and expectations that we have to follow because this is an actual house that we’re building for someone, so we have to make it good. It can’t just break down while someone’s living it in, so we gotta have strict rules. “
How does your experience in a Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“Well, I mean, there’s a bunch of stuff that I didn’t even know how to do before I even joined this class. And like, just every single day, you literally learn something new, learn a new word. Those skills can help you out in the future whenever you have problems.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“I look up to Drew and Nolan. And when Marshall is here, Marshall. Those three people are really big in Tiny Home. It’s like their main focus. They’re always here early, and they’re always building. They just know what to do. I just listen to them and whenever they tell me to do something, I do it. “
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“I mean, there’s not really hard parts. I guess the hard part is when you are part of the construction and you have no idea what you’re doing. That’s the hardest part– when you get stuck on something. Other than that, I mean, it’s smooth sailing. Everyone’s there to help and then they don’t really judge you. So all you gotta do is ask and someone’s going to come help you.”
What special memories do you have from your Tiny Home?
“My special memory is when we were outside and we used to be on the roof and throw rocks into the trash. We’d always do it whenever Mrs. Taylor was working. So we’d go up there and just try to make it into the dumpster.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“No one in my Tiny Home really listens to it except Hector, but I like listening to my Spanish music, but I don’t mind country music and rap music. I’m here every single day, so you start catching on to all the songs whenever they play them.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Drew or Nolan have good aux.”
KANE ANDERSON
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“I joined it because it would look good on college applications.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“To learn handiness skills.”
How does your experience in a Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“I have a job, so it helps with my work ethic. It keeps me going.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
I’m most looking forward to decorating the interior.
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
The person I look up to is Hogan because he’s going to be our leader next year and I like how me and Hogan are on the wavelength.
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
The most difficult part would probably be when you think you’re done, and you’re not.
What special memories do you have from Tiny Home?
“Meeting Maddie [Glenn].”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“Probably the light. Everyone uses and needs the light.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“Not country. I like when I got the aux that one day.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Probably Nolan or Mrs. Taylor.”
LUCAS EARLY
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“Because I wanted to get some good life skills that a lot of other people don’t have.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“Some expectations were to learn how to do plumbing, shiplap work, and roofing.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“To see it all finished, see what it looks like done. That’s going to be cool to see the fruits of our labor.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“Probably the cleaning up part.”
What special memories do you have from Tiny Home?
“Cutting my finger.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“Probably the nail because it’s dull at some points but sharp at the end.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“I like Spanish music, but if I could choose: Kodak Black.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Mike.”
MAJOR DALBY
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“I just really liked the class. My sister did it, and Mrs. Taylor’s cool.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“I just expected to build a house.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“It helps me have a better understanding of how things are built. I just have more skills now.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“Giving it away to the veteran. I feel that’s very nice and they need it. It’s going to be very rewarding as well.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“I probably look up to Chase Bennett, he’s just always doing the right things. He is just so good at whatever he does.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“Putting the soffit up without breaking it.”
What special memory do you have from Tiny Home?
“Me and Chase putting up the bathroom. It was difficult but we just got through it.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“The hammer.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“I like to listen to the country music that they play. Usually it’s pretty good, sometimes it’s not.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“I guess Nolan.”
BRANDON WAGGONER
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“Because I wanted to be a part of something really big. Not for myself, but for the greater value of building a house for a veteran.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“I was pretty nervous because I’m not the best builder and architect. Throughout the fall, it got better because I knew the people and it just made it easier.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“It taught me how to come back from a mess-up.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“I was really looking forward to putting up the walls, but right now? Definitely putting up the fans and the lights, that will be really cool to see.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“Drew because he’s always locked in. He’s a really smart guy and he knows what he’s talking about. He’s always ready to work.”
What special memory do you have from Tiny Home?
“Building our first walls. Just a couple of guys. After nailing them in, we lifted it up. We were like, ‘Heck yeah, we just built a wall.’”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“Probably just the skill saw. I used it a lot plus it looks and sounds cool.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“Country, 100%.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“I guess [Peyton] Seay if he’s the country guy.”
BRAEDEN GIFFERHORN
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“My coach, Coach Dick, put me in the class when I transferred.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“We’re building a house, make it look good. Make it something we would all wanna live in.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“During the freeze, my house in Galveston, a bunch of stuff broke. I knew how to use all the tools.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“I wanna see them put the house in Liberty.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“Peyton because he’s my dawg. I’ve known that boy forever.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“Seeing two people cut their fingers.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“Nail gun because I do a lot of work.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“Country music.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Peyton.”
NOLAN KRUEGER
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“I joined Tiny Home because I knew I wanted to do it for my career. You know, construction? It’s already been in my family.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“My expectations this year were definitely higher than last year. Just because I’m a senior now and I have more experience so I knew I could lead better. I knew if I was controlling what was going on and had a say in things then I knew it would go well.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“Knowing the things we do here helps in a lot of things around the house. Especially because I just redid my fence.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“I’m most looking forward to the memories we make when the house is done.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“I most look up to the lead himself, Andrew, but definitely Mrs. Taylor is up there as well. Without her, none of this could have happened.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“The most difficult part was knowing how it works building outside and now learning how to build inside. It’s like a whole new thing.”
What special memories do you have from Tiny Home?
“Probably last year when we were outside, we put up all the exterior walls and set them and then we realized we had to build interior walls and we didn’t build them outside. So probably the whole team having to lift up a wall and raise it over the exterior walls to put it inside.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“A clamp because I’m reliable, I’m always there, and I can hold it down.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“I don’t listen to music too much. When I’m walking to go get something, if I know the song I’ll sing along. I can listen to anything. Country music obviously goes well when building a house, but the occasional Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, it’s pretty good.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“I like Andrew [Hennings]’s aux. Andrew has a mixture of everything and I can get down to pretty much all the songs.”
ANDREW HENNINGS
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“I joined it because I was in Mrs. Taylor’s architecture class. I thought it would be really fun, and I like building.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“I expected to be building outside, but I knew we’d have a great team so I’m not surprised that we work fast.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“It definitely helps me when I’m doing random things around the house.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“Being able to relax in the house when we are done.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“My main man, Nolan Krueger. He’s a great leader and because I actually have to look up to him.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“Probably just, for me personally, making sure I’m involved in what everyone’s doing as the lead.”
What special memories do you have from Tiny Home?
“A wall falling on Jonathan last year. Oh and me, I fell off a ladder.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“An impact screwdriver because you can get a lot of work done in a short amount of time.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“I’ll listen to pretty much everything while I’m building. I don’t pay attention to the songs that much. I definitely like Seay’s playlist.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Mike for sure. Every time Mike’s on aux no one knows what’s going on.”
EMILY PETRUNCIO
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“Because I like architecture and construction.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“I thought it was going to be super super strict, but it is a more laid back class as long as you get your work done.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“It teaches me about building homes, time management, and professionalism.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“I’m most looking forward to purchasing all the interior items and going shopping.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“I look up to Madelyn Glenn because she is very smart and she has a really good work ethic.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“I’d say starting off working outside, and doing the framing because framing is very specific and particular.”
What special memories do you have from Tiny Home?
“My favorite memory was when we did the water test. Kane [Anderson] was cleaning up all the water that fell on the floor, and he was arching as he was on all fours pushing with a rag. It was so funny.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“I would be a paintbrush because my body is strong and my head is creative and flexible.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“I like listening to music from the past like 2016s, 17s, and Kane [Anderson]’s music.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
Kane [Anderson] and Mrs. Taylor.
MADELYN GLENN
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“I joined Tiny Home because it was the next step up in architecture classes, and architecture has always been the pathway I’ve wanted to pursue.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“I thought we were going to be outside all year, and I was gonna get really tan or have a heatstroke.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“I’ve learned a lot about how to paint properly and neatly, like those satisfying TikTok videos. I actually really enjoy painting now.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“I am definitely most looking forward to having all the furniture ordered and placed in the house.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“I look up to both Emily and Kane because of how persistent they are to get what they are working on right.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“I think the most difficult part had to have been working outside. I was literally dying every day.”
What special memories do you have from Tiny Home?
“My favorite memory is when me and Kane [Anderson] were sharing a ladder to paint the roof and listening to Mitski through his phone. We were just really giggly and I think it was a bonding moment.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“I would choose the measuring tape because I like to do things right and double check everything.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“I really enjoy listening to the type of music everyone can get down to, like late 2010s.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Kane [Anderson] for sure. I think he’s the only one here who really shares my music taste and I dance to every song he plays.”
DOMINIK TEVINO RUDNY
Why did you join Tiny Home?
“To be interesting, it’s pretty fun to build a house.”
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“It was gonna be about building a house. I don’t know, just the basic idea of building a house and learning all this stuff.”
How does your experience in Tiny Home help you outside of school?
“It gives me valuable knowledge that allows me to do basic stuff at home or in my future employment.”
What part are you most looking forward to for this year?
“Building the last half is pretty interesting.”
And who do you look up to most in Tiny Homes? And why?
“Nolan [Krueger]. He shows me how to do some stuff. I appreciate that.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“For me personally, it was the trim. You have to know geometry to cut those. I’m not a good at geometry.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“I would say a hammer because it’s pretty simple.”
What do you like to listen to while building?
“ I like to listen to rap or country.”
Who’s your favorite person on aux?
“Peyton.”
MISSI TAYLOR
What were your expectations for the Tiny Home this year?
“I wasn’t sure what to expect because we were working outside and then had to stop at the beginning of construction because they wanted us to build inside. I expected to be outside the whole year because we started outside. Am I happy now? I mean, we don’t have any rain days! It’s been a good experience to go outside from inside.”
What is your favorite part of the construction process?
“It’s really seeing every phase that the students can do it. When we first start, and it’s a blank slate and seeing the lightbulb go on for, “that’s why we have to learn that in geometry!” or understanding that you take the floorplan, you draw it in the computer, and then you have to actually build it and understand the materials and the layering of the construction methods.”
What part of the Tiny Home are you most looking forward to?
“Definitely the roof because we haven’t ever done a butterfly roof. So putting the work in that you did to commit to it and actually do it, regardless of the hard angles that we were going to have to experience and cut. Then actually seeing it when we did our water test and watching the water run off, and the way it flows. It looks really nice.”
What has been the most difficult part of construction so far?
“I think the most difficult part for me, as a teacher, is trying to instill good work ethic habits in people. During the interview process, that’s one of my questions. I don’t want to be mean, but at the same time, in real life, you can’t just be slacking off all the time. Even like absences. Just taking on the role and knowing that you’re committing to a team, which is needing you to be present. So that has been the hardest part for me, trying to not hurt anyone’s feelings but at the same time, make sure they understand the importance of it.”
What special memories do you have from Tiny Home?
“It would have to be when Finn and Lucas cut their fingers because that has never happened to me. Seeing the blood and hearing, “Mrs. Taylor, what do I do?” and seeing the blood dripping down their hand. Just being in shock.”
If you had to choose a tool to represent you, what would it be and why?
“The multitool because I can do everything.”
