The Center for Advanced Technical Studies partnered with the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission to create a new display for the annual Holiday Lights on the River event at Saluda Shoals Park.

Students from 3 different programs at The Center collaborated to bring the project to life. The students were commissioned to conceptualize, design, create, and light the new display.

School District 5 students Elizabeth Wheelis (Dutch Fork High School) and Cole DaMoude (Chapin High School) in the Digital Art and Design program at The Center volunteered to design the light display.

Once the design was finalized, the project shifted to the Welding program where students Wes Grindstaff (Spring Hill High School) and Neal Stuck (Chapin High School) constructed the new display.

After forging the metal to meet the specified dimensions, the appropriate welds were made to complete the structure.

The final step in the project was to add the holiday lighting. Dillon Levesque (Spring Hill High School) from the Electrical Design program assisted with the installation of the lights.

The Center for Advanced Technical Studies in School District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties serves students in all 4 district high schools and provides career-focused, high wage and high tech academic programs and courses to prepare students to be college and career ready upon graduation.

Tracy the Triceratops, the students’ finished project, will be on display with over 400 other animated displays until Monday, Dec. 31 during Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park. Visit https://www.icrc.netfor more information.