The Hope 2008 Ready To Launch in Deal Lake
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
 Coaster Photo: Elementary school students at the Hope Academy Charter School in Asbury Park built this boat. |
Students at the Hope Academy Charter School in Asbury Park will be launching a sailboat they made by hand in Deal Lake Mon., Jun 9.
The boat, The Hope 2008, was a year long project made possible through a grant from the Horner Family Trust and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
Beatons Boatyard in Point Pleasant built the mast and sails used on the boat. Everything else was made by students all no older than 14.
The boat was unveiled at a ceremony in the schools gymnasium after Wednesdays launch was cancelled due to poor weather conditions.
The eight students who worked on the boat answered questions from parents, residents and sponsors of the project.
Lyell Gressitt, of Emory Avenue homeschools her child and attended the ceremony to learn about the project.
She asked students if they were nervous to try out their boat.
I am, said one student.
But LaTreece Watson said, I have confidence in my boat.
Most of her fellow classmates agreed.
Terrell Curtis mother was very proud of her son.
Its very good, she said. He did an excellent job.
Terrell, who is in the eighth grade, will be attending Christian Brothers Academy next year.
 Coaster Photo: Elementary school students at the Hope Academy Charter School in Asbury Park built this boat. |
Asked what he learned from the project Terrell said, The different parts of a boat and we learned about water displacement.
Science teacher Sara Blackburn, who has taught at the school for three years, said all of the students contributed in all areas including cutting, sanding, epoxying and painting.
Red Banks Project U.S.E. (Urban and Suburban Education) assisted the school in acquiring grant money for the project.
The boat was made by sixth, seventh and eighth grade students in the upper school.
The boat is made of marine grade plywood, which students cut, epoxied and painted together.
The Hope 2008 is a full-sized boat with seating for three.
When the boat is launched Monday students will take turns with a sailing instructor who will instruct them in steering the boat.
Wood for the project was donated by the Red Bank Youth Project and the blueprint for the boat was provided by a company in Maine.
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