Hamilton High School junior Evelyn Boeve is making big strides in building her future—literally. As a student in the Ottawa Area ISD’s Careerline Tech Center (CTC) construction program, Evelyn is learning valuable skills that she believes will benefit her for years to come.
“I do this program because I have family that does construction and HVAC, and I can use these skills in jobs that I do in the future,” Evelyn shared. “Right now, we’re working on how to do framing, and I’ve learned life skills on how to build houses and things I can use when I own a home.”
Evelyn’s involvement in the program reflects her eagerness to step outside the traditional classroom setting and into a more hands-on learning environment. She credits the partnership between Hamilton Community Schools and CTC for giving her the chance to explore her interests in a meaningful way.
“I’m really grateful that Hamilton does this with the CTC because it gives me more opportunities to do things outside of class and allows me to do more hands-on things,” she said.
The construction program has not only taught Evelyn technical skills but also helped her gain confidence in navigating what she calls a “male-dominated field.”
“I don’t really know what I want to do in the future, but it’s really shown me that I can learn more about trades in male-dominated fields. It’s shown me that I can do more than I thought I could,” she explained.
While her exact career path remains undecided, Evelyn knows the skills she’s acquiring will always be valuable. Whether helping with her family business of Boeve Heating & Cooling or pursuing her interest in youth ministry, the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience she’s gaining now will serve her well.
Hamilton Community Schools is proud to see students like Evelyn thrive in programs that encourage exploration, creativity, and skill-building beyond the traditional classroom. For Evelyn, it’s an opportunity to not only learn but also to discover her potential and broaden her horizons.
“I might help out with the family business and may do some youth ministry work,” she said with a thoughtful smile. “But no matter what, these are skills I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.”
As Evelyn continues framing walls and framing her future, she serves as a shining example of how Hamilton students are preparing to make an impact in our community and beyond.
