Fort Wood Hotels Teams Up with Waynesville Career Center for Billboard Project

Fort Wood Hotel was recently given the opportunity to work with Waynesville Career Center to help a high school student complete class credit before having to move with his father and family due to military relocation. We were honored to be able to work with such a hardworking student! Joshua LeMasters, was a student at Laquey High School taking Graphic Design at the Waynesville Career Center. Joshua was able to use the skills he used in his Graphic Design course to help us design a new billboard for Fort Wood Hotels! Read on to learn about Joshua's experience in helping us design our new billboard.

Joshua LeMasters, Laquey High School student taking Graphic Design at the Waynesville Career Center:

What did you like most about this project?

What I liked most about the project was how it was my first experience working with a real world client. Before the project, I hadn't really done anything other than entering competitions or basic assignments in class. Working with Fort Wood Hotels gave me an opportunity to become more experienced, and I am thankful for that.

What did you learn from the project?

I learned from working on this project that however hard you work, you still need to be prepared to do more. I had made multiple designs that I personally was happy with, but it just wasn't what my client was looking for. Redoing the project allowed me to improve it in ways that I didn't think were possible, and the end result shows. Had I stopped after the first revision, I wouldn't have grown.

What motivated you to see it thru to the end if while you were faced with relocating?

I was motivated to see it through to the end for no other reasons then closure, and to satisfy the customer. My relocating date could have been pushed earlier and I still would have been determined to finish what I had started because it just wouldn't sit well with me if I didn't finish a design, our the customer didn't get what they wanted.

Final Billboard Designed Joshua LeMasters

Short Bio - Joshua LeMasters

I am interested in many things, however, what really catches my eye is computers and art. I appreciate it more than I can produce it, but this is where graphic design comes in. I am very talented when it comes to computer software, and graphic design allows me to delve into the world of art through the computer. I have moved a total of eleven times throughout my life, 4 of which were during my high school years. We've had to move this much because my dad is military, and although he just retired not too long ago, he was in for 20 years. Although there have been some hard times that come with moving every few years, I'd say it was for the better and it made me who I am today. I have made many friends through the years and have had many good opportunities; I am glad for that.

Donna Grooves - Waynesville Career Center, Graphic Design Teacher:

Why did you choose this project? How did the concept get started? Past Projects?

We decided to take on the student internships with Judy Fortner after doing a billboard design for a local lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks. The students really enjoyed competing and creating real-world designs for the clients.

What does this type of project teach the students?

The students have an opportunity to engage in a client relationship that otherwise that wouldn't experience until maybe even after college.

Does it help students decide a career path for college?

All projects in CTE (Career and Technical Education) courses are designed to guide the students into the many career pathway options that are available.

How were the students focus and drive during this project?

My student, Joshua LeMasters, never stopped working until it was a piece of work he could be proud to show to a client.

Short Bio - Donna Grooves

This is my 5th year teaching at Waynesville Career Center. Prior to teaching, I owned a local business, Vivid Impressions LLC which I sold shortly after receiving the position at WCC. I have had the opportunity to expose our Design students to various career pathways opportunities through SkillsUSA competitions and local non-for profit organizations in the area like the Pulaski County Library District. Some of our best work can be seen on the students very own portfolio sites that they create their Junior year with me and continue to keep updated even throughout college.

Rick Morris, Director of Operation for Fort Wood Hotels by Ehrhardt Properties

Our partnership and collaboration with the Waynesville Career Center and their programs is a win-win-win opportunity. The Student gets real-life opportunities to collaborate with Local Business leaders and perform tasks that are relevant to their areas of interest. The Program wins when students gain real-life experiences and gain skills to better prepare them for the future and our Local Businesses win in supporting these endeavors!

Judy Fortner, Director of Sales & Marketing

It is a pleasure to work with the students and get fresh, new ideas from young minds. I also enjoy watching what they can do, it is amazing to see the quality of work they are capable of while they are still in high school. It is a great learning experience to get to work with an actual business and get the first-hand experience. I wish I could have done that in college. These kids get to see if they want to do this type of work before they even go to college. Working with Josh was a pleasure. He wanted to get it right and listened to my comments. I told him we were looking for a way to thank the Military in a patriotic billboard and he came up with the silhouette of a Military Graduation which is what Fort Leonard Wood is known for. That was a great touch! He had to do some things over or adjust them but together we made a great project!

Fort Wood Hotels in the Community

At Fort Wood Hotels, we love being able to be a part of such a great community! Partnering with the Waynesville Career Center was a pleasure and we hope to have the opportunity in the future. Both working with young individuals in our community and finding new ways to honor those who serve in our Military are both extremely important to us at Fort Wood Hotels. The next time you plan to visit our Fort Leonard Wood community, be sure to book your stay at one of six hotels in St. Robert, Mo!

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