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“What goes around comes  around.”

The Chisago Lakes High School industrial arts program gave back to the county recently, in a nice full circle moment.  Chisago Lakes was one of several educational grant recipients, a couple years ago as Chisago County dispersed a portion of American Recovery Act/Covid 19 funding. 

The Biden Administration and Congress allocated billions around 2022-2023, sending approximately $12 million to Chisago county.  The massive U.S. wide economic jumpstart helped localities recover from covid-related learning losses and supported one time boosts not related to ongoing payroll or operations.   

A portion was carved out by the Chisago County Board to go to schools for “vocational programming’ and for general academic uses. 

The school districts in Chisago County split $600,000 in total, each grant being based on resident student population.   It was up to the districts how to utilize the money.

Fast forward to 2025 and Chisago Lakes students are presenting a signage project to the county, incorporating the county’s new brand script,  which was only able to be manufactured because the high school got the special grant to buy a technical piece of equipment.

Instructor Scott Leffler told the Press he recently toured a manufacturing facility in Maple Grove and observed the same high school machine in use.  He was cheered to know that the students will be able to walk onto a manufacturing floor as advanced employees,  and know exactly what to do with this technology.

The county’s new sign was created using a four by eight Laguna computer numerical controlled (CNC) device.  Students, or “engineers” as they are known,  are able to perform cutwork programmed into automated movements when they develop skills on this machine.

Pictured are head engineer Weston Stegmeir and lead assistant engineer Phenton Roberts.  

Stegmeir designed the VCarve software sign vectors, Leffler explained. The lead creates the toolpaths and oversees operations, sanding, priming and painting.  The item also is lit on the backside.

Leffler added that the students put in a lot of time, some before and after regular school hours.  “High fives and salutes” to those involved, he continued. The project itself exemplifies the county’s motto printed on the item—to protect, serve and enhance. 

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