In an effort to keep the “fish tales” coming and at the request of the Washington Township Police Department, Washington Township High School construction students recently designed and constructed wooden fishing rod racks in support of the police department’s “Cops & Bobbers” program. The racks will be used to house 44 fishing rods that are distributed as part of the “Cops & Bobbers” mentoring program. The program allows children to spend time with police officers while learning to fish.
The program is hosted from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday in June (June 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th) at the lake located at the Washington Township Police Station. The fishing hole has been stocked with fish including bass, trout, sunfish and catfish. In addition to great company and the potential thrill of reeling in a catch, participants are treated to a cookout and have a chance to win trophies. The lucky participant who reels in the biggest fish on opening night will win four complimentary Phillies’ tickets.
WTHS students, under the supervision of teacher Mike Repasy, designed and built the rolling racks out of plywood utilizing tools in their wood shop including table, miter and jig saws, sanders, screw guns, drill presses and routers. CNC routers were used to carve the “Cops and Bobbers” logo in the sides of the carts. The logo was then painted, and the two completed carts were stained and set on casters. From beginning to end, the labor of love was a two to three-week process completed in six or seven class periods.
“Most of the kids in the class didn’t know about the Cops and Bobbers program, but I did because I went with my neighbors a couple times last year,” WTHS senior John Stuzynski said. “They give the kids rods and worms and everything they need to fish. The carts came out good and look really nice. I hope they can use them, store all the poles in them, and I hope they catch a lot of fish.”
“Part of our new mission is community outreach and getting youth involved with our police officers and law enforcement so that we build a relationship with them,” Chief Gurcsik said. “The program is only two years old and is extremely popular. As the event got larger, we began to acquire more fishing rods and reels, through donations from Dick’s Sporting Goods and some residents. It’s important to keep the rods organized so that the lines and hooks don’t get all tangled up. Our school resource officer reached out to Mike Repasy for his students’ help in designing storage for the fishing equipment.”
“My students got to see the design process in use and had an opportunity to test the design,” Repasy said. “The cops seemed to like the finished product a lot. That’s the whole point of having my students take on these projects. We’re not happy until the customer is happy.”
And until the fish are biting.
Pictured (left to right): Washington Township Police Sgt. Eric Caveng, Police Chief Pat Gurcsik, WTHS seniors John Stuzynski, Nick Mouradjian, Mason Baker, River Pinardo, Patrol Officer Nick Schmidt, teacher Mike Repasy, WTHS principal Jonathan Strout and Student Resource Officer Tony Leone.
Pictured: Washington Township Police Sgt. Eric Caveng thanks WTHS senior John Stuzynski for the handmade and donated fishing rod racks that will be used in the Police Departments “Cops and Bobbers” program.
Pictured: The portable carts hold 22 fishing rods a piece and contain the Cops and Bobbers’ logo in the design.
