Teen helps build house that you can bid on

By Siobhan McAndrew, Reno Gazette-Journal

Amanda Wendland already has built her dream house. She's worked on the foundation, the framing, the roof, the plumbing, the siding and the windows. She even helped to landscape the yard.

But the Sun Valley resident and Academy for Career Education high school senior will have to say goodbye to her labor of love when the 1,870 square-foot house is sold next month.

"I absolutely love that house. It has everything I could ever want," said Wendland, who is one of 22 girls in a school of 188 students at the charter high school.

She will be one of four graduating girls of the ACE class of 2007 on Tuesday at Lawlor Events Center. The 10th-to-12th-grade high school teaches students the construction trade. Each year the school builds a house, and the money raised goes back into school programs.

With her small build, Wendland doesn't fit the stereotype of a buff construction worker, but she's exactly the kind of student the charter high school is proud to call its own.

According to principal, Silvia Marin, the female population at ACE is growing.

"One of our ongoing goals is to market these young women in high school to let them know of the potential careers for them in construction and engineering," Marin said.

Wendland, 18, transferred to ACE from to Spanish Springs High School.

"I've always liked to build things, and when I found out there was a school like this I knew I wanted to go," she said.

Her mom said she struggled in traditional high school but is doing well at ACE.

"She is getting straight A's, and she loves it," said her mom, Patty Huges. "It has been so wonderful for her. I am so proud."

"She's really excelled here," said Leigh Berdrow, vice principal. "She recently placed second in the state in a masonry contest, and she was the only girl competing."

Wendland leaves for school at 5:30 a.m. and takes two buses to get there. Her first class each day has been working on the house.

She spends the rest of the day in academic classes that tie construction to reading, writing, math and science. She said she hopes someday to work in construction management and wants to find a building apprenticeship after graduation. She also wants to go to college.

"Some day I hope I can build my mom a house," Wendland said. "It would be big enough for my whole family, all six of us, and it will have hardwood floors and tons of cabinets.