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From Blueprints to Bright Futures: Northwood Tech Students Build More Than Houses
April 29, 2025
Construction and cabinetmaking students at Northwood Technical College are turning classroom lessons into real-world skills — and this spring, their work is on full display.
As part of National Woodworking Month, Northwood Tech is spotlighting three students in the program: Theodore Lund, Owen Meurett and Braydon Ahlberg. From fine woodworking to framing and more, these students are building their futures with every project — gaining valuable experience and making a lasting impact along the way.
The public is invited to see their progress during an open house on Wednesday, May 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 1619 Scott Road, Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Guests will have the chance to tour the student-built home and meet the next generation of skilled construction professionals.
While their paths to Northwood Tech may differ, all three students share a common thread — a growing passion for the trades, a strong connection to hands-on learning, and pride in the work they’re doing through the program.
The 2025 Construction and Cabinetmaking program Student House Project home in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
Theodore Lund — Hudson, Wis.
A 2023 graduate of Hudson High School, Lund said he took a few shop classes and enjoyed them, which led him to pursue a career in the trades and enter the workforce right away. He ultimately chose Northwood Tech after hearing positive feedback about the program and the house project that students build from start to finish. After touring the home built by students the previous year, he instantly knew it was what he wanted to do.
For Lund, the highlight of the program has been working on the house project from start to finish.
“I am very proud of the house we built. It was satisfying to see it all come together, and it taught so many new skills. The house will be standing in Rice Lake forever to show off what we have done, and I am very proud of that.”
Lund appreciates instructors Scott Theilig and Mick Rosenow for their support.
Theodore Lund pictured with his cabinetmaking project at the 2025 SkillsUSA Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Conference.
“Scott Theilig has helped me gain confidence both with framing and as an individual. I would also like to shout out Mick Rosenow, who helped hone and develop my finish carpentry skills and taught me the importance of detail.” he said.
Lund plans to graduate in spring 2025 and pursue a career in cabinetmaking. Looking back on his time at Northwood Tech and to his future, he said, “The education I received at Northwood Tech will enable me to get a job with pretty much any construction company. I have a wide range of skills that I can fall back on thanks to this program. This will enable me to hopefully have a successful career and a comfortable life.”
Owen Meurett — Hudson, Wis.
Also a 2023 graduate of Hudson High School, Meurett was drawn to Northwood Tech after taking woodworking classes in high school and thought it was something he could make a career of. He also said, “I attended many career fairs in high school and saw many booths for Northwood Tech, it was a familiar name. When I looked up the 2-year program, I was intrigued.”
Meurett said the learning in the program feels like real-world experience.
“We get to build things at a professional level and are held to a high standard,” he said. “We also get to work alongside professionals in the field and see their standards of work and see different perspectives.”
He’s especially proud of the house project saying, “It’s insane that students our age and skill level are able to build a home at a professional level for someone to live in.”
Owen Meurett pictured with his cabinetmaking project at the 2025 SkillsUSA Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Conference.
Meurett said support from instructors like Theilig and Rosenow has made a big difference.
“They care so much about all of our futures and work tirelessly to make sure we are ready for the real world, and have the best education.”
Braydon Ahlberg — Rice Lake, Wis.
Ahlberg graduated from Rice Lake High School in 2023 and chose Northwood Tech because it was close to home, “It’s based in my hometown, and I could live at home,” he said. “This college had the program I wanted.”
He said he enjoys the full scope of the program — from the instructors to the hands-on projects.
“I love my instructors and the house project build,” Ahlberg said. “I’m super proud to be able to build a house for our program.” He added, “It is pretty amazing to be able to be able to work on every portion of the house and to know that it will be out in the community for a long time.”
During his first year, Ahlberg faced a significant challenge when he suffered a concussion while still attending classes.
“I received a concussion last year will still attending my classes and so trying to accomplish all of my work while dealing with this injury was a struggle,” he said.
He credits his instructors for helping him stay on track.
“My amazing instructors and supervisors that were here to help me along the way and were extremely patient with me,” he said.
Braydon Ahlberg pictured with his carpentry project at the 2025 SkillsUSA Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Conference.
The hands-on learning and strong mentorship from instructors have been defining parts of his experience at Northwood Tech.
“Mick Rosenow, our cabinetmaking instructor, taught me the beauty of fine woodworking and really helped me understand the craft,” Ahlberg said. “And Scott Theilig, our construction instructor, showed me the right way to build a house. He made working with others fun and helped me grow as a leader.”
Ahlberg plans to graduate in spring 2025 and begin working full time for a contractor.
“This program gave me the knowledge and experience to do all kinds of work in the field,” he said. “I’m looking forward to branching out and staying in the trades.”
Northwood Tech’s construction and cabinetmaking program gives students like Lund, Meurett and Ahlberg the skills to succeed and the opportunity to make a real impact — one project at a time.
To learn more about the Construction and Cabinetmaking program, visit NorthwoodTech,edu/Construction.
