By SHERRI TAYLOR
News Editor

Students in hard hats and steel-toed work boots pushing their way through a forest doesn't bring to mind a class on most curriculums, but Montgomery High School has one this year.

Vic DuBois, principal at the school in Montgomery, Louisiana was looking for courses to pique the interest of his students and give them a choice in the job market on graduation. He thinks he found it in forestry.

"With so many outdoorsmen and hunters in the area, I thought it might he something students would find interesting," DuBois said. An incident in the past also pushed DuBois in that direction.

He was standing outside at the bus stop with a group of students when one asked him to identify a tree species.

"I discovered the students couldn't recognize the most basic types - sweet gum or oak trees," DuBois recalled.

Another plus for offering a forestry course at Montgomery High was Bill Heath, retired forester turned teacher.

"I didn't have to look far for someone to teach the course," DuBois said.

Already, willing landowners in the area have offered their property for use by the class. Students will go outside, learn to identify trees and plants. They will begin to understand cruising points and how to measure trees. DuBois said Heath will work closely with the U.S.Forest Service as well as the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the LSU AgCenter.

"Forestry takes in a wide spectrum of interests," said Heath. "We will learn about soil, wildlife, forest harvesting and recreation uses for the forest."

The class will visit some log jobs, a sawmill and a papermill during the semester of study. Already they are preparing a leaf notebook.

"We will have experts come in to discuss the endangered species in this area and lecture on other topics," Heath added.

Each class will be limited to 15 kids in order for students to be watched carefully. Safety, according to DuBois and Heath will be a primary concern. Orange vests along with the aforementioned hard hats and boots will be standard gear.

"We're looking for students who are really interested in this area of study," said DuBois. "We want them to get excited about this. My vision for this class is for those completing it to have a working knowledge of forestry."

Another reason for having such a class was that the closest vo-tech school with a class in forestry is in Webster Parish. Students who complete the MHS course will have similar skills.

"We want the students to have something they can market to get a job in this area," Heath said. "With this class, they can have a step up toward getting a job."

Heath, a forester for 33 years, changed careers only a four years ago when he began teaching. He had taught CPR and EMT classes and was hooked on teaching. Today, he is a certified science teacher.

"My concern for young people motivated me to take up teaching," Heath said.

The school needs help from those in the industry in several ways. They can use any equipment available and funds for the project will always be appreciated.

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