Even Santa Claus, and his elves, need a little extra help this time of year.
As such, locals should look no further than Trigg County High School’s Career and Technical Center — which these days feels less like the stodgy “sit-and-get” classroom, and more like the magical extended campus of the North Pole.
Every space in its basement shop is filled with plans, and the busy hands, required to build something special and new for the community and its families.
Be it welded joints for basement I-beam supports, benches made from the recycled wood of the Trigg County Gymnasium renovation, embossed metal signs for a few families, as well as the Cadiz Fire Department’s Wagon No. 1, wood-burned ornaments perfect for Christmas tree decorations, and so much more — the orders just keep coming. And coming. And coming.
The centerpiece of these efforts, and the largest-ever project for the students, is the notorious “Elf Magic Squad” Thomas The Tank Engine tractor.
For the last three or so weeks, and at the request of Squad liaison Jason Meador and his associates, the little diesel that could — first brought to life decades ago on the fictional island of Sodor through British author and priest Rev. W. Awdry — has been undergoing a massive facelift.
And just in time for this Saturday’s Christmas Parade in downtown Cadiz.
Thanks to teacher Nate Grinols and students Kylee Frederick, Tyler Estell, Aiden Goodwin, Wyatt Roeder, JT Fox, Ethan Vinard, DJ McCraw and Jeremiah Lawrence — and a handful of others — its mostly-wooden facade is being replaced with laser-cut and welded sheet metal, matching the frame and bringing the entire tractor’s body more forward.
Merely a freshman, Roeder said every step has been an opportunity to learn.
Grinols said all of the wood on the engine was starting to warp and rot, and something had to be done. He noted it’s the joy of Christmas — and the happiness of children — as key reasons why his classes took on the extra work.
Furthermore, it really just brought Grinols’ lesson plan to life.
Smithing wasn’t the train’s only need. Its diesel engine needed some TLC, as well, and Grinols said mechanic extraordinaire Larry Lawrence stopped by on Wednesday to give it that extra touch.
As the workshop gets busier, students only keep responding to the call.
Frederick, meanwhile, admitted this was the “only kind of math” she could “ever enjoy,” because it was bringing together the community for a good cause.
Some few months back, Meador said he was simply browsing on Facebook Marketplace — when he stumbled upon this used Thomas tractor for sale in White House, Tennessee. He, Josh Holley and Bill Wood had no choice but to run down and snag it.
Little did Meador know what the CTC students could do when asked, or what a delight this would become, in general.
Other notes from CTC:
+ Grinols confirmed Franklin County Schools is donating 10 Power Wave Tungsten Inert Gas, or TIG, welding units to the district. Once the tungsten is purchased, Grinols noted those will come online for students, likely before the end of 2026.
