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Mountain View High School students unveiled the Timberwolf Lodge in April, revealing their transformation of an old cafeteria into a welcoming space for gathering and creative work.
The ribbon-cutting capped a months-long project led by students in economics and personal finance classes. Teacher LaToya Prescod-Williams proposed the effort after learning that the campus needed a more comfortable, inclusive student gathering place.
With Principal Erin Whatley’s approval, Prescod-Williams challenged her classes to design the room from the ground up. Students started with a tentative budget and worked with the school’s building and financial officers to prepare itemized expenses, find materials, and decide what could be reused.
“Project-based learning is at the core of what I do, and my students have loved having ownership of what the space could look like,” Prescod-Williams said.
The students stretched their resources by turning old prom decorations into a colorful photo board. They also partnered with the art department to place student artwork around the lodge.
Budgeting proved to be one of the project’s biggest lessons. Andrew, who graduated in February but returned for the unveiling, said students wanted to avoid overspending and make wise use of every available dollar.
For Lucas, a junior, the highlight was watching the room come together and seeing the enthusiastic response from students and teachers.
The work also gave students opportunities to discover new interests. Sarah, a junior, helped drill materials and build couches, finding that she enjoyed working with power tools. She connected the experience to working on cars at home with her brother.
Prescod-Williams said her broader goal was to give students an unforgettable experience that developed confidence, practical skills, and relationships extending beyond high school.
Sarah hopes students will find the completed lodge comfortable. She said its appearance—and the knowledge that so many people helped create it—makes the space special.