Youth home receives new sign
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
Ronan student Laurel Rigby sprays finish on a sign made by her vo-ag class.
Megan Strickland
Ronan student Laurel Rigby sprays finish on a sign made by her vo-ag class.
Megan Strickland
Ronan student Laurel Rigby helps set up a sign made by her vo-ag class.
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland/Valley Journal Ronan senior Cheyanne Smith polishes a sign made by the Ronan vo-ag class for the Cantlon Family Youth Home.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
Megan Strickland
The Cantlon Family Youth Home receives a new sign made by vocational-ag students at Ronan High School.
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RONAN – The combined generosity of the community and a handful of high school students produced a lasting tribute last week to a Lake County family that spent much of the past three decades caring for children in need.
On Thursday, vocational-ag students from Ronan High School unveiled a sign they made that will reflect the new name of the Lake County Youth Home, which offers a family living setting for children ages 11 to 17. The Lake County Youth Home was renamed the Cantlon Family Youth Home last year, after the death of Charles “Chas” Cantlon, who worked at and directed the facility beginning in 1973.
“It’s just nice to see some recognition for what was his life’s work,” son Nathan Cantlon said. “Back when this started the idea of a family-type youth home was all the rage, but it’s pretty obsolete now.”
Nathan Cantlon noted that his brother Zac Cantlon, mother Cynthie Preston, and stepmother Margie Cantlon also contributed to the home.
“We’ve all done time,” Nathan Cantlon joked. He remembered having 57 foster siblings as a child.
The metal sign in front of the home on Timberlane Drive in Ronan is a lasting monument that will honor the Cantlons for many years to come.
Student Carson Chisholm, a junior, said he and instructor Reese McAlpin spent more than 40 hours fabricating the sign that was designed by art teacher Michelle Mallon. Students used plasma cutting and fire painting techniques to turn a sheet of plain metal into a masterpiece. The handiwork created a 3-D effect with letters that shined in the sunlight as Chisholm hoisted the six-feet wide and three-feet tall behemoth with fellow students Laurel Rigby, Cheyanne Smith, Trent Anderson, and Robert Rider.
Rigby and Smith said they expected the class project to be a bit “ugly” when it was finished, yet its professional style and intricate prettiness took away the breaths of some in attendance at the unveiling who “oohed” and “ahhed” at the craftsmanship.
“The sign is absolutely beautiful,” Ronan High School Vice-Principal Ryan Fisher said at the unveiling. “Reese and his kids did a wonderful job.”
Part of the plasma-cutting equipment for the project was borrowed from a Missoula school, but after the success of the project McAlpin was able to write a grant so Ronan High School will have the technology in its shop. Fisher said it opens the door for students to create more impressive work in the future.
Funds for the sign materials were raised through the “Festival of Trees,” a Christmas-time community event where area businesses decorate trees that are later sold to raise funds for the youth home.
“We thank friends of the festival for supporting the funds to create the sign,” said Brittany Cathy, executive director of the Cantlon Family Youth Home.
The sign and the rest of the home will be on display in a June 10 open house held from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
The Big Productions concert series also raises money for the youth home through musical events offered in Ronan and Polson.
