Volunteer High School receives a new kiln for its art room and announces a silent auction

CHURCH HILL, Tenn. (WJHL) – Volunteer High School (VHS) is celebrating the addition of its new furnace after months of collaboration and fundraising, said VHS teacher Gary Hensley.

After the old kiln stopped working, Hensley and his classes teamed up with another class to raise money to buy a new one in the art room. Hensley said students held an Earth Day Jam in the school yard, painted shoes and held a bake sale to raise money.

Hensley isn’t an art teacher at VHS, but that hasn’t stopped him from encouraging his students to take action.

“I hope the students who participated in this project realize that if they see a need and want to make a change, they can do it if they put their mind to it,” he said.

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The community is invited to a VHS silent auction on May 17 from 3 to 7 p.m., featuring pottery and other student artwork. Interested parties are also invited to visit the new oven.

Hensley thanked the community, maintenance staff and Hawkins County Schools for their collaborative effort and donations.

First Baptist Church and Food City in Church Hill also participated in the fundraiser.

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