ATHENS, Ohio — Six Southern High School students wrapped up Vitruvian’s Scorpion 3-D Printing Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
Vitruvian, an Athens-based organization, in partnership with Project RISE (through the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center), made the pre-apprenticeship possible. The students traveled to Athens on Tuesday, May 6, 2026, for their final day of training. They went through the process of moving and running the Scorpion and mixing concrete.
The SHS students participating in the pre-apprenticeship were Xander Alkire, Aden Casteel, Murphy Dunfee, Cooper Diddle, David Lee Jr., and Alexander Owsley.
SHS Senior Murphy Dunfee said during his experience with Vitruvian, he gained valuable hands-on experience working in the construction industry.
“I was especially involved in tasks related to concrete preparation and placement, which gave me a deeper understanding of how foundational elements of a project are completed, " Dunfee explained. “This experience allowed me to see how planning and execution come together on an active job site.”
One of the primary pieces of equipment Dunfee operated was the Scorpion, a machine designed to efficiently transport and pour concrete on the job site.
“Operating and assisting with this equipment taught me how important precision is when handling materials, as even small mistakes can affect the final result,” Dunfee explained. “I also learned how the proper use of tools and machinery can improve both productivity and overall quality on a project. Throughout the internship, I developed a strong appreciation for teamwork, safety, and communication.”
Senior Aden Casteel said the coursework was a little challenging, but when they visited Vitruvian it brought the training to life as he is more of a hands-on learner.
“It was pretty fun. The Vitruvian team made the experience very entertaining. My favorite part was controlling the Scorpion,” Casteel expressed. “It was kind of shocking. I have seen little 3-D Printers. The Scorpion is building houses. I would have never expected that in my life. It’s something you see in a video game. Vitruvian brought it to life.”
Junior Cooper Diddle shared that he was very grateful for his experience at Vitruvian.
“My favorite part of the training was learning new skills and learning how to maneuver something as big as the Scorpion, with little effort,” said Dittle. “I have a certificate that says I can build houses, and I can lay concrete. This will help me with getting a job in the future.”
Fellow junior Xander Alkire said he enjoyed learning new skills and completing the pre-apprenticeship program.
“My favorite part was putting together the Scorpion,” Alkire said. “It was exciting to operate. It felt crazy moving the entire machine with just the press of a button.”
During the first visit to Vitruvian, David Lee Jr. said he felt nervous and worried about making a mistake. However, upon arrival, he explained that the team warmly welcomed the students and provided an overview of the company’s mission and operations.
“I really liked how supportive and friendly the Vitruvian team was, and I enjoyed gaining hands-on experience operating the machines,” noted Lee, a tenth grader. “One challenge was not having enough free time during school to fully focus on the course work. Since I’m a visual learner, I understood a lot more during the field trips and hands-on activities than I did from classroom instruction alone.”
Another SHS sophomore, Alexander Owsley noted that he had an amazing time going through the pre-apprenticeship through Vitruvian.
“My favorite part of the experience was learning how to operate the Scorpion,” Owsley said. “I especially enjoyed learning how to drive it. I appreciate the time and effort everyone put into helping us with the Vitruvian’s 3-D Printing.”
The students were all given certificates of completion and there were also some special awards given to those students who shined during the training process.
The awards were:
Cooper Diddle: Software and Teamwork Award
David Lee, Jr.: Fast Track Award
Alexander Owsley: Muscle Man and Hardworking Guy
Aden Casteel: Breakthrough Student Award
During the final visit, the students mixed sand, cement, water and additives. The students poured concrete into a mold to create a marker featuring the SHS emblem.
By completing the pre-apprenticeship program, the students earned their state recognized 12- point industry credential in digital masonry, alongside work-based learning hours associated with the time engaged with the course.
Depending on their interests and skill levels, it could lead to internships, an apprenticeship, and possible full-time employment.
The fearless leader, SHS Science Teacher Hazel Knotts, who completed Vitruvian’s training, pushed and motivated the students to excel in the challenges of the online course material.
“It was really an amazing experience. But when it came to dealing with the students, it was very challenging. I spent a lot of time trying to motivate the students to continue with the online material and get their work done,” Knotts shared. “There was a huge shift when it came to hands-on experience. You could see the excitement on their faces, and they were really engaged.”
Knotts explained that her own personal curiosity motivated her to complete the 3-D printing training, along with her desire to give students the opportunity to learn skills that may help them level up their futures. She said she is very proud of all the students and what they have accomplished.
Stefano Alva, Director of Operations at Vitruvian raved about how amazing Mrs. Knotts was throughout the whole process, from the online course to the site visits.
“One of the things I appreciate most about working with Southern was to work alongside Mrs. Hazel Knotts. She went through the training with us, and we delivered the Teach the Teacher portion of the program,” Alva explained.
Alva also noted that it was exciting to see the students complete the pre-apprenticeship, especially as the company nears completion of two of the three partially 3D-printed homes in Chauncey.
“A big part of the program is learning the technical aspects of concrete 3-D printing. The other part is a little bit harder to explain. As students go through this project, they are learning something really innovative, cutting edge.” Alva noted. “For them to know they can do the most complicated thing at the edge of the construction industry, it gives students a lot of confidence.”
The support provided by the Southern Local School District, along with Superintendent Tony Deem and SHS Principal Daniel Otto, was instrumental in the successful completion of the pre-apprenticeship program for SHS students.
“Partnerships like the one with Vitruvian and Project RISE are exactly what we strive for as a district,” Deem stated. “When students can gain hands-on experience with innovative technology like 3-D concrete printing, it not only builds skills but also confidence and career direction. We are grateful to everyone who made this opportunity possible for our students.”
“This program gave our students an incredible opportunity to step outside the traditional classroom and engage with cutting-edge technology in a real-world setting,” Otto commented. “Experiences like this help students see a future for themselves in high-demand, high-skill careers, and we are proud of how they represented Southern High School throughout the process.”
The Pre-Apprenticeship Program is designed to prepare students for future careers in advanced manufacturing and construction. The program combines 30 hours of online coursework with three immersive, in-person training sessions. Through this blended learning format, participants gain both foundational knowledge and practical experience with cutting-edge building technology.
By engaging students early with innovative tools like large-scale 3D printers, Vitruvian, and Project RISE, the initiative aims to expand career pathways in the skilled trades while exposing students to the future of construction. The program not only introduces technical skills but also helps participants better understand how automation and digital design are shaping the next generation of building methods.
Project RISE provided critical funding support that made the pre-apprenticeship opportunity possible for participants from SHS. Amy Robinson, Director of Project RISE, helped connect Southern to the amazing opportunity. Her leadership and commitment to expanding career pathways for students played a significant role in creating meaningful hands-on learning experiences that will have a lasting impact on their future success.
“Programs like this do more than teach technical skills — they give students the confidence, experience, and professional foundation needed to succeed in today’s workforce,” Robinson said. “Seeing students discover their potential and gain opportunities they may not have otherwise had is incredibly rewarding, and investing in their future is one of the most important things we can do as a community.”
Thanks to Project RISE and its partners, the SHS students were all given a $500 paid internship for the pre-apprenticeship.
“We wanted to reward the students for their dedication and commitment throughout the program,” Robinson shared. “Internships like this provide students with real-world experience, helping them build confidence, develop career skills, and explore future opportunities beyond the classroom.”
A special thank you to the Vitruvian team for supporting Southern High School students. The team members were:
-Stefano Alva, Director of Operations, Vitruvian
-Shantanu Pagare, Process and WFD Manager, Vitruvian
-Christopher Gordon, Field Operations Manager,
-Raymond Wojcik, Project Engineer
-Hussain Bhavnagarwala, Head of Engineering
All of the SHS students were deeply grateful to everyone who made this experience possible.
“The team is really appreciative of this collaboration, and we all had a lot of fun. We hope to continue to build this pipeline of future workers to support construction and manufacturing,” Alva concluded.
A special thanks to SHS bus driver Melissa Reedy for safely driving students and chaperones back and forth to the Vitruvian in Athens. Additionally, she bravely took on the trip to uptown Athens for delicious food for the students.