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the page about construction workers
BY: BOB MARTIN

ERIC OUDERKIRK
Oversight- Age 32

A football field is visible in the distance as Eric Ouderkirk works on the Biology wing. He played cornerback around 15 years ago when he attended high school in Blue Springs, Missouri. Nowadays he’s in charge of over seeing different projects all around the East jobsite, including the biology wing and gym. So far, Ouderkirk says that he’s enjoyed this job due to the ease he’s had working with people around the site, like his good buddy Brian Sherrets. Outside of his work, Eric can be found playing drums for the local band “Film at 11” who describe themselves as bringing a new style of music they call grunge-pop.

LINDY BAXLEY
Roofer- Age 60

Hailing from South Carolina, Lindy Baxley has been working roofing jobs for 39 years, 30 of which have been in the Kansas City metro area. Since the beginning of summer, Baxley’s been hard at work asphalting all around the campus and doing the time consuming job of removing and replacing delicate skylights. Shawnee Mission East’s renovations are sophisticated compared to the wooden frame school he recalls attending as a child. This job site’s different from what Baxley is used, because there are at all times students and faculty roaming around. “It’s different,” Baxley said with a laugh. “We have to park way back there [on Delmar] now, since the students are back.” When the long workday at East is done, Baxley likes to sit down, relax and watch Judge Judy, or maybe catch up with the grandkids in Myrtle Beach.

BRIAN SHERRETS
Labor Foreman, Forklift Operator- Age 29

The Shawnee Mission District is familiar ground for Brian Sherrets. This construction worker of 11 career years went to Northwest and recently had a job working on Shawnee Mission West. Being on the East Campus since the beginning of summer, Brian thinks highly of the landscaping and general look of the place. The long timeframe of the project is the only concern. “We’ve got no room,” Sherrets said, referring to space constrictions around the site. He has high expectations for the final result though, “Should be good after the millions of dollars they’re putting into it,” Sherrets said confidently. Even when he’s off work, the outdoors is a comfortable place for Brian. When the week’s over, Brian enjoys riding four-wheelers and snowmobiles.

ERIC DEGASE
Masonary Foreman- Age 48

Times have changed quite a bit for Eric Degase since the Marryville High graduating class of ’78. He’s no longer socially stuck between the “Jocks and the Druggies”, and racing hot rods isn’t one of his weekend activities anymore. Eric is still in high school though, sort of. Working as a masonry foreman, Degase has been looking over a lot of the brickwork being done on the additions to East’s science wing, making sure everything is in top shape. Relatively new to the site, Eric is confident that the finished East will be “better than any of ‘em yet”. When getting away from masonry, Eric enjoys camping, water skiing and being in general a couch potato, all in the company of his loving wife.

DID YOU KNOW?
-Many people enter the construction industry right out of high school without any formal classroom training. Laborers can learn their job in a couple days, but skilled workers such as carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers and other trade specialists either need several years of informal on-the-job experience or apprenticeship training.
-Many people enter the construction industry right out of high school without any formal classroom training. Laborers can learn their job in a couple days, but skilled workers such as carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers and other trade specialists either need several years of informal on-the-job experience or apprenticeship training.